Movie Monday Review: Destry Rides Again

Destry Rides Again (1939)

Starring: Jimmy Stewart, Marlene Dietrich, Una Merkel, Charles Winninger, Mischa Auer, Brian Donlevy, Irene Hervey, Jack Carson, Samuel Hinds, Tom Fadden, and Joe King

Summary

The town of Bottleneck is the roughest, toughest, shootenest town you can find in the Old West. The only law and order there is held together by Sheriff Keogh (Joe King), however, even he doesn’t have much of a chance. When Lem Claggett (Tom Fadden) begins to win big in an upstairs poker game, saloon owner Kent (Brian Donlevy) wants to fix it. Knowing he can’t win honestly, he decides to fix it so that he not only wins back what he lost, but also wins more. Calling up Frenchy (Marlene Dietrich), the top gal in town, he sets the stage. With Frenchy as a distraction, he manages to “win” the game, meaning he wins the pot and Claggett’s ranch. Claggett knows he has been wronged, but is thrown out. Sheriff Keogh finds out about this and sets out to do something.

In a private meeting, the Sheriff ends up “disappearing”, at least that’s what those in the saloon believe. Kent knows better and that with the Sheriff dead, no one can stop him from taking Claggett’s ranch. Calling Mayor Slade (Samuel Hinds), the less than reputable mayor and judge in Bottleneck, they elect a new Sheriff to take over for Keogh. Who better than the town drunk, Wash Dimsdale (Charles Winninger).

Wash, the town drunk

Amid riotous laughter, Wash realizes that he has to take his new job seriously. Instead of staying the town drunk and just ignoring the evils going on around him like Kent wants, Wash turns sober. He wants to return to the old days, when he was a deputy for the famous Sheriff Destry…best cowboy in the west! Yet, unlike those days, he doesn’t have Destry to work alongside, or does he? Wash immediately sends for Destry’s son, Tom Destry, Jr. (Jimmy Stewart).

Tom coming in on the stage

Wash tells the whole town they had better be careful, because Destry will clean them out, but good! He makes arrangement with the local boardinghouse owner, Lily Belle Calahan (Una Merkel), for Tom to stay. Meanwhile, Wash tries to keep law and order around town, which proves a difficult task. When Boris Callahan (Mischa Auer), Lily Belle’s Russian, second-husband (for you see…her first husband, Callahan, was the best man alive) gets involved in a card game with Frenchy, he gets in a little over his head. With nothing left to bet, Boris finally bets his pants, which Frenchy would gladly get, if only to embarrass Boris. The game is cooked, and Frenchy wins…gladly taking his pants.

Boris about to lose to a card sharp

Tom comes in on the stage, also occupied by brother and sister, Janice (Irene Hervey) and Jack (Jack Carson) Tyndall. Tom is content to carve napkin rings, but Jack is just mad! Jack is a rancher and anxious to get at it, but is infuriated at the driver for hitting every bump along the way. Arriving in Bottleneck, Jack pushes the driver around and the town is impressed, thinking this is the “tough” Destry! That’s when Tom comes out, carrying Miss Tyndall’s parasol and birdcage. The town is fit to bust with laughter at the so-called “tough” deputy who carries a parasol. Tom laughs it off, but Wash can’t stand the idea. Kent believes this is a reprieve.

Kent believes all will be well

Heading over to the saloon, Tom is seen as harmless when he tells Kent he isn’t even wearing a gun, finally ordering a glass of milk. While the town laughs, Tom smiles and often mentions that “he knew a fella once…”

Frenchy suggests that Tom can "clean up" the town

Lily Belle has discovered that her husband has been fooled and races over to the saloon to confront Frenchy. Soon, a cat fight ensues and the fight goes on awhile. With the town laughing, Tom seems to be amused at the situation. However, as Deputy of Bottleneck, he feels it his duty to stop it. Throwing a bucket of water on the two women, he soon ends the fight. With Lily Belle running out of the saloon, Frenchy soon attacks Tom for “breaking up her triumph”. Tom pretty quickly runs from her, but it won’t be the end.

Breaking up a cat fight

Wash is greatly ashamed of the fact that Tom seems to be a wimpy fella who doesn’t wear guns. Tom assures him, that he knows what it takes, but also watched his father get shot in the back and he wants to try changing the town without guns. Of course, it reminds him of a fella he once knew.

Frenchy didn't want the fight broken up!

When the Claggetts try to defend their land against Kent, Wash and Tom head out to the ranch. Unfortunately, the law is on Kent’s side this time, because he has the evidence. Tom is not convinced that it’s correct, but leans on Kent’s side for the time being. He’d really like to know why Sheriff Keogh just “left town” on a whim, leaving behind his things.

Lily Belle, Janice, and Wash

Tricking Frenchy into telling him about the death of the Sheriff, he soon looks for a new recruit. Boris becomes the next Deputy of Bottleneck and begins helping Tom and Wash to spy on the “enemy”. Frenchy is intrigued by a man who isn’t “tough”, but actually believes she’s beautiful, even without paint on her face.

Frenchy

With the cattle in town, Jack Tyndall needs to move them out. He threatens to get tough, that’s when Tom proves that he does know how to use a gun by shooting the points off a sign. Nevertheless, Jack must have his way. Unfortunately, it means he has to go through Claggett’s land, now owned by Kent, who is charging cattlemen to cut across his land. Jack won’t stand for this and fights his way through. Tom arrests him, but convinces him to calm down and “temporarily” pay the fee in order to trap Kent.

Jack with Tom

Between Boris and Wash’s faithful spying, they follow one of Kent’s man Gyp (Allen Jenkins) until they find Sheriff Keogh’s body. Bringing Gyp in, they arrest him for murder. Kent thinks he has the upper hand, because the mayor is also the judge. Planning a rigged court, Mayer Slade plans the trial quickly. Unknown to him, Tom has arranged for another judge to come to town. When Kent discovers this, he storms the jail, killing Wash and freeing Gyp. Frenchy distracts Tom, in the hopes that he won’t get killed. Tom knows that he must do something stronger now, he puts on his guns.

The women have arrived

The whole town is out now, a gunfight ensues. When Frenchy beraits the women of the town for not doing anything to support their men, they head out, sticks in hand, to help. Soon, the saloon is completely filled and Tom can’t reach Kent. Frenchy realizes that Kent intends to kill Tom, she attempts to warn him. In time, but too late, Frenchy takes the shot intended for Tom, right before Tom gets Kent. The town is now free of Kent, but Tom is not so sure it was worth the lives of Wash and Frenchy.

Kent with the Mayor

The town is now cleaned up and Tom is back to carving napkin rings and telling stories of “fellas he knew”, not wearing guns, for there is no need. Of course, the Tyndalls are still in town and things are looking rather friendly with Janice!

Review

A classic western of the olden days. Seemingly an odd pairing of Jimmy Stewart and Marlene Dietrich, it is effective to compare the two very different on-screen personalities. The story is one that flies in the face of the classic “tough guy” hero that is usually portrayed in westerns. Jimmy Stewart does an excellent job of playing the at-ease persona, with home-spun wisdom, and a good sense of humor.

This western has a touch of comedy, especially when it concerns Russian comedian actor Mischa Auer (from My Man Godfrey). The banter that flies between Jimmy Steart and Mischa Auer plays well into their characters, allowing for an entertaining experience.

Boris and Lily Belle after he loses his pants

Unique enough, the cat fight between Marlene Dietrich and Una Merkel was not choreographed, nor did they use stunt doubles. It is said the two were badly bruised after that.

A slight touch of romance, it is still difficult to determine whether Destry belongs with Frenchy (which we all doubt) or with Miss Tyndall (which we all hope). Nevertheless, all works out in the end, allowing for Destry to make the right decision.

Tom with Frenchy and Kent

If at all possible, stay away from Marlene Dietrich’s songs, for she isn’t the best singer. Granted, her voice fits the era, but otherwise is slightly laughable.

Another version of this movie was made in 1954 with Audie Murphy, titled Destry. If you get the chance, check it out. Also well done, and perhaps better suited. Unique qualities for a remake.

Audie Murphy in Destry

Enjoy this western, with its ups and downs, good and bad, sad and happy, serious and funny.

Ellen Nolan