Karry Best movie of this year hands down!

Lawbolisted Powerful

Derry Herrera Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

Zlatica One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

JohnHowardReid Copyright 18 August 1954 by Universal Pictures Co., Inc. No New York opening. U.S. release: 1 January 1955. U.K. release: February 1955. Australian release: 18 February 1955. Sydney opening at the Capitol: 18 February 1955 (ran one week). 8,544 feet. 95 minutes. SYNOPSIS: Mild-mannered deputy tackles the crooked saloon owner of Restful.NOTES: Third version of the 1930 Max Brand novel. Tom Mix starred in the 1932 movie, directed by Ben Stoloff from a script by Richard Schayer, with Claudia Dell as "Frenchy". This latter part was a natural for Marlene Dietrich in the 1939 version, directed by George Marshall no less. James Stewart was also perfectly cast as Tom Destry.VIEWER'S GUIDE: An unsavory fight between two women plus the usual "A"-western violence make this film unsuitable for children.COMMENT: While it is not a patch on the 1939 movie, Destry emerged in 1994 (the first time it was shown in color on local television) as solid entertainment. (It has since been re-broadcast many, many times). Audie Murphy makes a most suitable Destry, and there are equally sound character portrayals from the likes of raspy-voiced, crookedly smiling Lyle Bettger (our favorite heavy of the 1950s — and cast here in a major role), venal Edgar Buchanan (always a reliable player, but we like him best as the sort of frighteningly comic, seedy villain he plays here), Wallace Ford as a henpecked medico and Alan Hale as a brawny but not over-bright trail boss.As for Mari Blanchard, she plays well enough, but lacks the gusto of her dubbed singing voice. Overall, she has little charisma. Although adequately attractive, there's nothing to distinguish her from any other well-trained Universal starlet.The movie has been appealingly mounted in sets and costumes. Marshall has directed with pace and reasonable style. The climactic shoot-out is excitingly staged. And there are plenty of extras milling around. The script is suspensefully plotted, interestingly characterized and crisply dialogued. All told, despite comparisons with the 1939 movie, this re-make is nonetheless well worth seeing. P.S. I didn't mention Lori Nelson because her role is small. As for veteran Thomas Mitchell, he has the sort of role he can play standing on his head.

mark.waltz While the most remembered version of this often filmed story was a remake itself, this one lacks the magic in its casting of the leads. Mari Blanchard lacks the exotic fire of Marlene Dietrich, and sweet looking Aydie Murphy doesn't have the acting chops of James Stewart. So magic doesn't strike for the fourth time here, even with the color added and the presence of a magnificent supporting cast. I have yet to see "Frenchie" where Shelley Winters takes on the role of the cynical corrupt saloon girl reformed by love.To summarize the plot, a deputy without a gun tries different means to tame a wild town, but it's corrupt even in small size from mayor Edgar Buchannan all the way down to the lush doctor (Wallace Ford). Lyle Better is the hard shooting racket running villain who has helped the town decrease in its attempt at a peaceful existence. The always wonderful Mary Wickes gets the part of the doctor's tough wife who gets into a scrape with Blanchard and seems to mop the floor with her, unlike Una Merkel tried with Dietrich.Thomas Mitchell is excellent as the former deputy, now town drunk, made sheriff after Bettger kills the previous one. Lori Nelson and Alan Hale Jr. fill out other important parts. Some rather poor songs take over at the saloon, pleasantly sung but forgettable. This is entertaining, but obviously unnecessary, but the mid 1950's were filled with mediocre remakes of cinematic gems. To think that a Broadway version was just around the corner is perplexing even though it was a hit. Since this version, nobody has tried to remake it again, and only time will tell if it happens again.

Tweekums When a man claims that he has been cheated out of his ranch in a game of poker by saloon owner Phil Decker the Sheriff goes to investigate; at first Decker seems reasonable even saying that he will return the man's ranch but as the sheriff turns to leave he is shot in the back. The town is clearly in Decker's pocket or terrified of him as the doctor certifies that the sheriff died of a heart attack and the mayor appoints Reginald T. 'Rags' Barnaby, the town drunk, as his replacement. What they didn't suspect was that Rags would take the job seriously; swearing to stop drinking and appointing Tom Destry, son of a legendary no nonsense lawman, to be his deputy. Rags is in for a disappointment when Destry arrives though...he emerges from the stagecoach unarmed and carrying a birdcage and a parasol! Decker's heavies have a good laugh when they see him; clearly he has made a poor first impression. He isn't quite the joke everybody things though and when he hears rumours about the old sheriff he starts to investigate; asking the right questions and even collecting bullets for a forensic examination. Inevitably though he will eventually have to strap on a gun and face Decker the old fashioned way... a western can't just end with an arrest! As well as having villains to deal with a western needs some potential love interest and here it is provided by Brandy; the saloon singer who helped Decker cheat at cards and Martha Phillips the nice girl he is clearly 'meant to be with'.As I've yet to see 'Destry Rides Again' I can't say how this compares but I did find this to be an enjoyable western; Audie Murphy is ideal in the role of the soft spoken Destry as he doesn't look like a traditional Hollywood tough guy despite an actual war record that proves he was more heroic than better known western stars. It helps that he was supported by s fine cast Lyle Bettger is suitably unpleasant as Decker, Thomas Mitchell was entertaining as Rags and Mari Blanchard was just right as Brandy; the bad girl who might just come good. There isn't a huge amount of action but what there is is pretty good and there is plenty of tension as we know our hero is unarmed most of the time.. there is also a rather entertaining fight between Brandy and another woman that ends with both of them getting soaked when Destry pours a bucket of water over them. With a good story, solid action and a surprising number of laughs I'd say this is well worth watching if you are a fan of the genre and a must see for fans of Audie Murphy.

smitty-45 I'm giving this ten stars because the film combines comedy, action, suspense and drama in a natural way that is rare during this period in films. "Rides Again" with Stewart is fun but decorated war hero Audie Murphy is more believable in the role of "Destry." In fact, any time the skinny and frail Stewart plays a tough guy it is very hard to accept - even though you want to because of his undeniable charm and quality acting ability. Audie Murphy in contrast - while not the dramatic actor Stewart was - has a boyish charm coupled with a believable tough guy side - when Murphy got serious and tough - you believed it! Let's face it he was a courageous and brave man in real life - as he was one of the most decorated war veterans of all time. This movie is chock full of entertainment for the entire family. It is not available yet on DVD but if you write the studio perhaps they'll release it. Look for it on cable and don't miss it!