Destry *** (1954, Audie Murphy, Mari Blanchard, Lyle Bettger, Lori Nelson, Thomas Mitchell) – Classic Movie Review 8260

In 1954 director George Marshall recycles his own famous 1939 movie hit Destry Rides Again as a vehicle for Universal’s cowboy star, Audie Murphy, now renaming the work simply Destry. A very nearly shot-by-shot remake of the 1939 production, but with the benefit of colour, it is only a modest Western this time, but it is entirely watchable, entertaining even.

In the old James Stewart-Marlene Dietrich roles, Murphy as the peace-loving sheriff Tom Destry and Mari Blanchard as the barroom chantoose Brandy comparatively cut little ice, though Murphy is certainly well ahead of his co-star. But there is compensation in the scene-stealing work in the character actor support from the likes of Lyle Bettger, Thomas Mitchell, Edgar Buchanan, Alan Hale Jr and Wallace Ford. Mary Wickes is also fun as the campy Bessie Mae Curtis.

Also in the cast are Lori Nelson, Lee Aaker, Trevor Bardette, Walter Baldwin, George Wallace, Richard Reeves, Frank Richards, Mitchell Lawrence, Ralph Peters and John Doucette.

Edmund H North and D D Beauchamp adapt the Max Brand novel, with a story by Felix Jackson. George Robinson shoots in Technicolor.

The Max Brand story was also filmed in 1932 with Tom Mix, under its full title of Destry Rides Again.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8260

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