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.

I saw Destry Rides Again when I was 10 years old and Destry 4 years later. I thought the 1st was great but that the remake was even better and both versions lived in my memory over the years. Am I able to still say that 40 years later?Gunless and seemingly chinless man is called upon to clean up lawless wild west town much to the gang of baddies initial amusement and eventual regret. Audie Murphy was called upon to re-enact for Technicolor audiences James Stewart's pre-War original after a mere 15 years. It's a straightforward almost frame for frame remake, yet with some subtle yet utterly pointless differences, almost as if deliberately to stamp a minute independence from the original. From now having seen the original about 30 times more than the remake: the remake's colour is OK but the original b&w, lighting and therefore atmosphere was way better; characterisation and acting in the original was topnotch, believable and trod a fine comedic line perfectly, acting was OK in the remake but characterisation was almost non-existent; the original script was slavishly followed except the remake didn't want to trash the expensive sets and props for the final fight scene; the songs sung by Marlene Dietrich became world famous classics, in the remake the songs were brash and instantly forgotten.I still enjoyed this version, only it's a colourful pale imitation of the classic original, imho one of the best films ever made. To Western fans who can't cope with black and white films made in prehistory the remake version will do for you, indeed it will have to do for you.

I've seen both versions, 1939 and 1954, more then once or twice. The only saving grace for the latter is that the supporting cast is pretty good. I respect his outstanding war record, but Murphy was only a mediocre actor on his best day. Even when he portrayed himself in "To Hell and Back" his acting style is plodding and dull. Stewart could play a role low key and then show a range of emotions when called on to do so - he was a true artist in that regard. Murphy seems almost dull witted at times. Stewart had an outstanding military record that was, at times, used to lend credibility to some of his roles. It was unfortunate that Murphy was exploited just because his war record was deemed to be a box office draw, but he just couldn't act.

Sometimes remakes do turn out for the best and Audie Murphy was a perfect in the casting of another edition of the Destry saga. I will say this though, Destry's grown up considerable. Audie uses some forensic science to clean up the town and the final gunfight is played a bit more seriously than in the James Stewart-Marlene Dietrich classic.For those who haven't seen either film, a certain crooked saloon keeper/ town boss has been grabbing land by hook or crook and kills the sheriff who's opposing him. Lyle Bettger is every bit as nasty as Brian Donlevy was. Bettger gets the idea to make the deputy, Thomas Mitchell, the sheriff. Mitchell is the town drunk, but Mitchell fools them and sends for the son of legendary lawman Tom Destry to be his deputy.When Audie Murphy as Destry comes to town it's without wearing firearms, but in his own quiet way Audie gets results.Of course saloon girl Mari Blanchard ain't a patch on Marlene Dietrich, but that's pretty stiff competition for anyone. Edgar Buchanan is the mayor and does his usual foxy and calculating part and we're not quite sure where he'll wind up in the end.Destry is one of Audie Murphy's better B westerns from the Fifties and it shows with the right casting, a classic can be done well a second time.