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.

This is an outstanding Audie Murphy western. Directed by George Marshall who also directed the 1939 version this film manages to be as good with a slightly different, more dramatic style. Audie is an ideal Tom Destry, with a young boy's face and stature, but with self confidence. Mari Blanchard as Brandy has the talent and looks. The film reaches its high point when Murphy is made fun of by the bad guys at the saloon and replies by showing how he can handle guns. The final shootout is excellent with Murphy and Lyle Bettger seeing each other though a mirror. Probably because Audie and George Marshall made many average films, Destry did not get the praise it deserved from the critics.

This NEEDS to be released on DVD! It has all of the content necessary to be a great western. All of the acting is good, and the dialog is good, the camera-work and sets and costumes. Everything about this movie is good. It's a solid Western as they used to be made. It gives as good as "Destry Rides Again". Sure, it doesn't have Jimmy S., but then his presence doesn't a western make.This is one of those movies that isn't even available on VHS except the rare old deteriorating copies that are floating out in the universe of crumbling static-filled fuzzy video tape. Our local library used to have a VHS copy of it about a decade ago and then something happened to it and it disappeared from the shelves. Haven't seen another copy since.A restored DVD version would also do well to complement the "Destry Rides Again" movie. I mean, there are probably a bunch of people out there saying "Destry Rides Again... hmm, he's riding again? Where did he ride originally?". That's when they'll come looking for this movie... you corporate guys should be smelling profit by now.