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I'm a big fan of Audie Murphy, but even I willingly admit that most of his movies are mediocre at best. That being said, AMC has been running some Audie Murphy movies that I've never been able to see before...and much to my surprise, I found myself thoroughly enjoying "Destry"! Whenever the studios cared enough to surround Audie Murphy with top-quality supporting players (such as Thomas Mitchell, Edgar Buchanan, Alan Hale, Jr., and Lyle Bettger in this film), Audie's performances always rose to the level of those around him. Everyone is good in this movie, with very little of the over-acting that was the style then.

I saw the Dietrich/Stewart version many years ago...I've never liked Marlene Dietrich and never understood what the big deal with her was, but Jimmy Stewart tops the list of my favorite actors, so it surprises me that I honestly can't remember a single scene from their film. The Murphy remake, however, has some really nice moments that have stuck with me. I'm sure I'll offend a lot of people by saying the following, but Mari Blanchard has more beauty and sex appeal than Dietrich ever DREAMED of having. Mari Blanchard is absolutely stunning in this film.

As for the technical end, I found the directing good, the script devoid of the usual brainless dialog and plot holes that many B Westerns of the time seemed burdened with, and the score was not intrusive. People seem to think this is a comedy, but it is not...it is a Western with humor in it...there's a difference. The humor is derived from the real situations, but never descends into broad comedy with pratfalls and nonsense.

Many Audie Murphy films are good for a single viewing and can be forgotten, but "Destry" is definitely worth repeat viewing. If you run across it, I highly recommend checking it out...there is good stuff throughout.

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!

RELEASED IN 1954 and directed by George Marshall, "Destry" is about a tough Western town run by corrupt local mogul Decker (Lyle Bettger) and the Mayor who's in league with him (Edgar Buchanan). They appoint a drunk as the new Sheriff (Thomas Mitchell) because they know he'll be easy to control, but the Sheriff hires as his deputy the out-of-town son of an expert lawman for whom he used to work (Audie Murphy). Unfortunately, when Destry (Murphy) comes to town he quickly becomes a laughing stock because he refuses to even carry a gun!

The film is a remake of Marshall's 1939 hit "Destry Rides Again," which was a remake of the 1932 movie of the same name, a closer rendition of Max Brand's novel. Marshall desired to do the film again because he wanted to do it in color and thought he could improve upon it. While most critics say "Destry" is inferior I give it the edge because (1.) it's in color, (2.) Murphy is stalwart as the humble-yet-confident protagonist, and (3.) Mari Blanchard is hotter than Marlene Dietrich as the saloon entertainer and has the mojo to pull off the challenging role. Blanchard's saloon babe of dubious character is counterbalanced by Lori Nelson's character.

Another thing I appreciate about "Destry" is that it supports the concept of LIMITED pacifism, which is the ideology that one should only resort to violence when there's no other recourse, after more peaceable means have been sought and proved ineffective. This, by the way, is what Christ and the early church subscribed to, as detailed in the New Testament, not the idea of TOTAL pacifism, which is the idiotic mindset that a person should NEVER resort to violence in any form, even when loved ones and innocents are threatened.

The Messiah's teaching on "turning the cheek" didn't refer to responding to criminal acts and, particularly, not to a law officer responding to potentially violent criminality. Slapping someone on the cheek was considered a personal insult in 1st century Near East and therefore when Jesus instructed people to "turn the cheek" he was simply illustrating that ignoring an insult a couple of times (you only have two cheeks) is a matter of wisdom & self-control and is a good way to stave off unnecessary strife, which effectively squelches the escalation of violence (not always, but generally speaking). It helps prevent you from being victimized by fools who want to draw you into their darkness and ruin your day (or week or life). This was nothing new at the time because the Old Testament taught the same principle (e.g. Proverbs 19:11).

THE MOVIE RUNS 95 minutes and was shot at Universal Studios, Universal City; Janss Conejo Ranch, Thousand Oaks; and Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California. WRITERS: Edmund H. North & D.D. Beauchamp from Felix Jackson's story based on Brand's book.

GRADE: A-

OK, it's probably not a good idea to try to remake a classic as with this film and George Marshall's "Destry Rides Again".............but don't sell it too short. Max Brand's sentimental potboiler has seen many versions from Tom Mix's (1922) through a failed TV series in the 60's but this Audie Murphy attempt could be worse. Murphy who confessed that he couldn't act surely gave it a try during his career and was particularly good in "A" productions such as "The Unforgiven". He was attractive enough and rather appealing.....hell, he probably was a better actor than Roy Rogers. This film provides a showcase for his genial screen personality and Mari Blanchard, that queen of the "B" films, does her usual great job in the Marlene Dietrich role. The supporting cast is a dandy with such stalwarts as Thomas Mitchell, Lyle Bettger and Edgar Buchanan. Obviously, this film is not in the same league with James Stewart version but it works for what it is......a 1950's programmer which offers some hidden delights. Give it a try.

Destry is directed by George Marshall and adapted to screenplay by Edmund H. North and D.D. Beauchamp from a story by Felix Jackson; itself suggested by the novel Destry Rides Again written by Max Brand. It stars Audie Murphy, Mari Blanchard, Lyle Bettger, Thomas Mitchell, Edgar Buchanan and Lori Nelson. Music is by Joseph Gershenson and cinematography by George Robinson.

When the sheriff of a small frontier town is shot and killed in mysterious circumstances, mob boss Decker (Bettger) and the crooked mayor (Buchanan) appoint the local drunk, Rags Barnaby (Mitchell), as sheriff. Thinking it will be easy to control the town now, Decker is surprised to learn that Barnaby has sent for help in the form of Tom Destry (Murphy), the son of a famous hard nosed lawman. However, when Tom arrives, he isn't exactly the all conquering macho lawman the town were expecting, in fact he doesn't even carry a gun!

OK, when judged against the James Stewart/ Marlene Dietrich starring Destry Rides Again from 1939 (also directed by George Marshall), this Audie Murphy led remake is standard stuff. The third attempt at adapting Max Brand's novel (there was also a Tom Mix version in 1932), George Marshall's movie has good production values, is well represented by the cast and all told is an amiable way to spend an afternoon. Three songs light up proceedings: Bang! Bang! If You Can Can-Can and Empty Arms (words and music by Herbert & Hughes), while the Technicolor is gorgeous (check out those costumes) and the final gun play is very well staged by Marshall and his team.

Sadly much of the picture is spent within the confines of the town, with a number of dialogue based scenarios that come off as samey. This means we miss out on ample usage of the Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, location exteriors. Yet in the capable hands of Marshall and Murphy it rounds out as a safe recommendation to B Western fans. 7/10