Destry Rides Again (1939)

They make the fighting sinful west blaze into action before your eyes!

 “…and when I die, don’t spend no money on flowers or a picture in a frame, just see what the boys in the backroom will have and tell them I’m having the same…” 

1939 was Hollywood’s greatest year and also the occasion for Marlene Dietrich’s comeback at Universal after her career sputtered out at Paramount. She had the luck to appear in Destry Rides Again, the pre-eminent comedy western of the day, indeed of the era. Producer Joe Pasternak brought in talent in abundance, notably the illustrious music team of Friedrich Hollaender and Frank Loesser who gave the star one of her most iconic songs “See What the Boys in the Backroom Will Have”. James Stewart plays Destry, the sheriff who is reluctant to use a gun. Dietrich plays Frenchy the bar-room singer. The chemistry was electric. Universal’s new 4K restoration brings back one of the standout movies of an amazing year.

Rating

PG

Cast

James Stewart, Marlene Dietrich, Mischa Auer, Charles Winninger

Director

George Marshall