Destry Rides Again (1939)

Marlene Dietrich, James Stewart

Directed by George Marshall

Available to stream on Prime Video

Our next "Swashbucklers and Gunslingers" film is a classic Western that we absolutely love.

Lawlessness and corruption are the rule in the Old West town of Bottleneck until Deputy Tom Destry (Jimmy Stewart) comes to town, gets involved with saloon hostess Marlene Dietrich (Frenchy), and restores law and order without using a gun.

Jimmy Stewart and Marlene Dietrich in "Destry Rides Again"

Why we love it: The unlikely couple of Jimmy Stewart and Marlene Dietrich are wonderful together.  Marlene is great as the entertainer, singing several songs including "See What the Boys in the Back Room Will Have," and engaging in spectacular fight scenes - one with Una Merkel, one with Stewart.  This movie is funny, but also sincere and poignant, thanks to Jimmy Stewart's portrayal of the deputy who believes in law and order without violence.

Full of great and familiar character actors from the 1930's - Charles Winninger as the town drunk sheriff, Una Merkel and Mischa Auer as a constantly fighting husband and wife, and many others.

Even if you don't like Westerners, you'll love this one.

Jimmy Stewart, Marlene Dietrich, and Brian Donlevy in "Destry Rides Again"

Fun Facts:

• The legendary fight between Dietrich and Merkel was unchoreographed. In James Stewart: A Life in Film by Roy Pickard, Una Merkel recalled filming the fight sequence: "Neither of us knew what we were doing. We just plunged in and punched and slapped and kicked for all we were worth. They never did call in the stunt girls. Marlene stepped on my feet with her French heels. The toenails never grew back. She was stronger than me. She was very powerful and I was very thin. Luckily, I have a remarkable constitution. I was bruised from head to foot when it was over. I looked like an old peach, green with brown spots. And I felt like one too. At the end of the scene Jimmy Stewart came in and dumped a whole bucket of water over us. He did it in long shot. Then he had to do it over for close-ups. Then Life Magazine wanted pictures so they did it over again. He dumped water on us for hours."

Jimmy Stewart pours water over Una Merkel and Marlene Dietrich

• Though in his later career Jimmy Stewart would become known for his roles in Westerns, this film was his first Western. He wouldn't make another until 10 years later.

• Gary Cooper was the original choice to play Destry, but he wanted too much money so the role went to Jimmy Stewart.

• Marlene Dietrich was also not the first choice to play Frenchy -- Paulette Goddard was initially considered for the role. This film was a big comeback for Dietrich. She had been a huge star in the early 30's, but her career had dwindled because of a series of flops. This film was a great success and boost to her career.

From "Photoplay" 1939

For more articles and reviews from the time, go to the Fan Magazine Reviews page.

Featured Cocktail:

Margarita

The margarita descended from an earlier group of drinks called daisies. In fact, margarita is the Spanish word for daisy. The first daisies used brandy, but any base spirit could be used. While the brandy daisy is a direct forerunner of the sidecar, a margarita has become a classic tequila drink.

1½ oz (50 ml) tequila blanco

5 tsps (25 ml) Cointreau

4 tsps (20 ml) lime juice

(some recipes call for a teaspoon or two of sugar or agave syrup)

lime wedge

salt on the rim of the glass if desired

A margarita can be served neat in a cocktail glass or over ice in a rocks glass. To give people a choice of salt or no salt, wet just half the rim of the glass with lime and dip it into salt. Shake the other ingredients with ice and strain into the glass. Garnish with a wedge of lime.

Cheers to the Classics!