Spondonman 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.

bkoganbing 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.

tedphx Destry Rides Again was very good, and Jimmy Stewart certainly has a cowboy persona, but that's not the first image that comes to mind when we think of this great actor.Audie Murphy, on the other hand couldn't be more cowboy - Texas born and a super-hero FOR REAL, not the phony John Wayne type, and what's even better is that he's not a strapping hulk, he's an unassuming, charming, perpetual kid with a quiet inner strength. We think of Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, but Audie Murphy tops them all. If he only could sing, everyone would know that.And Destry is his shining star. He's so good in the role, you watch almost the way you watch Casablanca. In fact, there seems to be a lot of similarity between Rick and Tom - they do what they need to do in unconventional ways, with a minimal amount of violence that they are forced to initiate against their wills.I love westerns, I love Destry, and I love Audie. If only all Americans were like him.

Bucs1960 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.