Western Roundup: Destry (1954)

Western Roundup: Destry (1954)

Destry Rides Again is a classic Western novel by Max Brand. It was filmed by Universal Pictures multiple times, including a 1932 version starring Tom Mix and the best-known version, a 1939 release with James Stewart and Marlene Dietrich.

George Marshall directed the James Stewart version, and he was again at the helm when Universal remade the story once more in 1954. Audie Murphy was chosen for the lead role of Tom Destry.

The 1954 version, simply called Destry, has just been released on Blu-ray by Kino Lorber Studio Classics; to my knowledge this is the first time it’s been available for home viewing. Destry is part of the three-film Audie Murphy Collection II along with Sierra (1950) and Kansas Raiders (1950).

I’ve periodically reviewed Murphy’s films here, as he’s both a great Western star and a personal favorite. I reviewed his Seven Ways From Sundown (1960) in 2020 and wrote about Hell Bent For Leather (1960) early last year. Since it’s been a year and a half since my last Murphy review, this new release is a perfect opportunity to visit another of his films.

This was my first time to see this version of the Destry story, and it’s interesting to note at the outset that with the exception of lead character Tom Destry, the characters have different names in each of Universal’s three versions.

While I’ve yet to see the Tom Mix edition, I’ve seen the one with Stewart, though it’s been a few years. While perhaps not a classic on a level with the Stewart film, I felt the Murphy version stands on its own feet as delightful Western entertainment. Murphy comes off extremely well in the title role, and he’s backed by a terrific cast.

In the familiar story, crooked Decker (Lyle Bettger) and his henchmen run a very wild little Western town and kill the sheriff (Trevor Bardette) who gets in their way.

They appoint alcoholic Rags Barnaby (Thomas Mitchell) as sheriff, and Rags immediately sends for Tom Destry (Murphy), son of his late friend, who was a famed lawman.

Rags hasn’t met the adult Destry and when imposing cattleman Larson (Alan Hale Jr.) steps off the stagecoach, Rags is thrilled, only to learn he has the wrong man. Rags is then shocked when the diminutive Destry gets out of the stagecoach, assisting a pretty young lady (Lori Nelson) with her parasol and a birdcage.

Nonethless, Destry ends up serving as Rags’ deputy. He doesn’t wear guns and prefers friendly discussions to battle, which initially shocks both Rags and the townspeople; over time, Destry’s positive, trusting attitude causes a number of people in town to reform. Rags stops drinking, saloon girl Brandy (Mari Blanchard) wakes up to realizing her life as Decker’s girl isn’t a good one, and combative Larson learns to deal with his problems in a more peaceable manner.

Only the most hard-bitten character town, Decker, doesn’t change, along with his cronies.

The townspeople are later shocked to learn that Destry is actually an expert marksman — Bettger’s expression at this reveal is hilarious — but even this disclosure is strategic on Destry’s part. He’s learned about new-fangled ways to analyze which guns have shot which bullets, and he’s emptied the townspeople’s guns out for research into the murder of the previous sheriff.

Destry was the perfect role for Murphy, who was only 5′ 5″ and could seem unassuming — yet both onscreen and off, underneath the mild-mannered exterior was a very determined and even dangerous man.

Murphy also proves himself adept at comedy, whether it’s his good-natured line deliveries or his reactions to Martha (Nelson), who clearly has a crush on the young deputy. I’ve seen many of Murphy’s films and found this a particularly winning performance.

Murphy has a host of great character actors to interact with; in addition to names mentioned above, the deep cast boasts Edgar Buchanan, Wallace Ford, Mary Wickes, and John Doucette.

Nelson is very personable as Martha, engaging in some delightful repartee with Murphy. The film’s other leading lady, Blanchard, shines as the saloon gal, performing several songs. Blanchard bears a strong resemblance to Lynn Bari in this — which isn’t a bad thing, as I’m a big Bari fan.

The script by D.D. Beauchamp and Edmund H. North, adapted from Felix Jackson’s story for the 1939 version, moves along well at a nicely paced 95 minutes.

Marshall, who by 1954 had directed countless Westerns, does an excellent job managing his large cast and drawing a fine performance from Murphy, who had been in films for a half dozen years at this point.

The movie was filmed in Technicolor by George Robinson. It was shot at Universal Studios and the Janss Conejo Ranch in Thousand Oaks.

The new Kino Lorber Blu-ray print looks terrific, with excellent sound. Extras consist of the trailer; a gallery of five additional trailers; and a commentary track by Lee Gambin and actor Gary Frank (Family).

I’ve previously seen one of the other films in this set, Sierra, and can confidently say that the Audie Murphy Collection II is a “must” for Western fans.

Thanks to Kino Lorber for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray.

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– Laura Grieve for Classic Movie Hub

Laura can be found at her blog, Laura’s Miscellaneous Musings, where she’s been writing about movies since 2005, and on Twitter at @LaurasMiscMovie. A lifelong film fan, Laura loves the classics including Disney, Film Noir, Musicals, and Westerns.  She regularly covers Southern California classic film festivals.  Laura will scribe on all things western at the ‘Western RoundUp’ for CMH.