DESTRY RIDES AGAIN
PRODUCED BY ISLIN AUSTER/ JOE PASTERNAK
DIRECTED BY GEORGE MARSHALL
UNIVERSAL PICTURES
Information from IMDb
Plot Summary
Kent, the unscrupulous boss of Bottleneck has Sheriff Keogh killed when he asks one too many questions
about a rigged poker game that gives Kent a stranglehold over the local cattle rangers.
The mayor, who is in cahoots with Kent appoints the town drunk, Washington Dimsdale,
as the new sheriff assuming that he'll be easy to control.
But what the mayor doesn't know is that Dimsdalewas a deputy under famous lawman,
Tom Destry, and is able to call upon the equally formidable Tom Destry Jr to be his deputy.
Featuring a career reviving performance from Marlene Dietrich as bar singer Frenchie,
which could well have been the inspiration for Madeline Kahn's "Blazing Saddles" character, Lili Von Schtupp.
Written by Mark Thompson
Full Cast
Marlene Dietrich ... Frenchy
James Stewart ... Tom Destry Jr.
Mischa Auer ... Boris
Charles Winninger ... Washington Dimsdale
Brian Donlevy ... Kent
Allen Jenkins ... Gyp Watson
Warren Hymer ... Bugs Watson
Irene Hervey ... Janice Tyndall
Una Merkel ... Lily Belle
Billy Gilbert ... Loupgerou
Samuel S. Hinds ... Judge Slade
Jack Carson ... Jack Tyndall
Tom Fadden ... Lem Claggett
Virginia Brissac ... Sophie Claggett
Edmund MacDonald ... Rockwell (as Edmund Macdonald)
Lillian Yarbo ... Clara
Joe King ... Sheriff Keogh
Dickie Jones ... Claggett Boy
Ann E. Todd ... Claggett Girl (as Ann Todd)
Richard Alexander ... Cowboy (uncredited)
Silver Tip Baker ... Barfly (uncredited)
Chief John Big Tree ... Indian in Saloon (uncredited)
Billy Bletcher ... Pianist (uncredited)
Loren Brown ... Juggler (uncredited)
Ralph Bucko ... Barfly (uncredited)
Roy Bucko ... Barfly (uncredited)
George Chesebro ... Barfly (uncredited)
Dora Clement ... Woman (uncredited)
Bill Cody Jr. ... Townsboy Telling Wash of Destry's Arrival (uncredited)
Spade Cooley ... Fiddle Player (uncredited)
Harry Cording ... Creepy - Lends Tom Guns (uncredited)
Carmen D'Antonio ... Dancer (uncredited)
Harold DeGarro ... Juggler (uncredited)
Florence Dudley ... Small Role (uncredited)
O.K. Ford ... Barfly (uncredited)
Sam Garrett ... Rider / Roper (uncredited)
William Gillis ... Barfly (uncredited)
Lloyd Ingraham ... Express Agent with Box of Rabbits (uncredited)
Marjorie Kane ... Saloon Floozie (uncredited)
Harley Luse ... Accordion Player (uncredited)
Cactus Mack ... Musician (uncredited)
Frank McCarroll ... Barfly (uncredited)
Bud McClure ... Stage Driver (uncredited)
Merrill McCormick ... Townsman (uncredited)
Philo McCullough ... Bartender (uncredited)
Robert McKenzie ... Doctor (uncredited)
Charles Murphy ... Townsman (uncredited)
Mary Shannon ... Woman on Street (uncredited)
Rudy Sooter ... Bass Player (uncredited)
Betta St. John ... Singing Girl in Wagon (uncredited)
William Steele ... Cowboy (uncredited)
Leo Sulky ... Bartender (uncredited)
Al Taylor ... Townsman (uncredited)
Harry Tenbrook ... Stage Shotgun Rider (uncredited)
Jack Tornek ... Barfly (uncredited)
Minerva Urecal ... Mrs. DeWitt (uncredited)
Leslie Vincent ... (uncredited) (unconfirmed)
Hank West ... Musician (uncredited)
Dan White ... Barfly (uncredited)
Blackie Whiteford ... Juror (uncredited)
Alex Woloshin ... Assistant Bartender (uncredited)
Duke York ... Townsman (uncredited)
Writing Credits
Felix Jackson (screen play) & (original story)
Gertrude Purcell (screen play) &
Henry Myers (screen play)
Max Brand (suggested by novel "Destry Rides Again")
Original Music
Frank Skinner
Cinematography
Hal Mohr
Trivia
This film was selected to the National Film Registry, Library of Congress, in 1996
James Stewart's first western.
James Stewart and Marlene Dietrich had an affair with lasted for the duration of filming. She later claimed that she had to have an abortion after Stewart made her pregnant.
The movie was adapted for a Broadway musical starring Andy Griffith and opened at the April 23, 1959 at the Imperial Theatre and ran for 472 performances.
"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on November 5, 1945 with James Stewart reprising his film role.
The role of Tom Destry was originally intended for Gary Cooper, but he wanted more money than the producers were willing to pay him. It was then offered to James Stewart, who took it.
According to her grandson Peter Riva interviewed for the Icons Radio Hour, Marlene Dietrich's fight scene was unchoreographed. She and Una Merkel agreed to do it impromptu with the only rule being no closed fists. They used feet, pulled hair, and Marlene had bruises for weeks afterwards. but the director got everything in one take.
According to her grandson Peter Riva in an Icons Radio interview, Marlene Dietrich had no interest in doing a western when presented this script. But her friend Erich Maria Remarque convinced her that it would be perfect for her. Remarque told her that it would make her "more American". "If I am more American", Marlene asked him, "can I do more against the Nazis?" Remarque answered, "Of course". Dietrich's motive for doing this movie was to warn Americans about the Nazis.
In the original script, there was a scene in the movie showing Marlene Dietrech putting her winnings from a wild night of gambling below her dress neckline. The censors initially approved her comment. Patting her chest, she exclaims, "There's gold in them thar hills." After the preview audience roared at the line, the censors ordered it removed.
Goofs
When Destry first demonstrates his ability with a firearm by shooting at the knobs on the sign, he shoots a total of seven times. Although he is holding two Colt "Six-shooters", one in each hand, he fires only the pistol he holds in his right hand. Thus, he fired one round more than the gun could hold.
Filming Locations
Kernville, California, USA
Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA
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