DESTRY RIDES AGAIN

SYNOPSIS: The son of a famous lawman is called upon to quench the corruprion in the cattle town of Bottleneck, much to the displeasure of the criminals attempting to take control of the area. Conflict ensues as they try to get the new sheriff to leave while he tries to put them in jail, as well as stay alive.

BOTTOM LINE: This is one of those films on the list of quintiscential classics I'd heard about, but never seen all the way through. Well, I'm glad I finally did. Stewart is one of my favorite actors and it's great to see him be funny, charming and kick-ass. Much of the comedy derives from the fact that Stewart, who agreed to be the new sheriff, refuses to carry a gun and always has a story about a fellow he once knew. He manages just the same to start making a difference, which goes to prove you don't always need a weapon to make your point. Dietrich plays a saloon singer on the wrong side of the law. Her "boyfriend" Kent (Donlevy) is the one trying to take over their part of the world. No one thinks much of Destry until he starts snooping around into the disappearance of the last sheriff. His attempt to bring Kent and his band to justice starts quietly, but ends with a stunning gun battle that involves the entire town and ends sadly for some. This is a western with all the usual elements that still manages to tell an amusing, exciting, romantic, entertaining story. Stewart and Dietrich have great chemistry, which is a little surprising, but quite enjoyable. For a film that encompasses so many genres it actually holds together quite well. DESTRY is a movie I will definitely sit through again...with great pleasure.