A Perfect Summer Comedy

Destry Rides Again (1939, Universal) dir. George Marshall and starring James Steward, Marlene Dietrich, Mischa Auer, Charles Winninger and Brian Donlevy. 1939 is often spoken of as the greatest year for movies - ever. This flick doesn't argue to the contrary. Along with Ruggles of Red Gap , Blazing Saddles and some of the late `60's Italian entries, this one's carved atop of the Comedy/Western mountain range. Stewart is the son of a legendary lawman who is brought in to settle a lawless town. Only this Destry doesn't like guns. Stewart, Dietrich, Auer, Winninger and Donlevy are phenomenal as was the name of the game for this fantastic five. Also, there's a great cat fight at the beginning of act two where Destry demonstrates his non-violent methods of conflict resolution. Check it out.