When a man claims that he has been cheated out of his ranch in a game of poker by saloon owner Phil Decker the Sheriff goes to investigate; at first Decker seems reasonable even saying that he will return the man's ranch but as the sheriff turns to leave he is shot in the back. The town is clearly in Decker's pocket or terrified of him as the doctor certifies that the sheriff died of a heart attack and the mayor appoints Reginald T. 'Rags' Barnaby, the town drunk, as his replacement. What they didn't suspect was that Rags would take the job seriously; swearing to stop drinking and appointing Tom Destry, son of a legendary no nonsense lawman, to be his deputy. Rags is in for a disappointment when Destry arrives though...he emerges from the stagecoach unarmed and carrying a birdcage and a parasol! Decker's heavies have a good laugh when they see him; clearly he has made a poor first impression. He isn't quite the joke everybody things though and when he hears rumours about the old sheriff he starts to investigate; asking the right questions and even collecting bullets for a forensic examination. Inevitably though he will eventually have to strap on a gun and face Decker the old fashioned way... a western can't just end with an arrest! As well as having villains to deal with a western needs some potential love interest and here it is provided by Brandy; the saloon singer who helped Decker cheat at cards and Martha Phillips the nice girl he is clearly 'meant to be with'.
As I've yet to see 'Destry Rides Again' I can't say how this compares but I did find this to be an enjoyable western; Audie Murphy is ideal in the role of the soft spoken Destry as he doesn't look like a traditional Hollywood tough guy despite an actual war record that proves he was more heroic than better known western stars. It helps that he was supported by s fine cast Lyle Bettger is suitably unpleasant as Decker, Thomas Mitchell was entertaining as Rags and Mari Blanchard was just right as Brandy; the bad girl who might just come good. There isn't a huge amount of action but what there is is pretty good and there is plenty of tension as we know our hero is unarmed most of the time.. there is also a rather entertaining fight between Brandy and another woman that ends with both of them getting soaked when Destry pours a bucket of water over them. With a good story, solid action and a surprising number of laughs I'd say this is well worth watching if you are a fan of the genre and a must see for fans of Audie Murphy.
As I've yet to see 'Destry Rides Again' I can't say how this compares but I did find this to be an enjoyable western; Audie Murphy is ideal in the role of the soft spoken Destry as he doesn't look like a traditional Hollywood tough guy despite an actual war record that proves he was more heroic than better known western stars. It helps that he was supported by s fine cast Lyle Bettger is suitably unpleasant as Decker, Thomas Mitchell was entertaining as Rags and Mari Blanchard was just right as Brandy; the bad girl who might just come good. There isn't a huge amount of action but what there is is pretty good and there is plenty of tension as we know our hero is unarmed most of the time.. there is also a rather entertaining fight between Brandy and another woman that ends with both of them getting soaked when Destry pours a bucket of water over them. With a good story, solid action and a surprising number of laughs I'd say this is well worth watching if you are a fan of the genre and a must see for fans of Audie Murphy.