The Legacy of Destry Rides Again: A Photographic Journey Through the Movie's Production

Destry Rides Again is a 1939 American Western film directed by George Marshall and starring James Stewart and Marlene Dietrich. The film is a remake of the 1932 film of the same name and is based on the novel by Max Brand.

The story is set in the fictional town of Bottleneck, where a new marshal, Tom Destry Jr. (James Stewart), is appointed to restore order. Unlike the typical gun-slinging marshal, Destry is a pacifist who prefers to use his wits and persuasion to resolve conflicts. He finds himself at odds with the local saloon owner, Frenchy (Marlene Dietrich), who is also the town’s most powerful criminal. Despite her initial resistance, Destry and Frenchy eventually fall in love.

The film is notable for its comedic elements, as well as its musical numbers, which were performed by Dietrich. One of the most famous scenes in the movie is the musical number “See What the Boys in the Back Room Will Have” where Marlene Dietrich sings the song while playing the piano in the saloon.

Destry Rides Again was released in 1939 and was a commercial and critical success. James Stewart received positive reviews for his performance, and Dietrich’s singing and acting were also widely praised. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Score and was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

#1 Marlene Dietrich poses for portrait June 2, 1948 in New York City.

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#2 Marlene Dietrich in ‘Destry Rides Again’, 1939

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#3 Marlene Dietrich with George Marshall, Darsteller: Marlene Dietrich, Charles Winninger, Brian Donlevy, Mischa Auer, and Jack Carson

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#4 Marlene Dietrich, James Stewart, Brian Donlevy.

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#5 Destry Rides Again

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#6 Destry Rides Again

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#7 Marlene Dietrich and Tom Destry Jr. (James Stewart) hold one another close.

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#8 Destry Rides Again

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#9 Destry Rides Again

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#10 Marlene Dietrich and James Stewart on the set of Destry Rides Again (Femme ou Demon) directed by George Marshall.

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#11 On the set of Destry Rides Again

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#12 Marlene Dietrich, James Stewart in ‘Destry Rides Again’

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#13 Marlene Dietrich as Frenchy in the 1939 motion picture Destry Rides Again.

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#14 Marlene Dietrich as Frenchy with James Stewart as Deputy Sheriff Tom Destry

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#15 Scene from Destry Rides Again

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#16 Marlene Dietrich in Destry Rides Again

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#17 Marlene Dietrich

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#18 Marlene Dietrich

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#19 Marlene Dietrich, wearing a saloon girl costume and holding a cigarette, as she appears in the movie ‘Destry Rides Again’, 1939

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#20 Marlene Dietrich posing in a feather boa in a promotional portrait for ‘Destry Rides Again’

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#21 Marlene Dietrich as Frenchy, standing by a large roulette wheel in a publicity still for ‘Destry Rides Again’, directed by George Marshall, 1939

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#22 Marlene Dietrich in her dressing room in a scene from the film ‘Destry Rides Again’, 1939.

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#23 Marlene Dietrich and James Stewart in publicity portrait for the film ‘Destry Rides Again’, 1939

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#24 James Stewart fights Marlene Dietrich in a scene from the film ‘Destry Rides Again’, 1939.

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#25 James Stewart and Marlene Dietrich in a scene from the film ‘Destry Rides Again’, 1939

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#26 James Stewart as Tom Destry, Jr in ‘Destry Rides Again’, 1939

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#27 Marlene Dietrich takes a cigarette break during the filming of ‘Destry Rides Again’, 1939

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#28 Shooters in a scene from the film ‘Destry Rides Again’, 1939

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#29 James Stewart watching Marlene Dietrich drink her tea in a scene from the film ‘Destry Rides Again’, 1939

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#30 James Stewart kneeling down beside fallen man beside jail cell in a scene from the film ‘Destry Rides Again’, 1939.

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#31 Marlene Dietrich being looked at by man holding cards in a scene from the film ‘Destry Rides Again’, 1939.

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#32 Marlene Dietrich with Una Merkel in a bar room brawl scene.

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#33 James Stewart with Marlene Dietrich

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#34 James Stewart puts an end to a fight between Marlene Dietrich and Una Merkel by pouring a bucket of water over them, in a scene from the classic western ‘Destry Rides Again’

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#35 Marlene Dietrich on the set of ‘Destry Rides Again’ holding child actress Baby Sandy (Sandra Lee Henville) during her visit from the set of another Universal Picture, ‘Little Accident’.

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#36 Marlene Dietrich and Una Merkel on the set of the classic western ‘Destry Rides Again’.

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#37 Marlene Dietrich and Brian Donlevy listen to the radio on the set of the classic western ‘Destry Rides Again’.

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#38 Marlene Dietrich cools her feet in a tub of iced water on the set of the classic western ‘Destry Rides Again’.

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#39 James Stewart as Tom Destry Jnr and Una Merkel as Lily Belle Callahan in the classic western ‘Destry Rides Again’.

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#40 Marlene Dietrich lunching with director George Marshall (left), and producer Joe Pasternak on her latest film ‘Destry Rides Again’.

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#41 Marlene Dietrich and James Stewart peruse the script of ‘Destry Rides Again’, prior to shooting a scene.

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#42 Child star Baby Sandy visits Marlene Dietrich on the set of her latest film ‘Destry Rides Again.’

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#43 Marlene Dietrich leaps onto the back of James Stewart in a scene from the classic western ‘Destry Rides Again’.

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#44 Una Merkel and Marlene Dietrich battle it out in a scene from ‘Destry Rides Again’

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#45 Marlene Dietrich during a saloon fight in the classic western ‘Destry Rides Again’.

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#46 Marlene Dietrich kicks ineffectually at James Stewart during a saloon fight

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#47 James Stewart wields two pistols as German-born actor and singer Marlene Dietrich clings to him fearfully

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#48 James Stewart as deputy Sheriff Thomas Destry and Marlene Dietrich as Frenchy

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#49 James Stewart and Marlene Dietrich share a drink with Brian Donlevy and friends in a scene from the film ‘Destry Rides Again’

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#50 Marlene Dietrich sips a cup of tea.

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#51 Marlene Dietrich as Frenchy in a scene from the film ‘Destry Rides Again’

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#52 Marlene Dietrich talks with director George Marshall on the set of their latest film ‘Destry Rides Again’.

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#53 Everyone avoids the sights of Marlene Dietrich’s gun in the film ‘Destry Rides Again’

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#54 Marlene Dietrich smokes a cigarette, wearing top hat and tails in a risque from the 1930s.

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#55 Tom Mix visits with a group of school children during the filming of Destry Rides Again.

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#56 Der Grosse Bluff, Destry Rides Again

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#57 Destry Rides Again

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