This James Stewart Movie Proved That the Best Western Heroes Aren't Dark and Gritty

It seems as if Western films with serious, brooding anti-heroes at the center have become the face of the genre itself. When thinking about the icons of Western cinema, such as John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, we’re often reminded of the grimacing, grizzled gunslingers who hopelessly reflect on their own demented nature.

COLLIDER VIDEO OF THE DAY SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT What Is 'Destry Rides Again' About? Destry Rides Again stars James Stewart as the titular Tom Jefferson Destry Jr., a kindhearted lawman who is hired as the newest deputy of the fictional town of Bottleneck. The town’s Sheriff ordered a hit on the respectable gentleman Keogh by a gang of outlaws, prompting his deputy Wash Dimsdale to be suddenly promoted.

James Stewart Has Unparalleled Charisma Stewart was still in the early stages of his career, where he tended to star in more lighthearted fare such as It’s A Wonderful Life, You Can’t Take It With You, and The Philadelphia Story; it wasn’t until his post-World War II experiences shooting genre projects with Anthony Mann and Alfred Hitchcock that he became regarded as a darker protagonist similar to Eastwood or Wayne.

'Destry Rides Again' Subverts Western Clichés Destry Rides Again finds fun ways to lampoon self-serious Western hallmarks thanks to Destry’s unique approach to his duties. It’s a given that in most Westerns, the hero has to prove their merit during a shootout or brawl, which often takes place in a saloon or townsquare. However, Destry is able to deal with some rowdy cowboys in a dangerous saloon by showing his marksmanship in a contest.

'Destry Rides Again' Is a Celebration of the Western Genre It’s somewhat ironic that Destry Rides Again was released the same year as the seminal classic Stagecoach, an early preview of what Wayne and John Ford were capable of in their many collaborations together. Stagecoach embodied the more action-packed, hyper masculine traits that Wayne would become synonymous with, and its depiction of indigenous people and female characters haven’t aged well.

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