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Destry Rides Again

Der große Bluff
Berlinale Classics 2019
© Universal Pictures
A small western town is terrorised by an unscrupulous swindler and his gang. The new deputy sheriff in town seems useless – he carries no weapons and sticks strictly to the letter of the law. It is not until one of his closest allies is murdered that he has a change of heart … After making seven films with director Josef von Sternberg and a number of flops, Marlene Dietrich radically changed her image with this film. As a shady saloon singer, she doesn’t play on her ethereal beauty, but instead gives us a woman who knows how to assert herself – both in a catfight and in a clinch with deputy Tom Destry. Her appearance in the 1939 film served a just cause; Destry Rides Again is more than just a style-setting western comedy. The film was released in theatres immediately following Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland, with an unvarnished message cautioning against US appeasement policy towards the Third Reich. In addition to Marlene Dietrich, prominent Jewish émigrés also worked on the production, including Felix Jackson (born Joachimson, screenplay), Friedrich Holländer (songs, music) and Joseph (Joe) Herman Pasternak (producer).
by George Marshall
with Marlene Dietrich, James Stewart, Mischa Auer, Charles Winninger, Brian Donlevy, Allen Jenkins, Warren Hymer USA 1939 English 95’ Black/White Rating R16

With

  • Marlene Dietrich
  • James Stewart
  • Mischa Auer
  • Charles Winninger
  • Brian Donlevy
  • Allen Jenkins
  • Warren Hymer

Crew

Director George Marshall
Screenplay Felix Jackson, Gertrude Purcell, Henry Myers based on a story by Felix Jackson suggested by the novel “Destry Rides Again” by Max Brand
Cinematography Hal Mohr
Editing Milton Carruth
Music Frank Skinner
Sound Bernard B. Brown
Art Director Jack Otterson
Costumes Vera West
Producer Joe Pasternak

World sales

Universal Pictures

Additional information

DCP: Universal Pictures, Universal City, CA

Photos

George Marshall

Filmography

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2019