StunnaKrypto
Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.
CommentsXp
Best movie ever!
Phillida
Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.
Art Vandelay
You've got Marlene's character singing on stage in that German lisp, though not in the same exaggerated world-weary way of Madelin Kahn's Lily Von Shtupp (fast forward to the 16-minute mark for the an approximation of where ''I'm So Tired'' might have come from). As a bonus, in the third act Marlene's character attempts to ''seduce and abandon'' the sheh-wiff However, better yet, right after Marlene's song the town mayor, with a mouthful of chewing tobacco, a shaky head, bouncing shoulders, and speaking in ''authentic frontier gibberish,'' announces to the saloon customers the improbable appointment of the town drunk as the new sheriff. This is almost exactly like Gabby Johnson (Mel Brooks) at the town hall meeting in Blazing Saddles when the town is trying to figure out who to appoint as the new sheriff and they end up with a black guy. Since I had taped this I replayed the mayor's shtick over and over again because it made me laugh. And finally, near the end there is a bar-room brawl that involves the women in town beating the heads of the rowdy cowboys with rolled up newpapers or something. Maybe wiffle-bats, I don't know. But it's just like the end of Blazing Saddles where the cowboys get into the brouhaha with the Busby Berkely (Dom DeLuis) dancers and cafeteria patrons Other than those curiosities, however, this movie is nearly unwatchable. The plot is a mess. All the characters, including the aforementioned town drunk just yell at each other, hoot and holler and squeal, and laugh at things that aren't funny. The clincher was the obnoxious kid playing the banjo on the covered wagon as her equally obnoxious friends sing some obnoxious western song. The whole thing gave me a headache. I wouldn't watch this a second time except to show other Blazing Saddles fans that mayor's short bit.
mark.waltz
Itself a remake, this is a practically perfect comic western (with serious overtones) about a new way for proclaiming peace in a violent town that has rebelled against law and order for decades. They are so determined to keep this part of the wild west that the town judge declares the town drunk (Charles Winninger) the new sheriff. But much to their surprise, Winninger instantly sobers up, and determined to honor the memory of the late Sheriff Tom Destry (whom he was a sober deputy under), Winninger brings his son (James Stewart) to town.There's more than just unruly drunks in this town, there's also the dishonest judge (Samuel S. Hinds), ruthless power-broker (Brian Donlevy) and the fiery saloon singer (Marlene Dietrich) who is involved in the corruption as much as Hinds and Donlevy. Buy being a woman, at least one of the classic Hollywood kind, she's also got heart, although you wouldn't know it from her floozy image.There's a classic cat-fight between Dietrich and the equally hot tempered leader of society (Una Merkel) who gives as much as the hot tempered Dietrich when she confronts her over demanding husband Mischa Auer's pants in exchange for his pants. Dietrich fights back when Stewart dumps water on the two fighting felines, preferring other props over guns. Stewart's entrance off the stagecoach, complete with parasol and birdcage, isn't what you'd expect of a law enforcement officer, but he has some surprises up his sleeve.Dietrich has three musical numbers written by a young Frank Loesser. The most famous of course, is "See What the Boys in the Backroom Will Have" (which she would perform in concerts for decades), although "You've Got That Look" is memorable as well. This was later a successful Broadway musical with Andy Griffith, although Harold Rome wrote the music, not Loesser.This has a great supporting cast including Allen Jenkins as accused killer Gyp Watson, Jack Carson as an honest farmer who stands up to corrupt protection racketeers, Billy Gilbert as the bartender, Lillian Yarbo as Dietrich's maid, and Irene Hervey as Carson's fiancée. Everything in this is picture perfect, and while "Blazing Saddles" was not an official remake, there's enough in common to compare the two. This has one of the great endings in movies, and considering the year it came out in (Hollywood's greatest year), that is quite a compliment.
Byrdz
It's a FUN film from start to finish. Jimmy Stewart - Marlene Dietrich - Brian Donlevey - Charles Winniger - Micha Auer and a gaggle of classic character actors hanging out in the Last Chance Saloon in the rough, tough town of Bottleneck. Who could ask for anything more ? Well, if you insist on more, there is the classic cat fight with Marlene and Una Merkel that left them both bruised for weeks. There's a mighty large fight at the end with all of the townsfolk, the bad guys and the women folk of the town involved. The town has a awful large population at this point. It looks like Times Square on New Years eve only with broom and mops.Dietrich SINGS a couple of songs including "See What the Boys in the Back Room Will Have" and she square dances with Stewart. this alone is worth a peek. If you somehow have not seen this one ... make an effort to find it. It's worth the search.
lordjesus3388
This is a gem of a movie. Jimmy Stewart comes across as very comical at times, but in one scene he shows fierce anger. The songs are great and very well done. The fight between Janice Tyndall and Marlene Dietrich is a real classic as they really get into the action. The sound of a piano playing makes for an image of the west. I love Charles Winninger's role in this movie. He almost steals the show. I like how Frenchy, in one scene, looks up at Destry and smiles. The scene with the guns firing and the music along with it makes the drama build up. Then, in the bar, at the end of the movie, where the bad guy stands on the second floor watching closely to shoot Tom, but he kills Frency is another classic scene. If you want action, comedy, and a good western you have to see this one. Enjoy!
