DVD Pick:-->“Destry Rides Again” (1939)

"Well, I tried to live the way I should.
I've shed some tears and sweated blood.
Don't you know, babe?
And I think it's time I took a break.
'Cause I have took all I can take.
Don't you know, babe?"
Ten Years After

NO SPOILERS:
If you pick up this entertaining western....expecting something violent and dark...then I'm afraid you're getting your grain from the wrong feed and seed, my friend.

“Destry Rides Again” (1939) is miles removed from the rugged westerns Jimmy Stewart would go on to make.

Directed by George Marshall...“Destry Rides Again” is one of those rare films...that strikes every note just right.

"Destry..." is filled with many colorful and campy characters...from the obligatory town drunk and crooked gamblers...to the hard-hearted vixen and...of course...the new sheriff in town.

The tough saucy saloon gal, Frenchy (Marlene Dietrich)...is so full of herself...it hurts. And will quickly bring scenes of "Blazing Saddles" to mind.
Jimmy Stewart
and
Marlene "Save a horse...Ride a cowboy" Dietrich.

Brian Donlevy ...as the crooked saloon owner, Kent...gives a wonderfully snide performance.

But it's Jimmy Stewart...in his first big western...that will knock the mud off your boots. Smoother than an Ovation guitar top and cooler than the Arkansas River in the late fall...Stewart immediately wins us over with his sly smarts.

Appearing to be the complete opposite of his famous gunslinging father...Destry (Stewart) takes over as sheriff...using his non-violent ways to clean up the town. Don't be thrown. There is plenty of action and laughs.

Never mind the plot. You see it coming miles away. Just saddle up.
Good stuff!

MUST SEE MOMENT:
Watching the terrific -->Catfight<--between span="" style="font-weight: bold;">Dietrich and a tasty Una Merkel...will make you want to...hitch up the team.

Casey

"Cricklewood Green" ...supposedly named for an unidentified "plant"...was the 5th album by the guitar-shredding Ten Years After...and one I seem to return to often. Maybe because it is never boring. Solid thru and thru.

Guitarist Alvin Lee sounds inspired, as does the band...offering up tasty bluesy rock licks and jams. Highly recommended.

 Ten Years After  --  "Working On The Road"  (1970)


Casey Chambers
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Comments

whiteray said…
Oh, nice album and nice track, Casey. I don't listen to this one near as often as I should.
October 16, 2008 at 6:07 PM
sexy said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
March 28, 2009 at 8:32 AM
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