Destry Rides Again was just the movie James Stewart needed after Mr. Smith left for Washington

Today, "Destry Rides Again" is considered one of the best westerns of all time. This is largely thanks to its innovative take on the genre, as it combined elements of musicals with romantic comedy while imbuing the whole thing with a genuine sense of heart and morality. In what was his first Western, James Stewart played Deputy Sheriff Tom Destry, a pacifist trying to bring order to the corrupt fictional town of Bottleneck. At first he tries to do this through non-violent means, but eventually he must adopt the gunslinger methods of the Old West to succeed.

The plot of "Destry Rides Again" created some delightfully comedic moments, allowing Stewart to deliver an assured performance while having a great time with the character. Hardly a line is said without a wry smile and a playful drawl. It almost reached levels of self-parody when Destry asks Marlene Dietrich's saloon singer Frenchy about "participating in twisted poker games, ripping people off their ranches".

According to Roy Pickard's 1993 biographical book "Jimmy Stewart: A Life In Film," this kind of playful character was just what Stewart needed after the rigors of filming "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" with the tedious Frank Capra. Pickard wrote that "Destry Rides Again" was "kind of a battery charger" for the actor as it was "a relatively easy movie to make".

Stewart was just happy to be there: "As I was just a contract player at [MGM], it was good to be considered for the role." And while the film was well received, Stewart received complaints from "western civilians across the country" who felt the actor's mild-mannered sheriff wasn't tough enough.

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