Destry (1954)

After the local sheriff (Trevor Bardette) dies under mysterious circumstances, a ruthless gambler (Lyle Bettger) who has the town in his grip arranges to have the town drunk (Thomas Mitchell) appointed as the new sheriff thinking he can control him. But the new sheriff sends for the son (Audie Murphy) of a famous lawman as his deputy. Loosely based on DESTRY RIDES AGAIN by Max Brand (previously filmed in 1932 and 1939) and directed by George Marshall, who directed the 1939 version. I'll be upfront, I'm not a fan of the 1939 film with James Stewart and Marlene Dietrich which is much admired so I had no problem with this remake. Actually, neither the 1939 movie or this remake bear much resemblance to the original novel. While it may lack the star power of its more famous predecessor, I'm rather fond of Audie Murphy and I liked Mari Blanchard's brassy saloon singer, the "bad" girl who comes around to the good side when she falls for Murphy's innocent charm. Still, while I'll take it over its 1939 cousin, it's a routine western at best. With Lori Nelson, Edgar Buchanan, Mary Wickes and Wallace Ford.