A bit of the old West with a good bit of the old Dietrich in it; a tightly written, capitally directed show, with perfectly grand supporting performances.
90
Time Out
Time Out
Flawless performances, pacy direction and a snappy script place it head and shoulders above virtually any other spoof oater.
88
Slant MagazineChuck Bowen
Slant MagazineChuck Bowen
Above all, Destry Rides Again is fun, with a variety of stars and character actors utilizing their charisma with an expert sense of ease and offhandedness.
Destry Rides Again is anything but a super-western. It's just plain, good entertainment [from an original story by Felix Jackson suggested by Max Brand's novel], primed with action and laughs and human sentiment.
Typical James Stewart defeating bullies with integrity stuff.
80
TV Guide Magazine
TV Guide Magazine
Under the sure directorial hand of genre veteran Marshall, Destry Rides Again is a well-paced western that seamlessly combines humor, romance, suspense and action.
80
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
Directed by George Marshall, Destry revived Dietrich's waning screen career, and her barroom brawl with Una Merkel is a classic. [25 Aug 1996, p.74]
80
The New YorkerPauline Kael
The New YorkerPauline Kael
James Stewart is charming and even a little bit sexy as the mild-mannered Destry.
70
Chicago ReaderDave Kehr
Chicago ReaderDave Kehr
The material makes no demands on the talents of James Stewart and Marlene Dietrich, but they enter gamely into the farcical tone set by director George Marshall.