Destry Rides Again was my #15. To steal an adjective from Mark, it's a "rip-roaring" good time and a classic of the western genre for a reason. James Stewart once again laying on that effortless charm. The sexy spitfire Marlene Dietrich playing a more empowered female role than you typically find in westerns. Her constant catfights in the saloon were a riot, and I also enjoyed her musical numbers. The movie is well-written, well-acted, well-paced. The final shoot-out is thrilling. I preferred the first half of the film, with its playful, silly tone, but the more predictable second half didn't affect my opinion enough to keep this from being one of the most entertaining classic westerns I've seen.
Swing Time was my #17. Admittedly, all of the Astaire/Rogers musicals have blended together in my memory, but this was my introduction to them, so perhaps that's why it remains my favorite. In the debate between Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, I'm Team Astaire. There's something off-putting about him initially. He's unattractive, arrogant, a bit smarmy, but then he starts dancing and you become spellbound. Suddenly he seems cool. Suddenly it makes sense that a babe like Ginger Rogers would be romantically interested in him. The plot of
Swing Time is forgettable, but the dance numbers are timeless. The chemistry between Astaire and Rogers is magical. Just an all-around delightful, enchanting film. Between the Busby Berkeley numbers and the Astaire/Rogers collaborations that I've watched in preparation for this countdown, I've become a fan of musicals, a genre that I used to consider my least favorite.
My List So Far:
#3) Footlight Parade
#15) Destry Rides Again
#16) Stage Door
#17) Swing Time
#25) Suzy (one-pointer)