1939: The Year That Changed Westerns Forever

If you are a big fan of Westerns, 1939 was a landmark year in movies!

Iconic Westerns

There is an impressive set of movies in this category. If you like this type of movie there were two big titles! And what made this so extraordinary was they feature two legends who changed how viewers saw Westerns: James Stewart and John Wayne! It seemed to shape what audiences would enjoy for the rest of the 20th Century. The two titles from this historic year are Destry Rides Again (featuring James Stewart) and Stagecoach (with John Wayne.)

Destry Rides Again with James Stewart

Jimmy Stewart and Marlene Dietrich in Destry Rides Again Image

James Stewart, before he was known as the actor with an amazing amount of memorable roles in Westerns, had his debut in "Destry Rides Again!"

While he was mostly in romantic comedies and dramatic features at the time, Destry Rides Again gave the "Western" a different kind of style and personality!

What was really special? Stewart starred opposite Marlene Dietrich! What is a true classic and one that was remade years later in 1954 with the amazing actor Audie Murphy. It also gave those who weren't fans of these serious Westerns another interesting take with elements of comedy! The actor was even a hit on Broadway.

John Wayne's Stagecoach Breakthrough:

Marlene Dietrich on Jimmy Stewart's back in Destry Rides Again Image

John Wayne is also a superstar but unlike James Stewart he was not a newcomer. He already had several Westerns, however, most of these films weren't as successful!

What turned things around was this iconic movie that took John Wayne to another level!

It made "Stagecoach an awesome hit!
This amazing John Ford directed Western even made John Wayne an international star.

You'll really want to see this movie if you like action because it brings those dramatic moments! We are introduced to a great new hero and the perfect actor, in John Wayne, he played "The Ringo Kid" in Stagecoach. He went from a struggling Western actor to one of the most successful stars.

The Iconic Westerns Legacy:

Ward Bond in The Searchers and paul fix from The Sons of Katie Elder and John Wayne image for John Wayne's 10 most frequent co-stars Image

The history of "Stagecoach" is something that many remember and fans celebrate! You will love these iconic, captivating stories as "Stagecoach" and "Destry Rides Again" brought a special spark that lasted throughout time. Both have been nominated and even won Academy Awards! It is hard to imagine why these two titles haven't been featured in major movie lists but you are truly missing out if you haven't checked these movies out.

What's even more fascinating is that, in its time, it showed the importance of breaking away and challenging what viewers believed! Westerns were meant to be, and they certainly inspired even more projects! Not only were there other remakes of both movies, Stagecoach and Destry Rides Again really made their mark by adding to what became a popular culture phenomenon!

It might be time to add these films to your viewing list! You get to explore the evolution of the Western and a truly compelling history of "John Wayne" and "James Stewart." If you love the movies, and this iconic era of American cinema you have to see them. There's no reason why not, it might give you a new perspective as you learn more about how films, especially Westerns came to be and those special movies, like "Stagecoach" and "Destry Rides Again" which really made an unforgettable impact on cinema as we know it.

1939: The Year That Changed Westerns Forever

Iconic Westerns

Destry Rides Again with James Stewart

John Wayne's Stagecoach Breakthrough:

The Iconic Westerns Legacy:

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