KLR Day of the Outlaw

In The Day of the Outlaw, the only four women in the town are considered to be prized possessions by the men of the town yet objects of obsession by the outlaws. As characters in a Western film, they are not easily recognized as “the others” in relation to the protagonist and alpha male cowboy. Men’s view towards women changed from the beginning of the 50’s decade to the end. In the beginning, typical men saw women as property; they were a means of obtaining food and a clean home. Towards the end of the decade, women were seen more as individuals who had the same need as men to be recognized. Just two years prior to the release of the film, the “National Manpower Council (NMC) at Columbia University published its study, Womanpower, A Statement by the National Manpower Council with Chapters by the Council Staff.” Their analysis “called women "essential" and "distinctive" workers and recommended that the Secretary of Labor establish a committee to review "the consequences and adequacy of existing Federal and state laws which have a direct bearing on the employment of women" (Feminist Chronicles).
It was a recurring topic in society that women were trying to obtain an equal standing with men. In the film, there is a contrast between the idea that women were just property to men and the idea that they were their own individual. Helen Crane exemplifies the woman who submits to men’s authority. In an exchange, she says to Blaise “I’m not courageous; I do beg you not to kill my husband.” Compared to other Western films, Helen is lacking a sense of self confidence. Later in the film, she once again throws herself at Blaise saying, “I’ll offer myself to you, on any terms you want.” Once again, she is the woman that was typical of the early 1950’s.
Ernie, on the other hand, represents the more modern female in the 50’s. When searching for her brother, she slaps the guy who was stopping her in the face. Even then, she found a way around him when she wanted to see if her brother was OK. She disobeyed the man and snuck into the house. Even after the old man told her not to go, she continued forward looking for her brother to make sure he was all right, even taking him with her afterwards. At the end of the film, Ernie was the only person who would tell the men that there was no way they were getting through the mountain as there was no path. She was the outspoken one who had enough courage to tell them the truth. Although this film doesn’t define the women as typical helping characters, it does distinguish between two kinds of women, attacking the issue of how they are seen in society.

Works Cited

"The Feminist Chronicles, 1953-1993 - Part I - "... a Passion for the Possible" - Feminist Majority Foundation." Feminist Majority Foundation - Breaking News, Feminism from Affirmative Action to Sexual Harrassment to Women's Sports. 2009. Web. 27 Oct. 2010. .