Traditionally, the alpha male cowboy dominates the the western film, while the "other" sits in the background. The alpha male is the strong character, and the "other", generally a woman, black, or an immigrant, provides a fill in role, to help the audience understand. However, the films Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970) and Johnny Guitar (1954) display "others" who are as strong a character as the alpha male cowboy. They are presented on a near equal level, which for the traditional western, is unheard of. Much of this spawned from the time period these films were produced.
For instance, Two Mules for Sister Sara comes out of a time when the Woman's movement was in full force. As such, Sara develops from a an unsuspecting helpless nun, into a woman who is on par with the alpha male cowboy. She drinks, smokes and shoots, all of which would be unheard of for the traditional "other"; however, because this is produced in such a time, the woman is granted more power. Because she was granted this power, the woman, who would traditionally be considered as the weak "other", was able to be as strong as the alpha male cowboy.
Similarly, in Johnny Guitar this same kind of strength is shown. This film came from a different time. In 1954, the Red Scare was a dominating reality. Being produced during a time when everyone was terrified of being accused of communism, aspects of this were seen in the film. Emma targeted and accused Vienna of nothing significant, much like suspected communists were. In this case, Vienna and Emma both represent the other in this instance. The alpha male cowboy, though he is present, is not what the plot is based around. Rather Vienna and her store, and her conflict with the town are. The alpha male cowboy works for the "other".
Traditionally, the alpha male cowboy dominates the western film, while the "other" sits in the background. The alpha male is the strong character, and the "other", generally a woman, black, or an immigrant, provides a fill in role, to help the audience understand. However, the films Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970) and Johnny Guitar (1954) display "others" who are as strong a character as the alpha male cowboy. They are presented on a near equal level, which for the traditional western, is unheard of. Much of this spawned from the time period these films were produced.
ReplyDeleteFor instance, Two Mules for Sister Sara comes out of a time when the Woman's movement was in full force. As such, Sara develops from a an unsuspecting helpless nun, into a woman who is on par with the alpha male cowboy. She drinks, smokes and shoots, all of which would be unheard of for the traditional "other"; however, because this is produced in such a time, the woman is granted more power. Also, she is able to become a leader, and affectively becomes the brains of the operation. Because she was granted this power, the woman, who would traditionally be considered as the weak "other", was able to be as strong as the alpha male cowboy.
Similarly, in Johnny Guitar this same kind of strength is shown. This film came from a different time. In 1954, the Red Scare was a dominating reality. Being produced during a time when everyone was terrified of being accused of communism, aspects of this were seen in the film. Emma targeted and accused Vienna of nothing significant, much like suspected communists were. In this case, Vienna and Emma both represent the other in this instance. The alpha male cowboy, though he is present, is not what the plot is based around. Rather Vienna and her store, and her conflict with the town are. The alpha male cowboy works for the "other". She is able to gain power, and assert herself; however, at the end of the film she is seen in a wedding dress, opposing her typical pants. This is a concession to the alpha male cowboy, because they must still be considered the most powerful in the western; however the others were beginning to grasp power.