“…The central relationships in the Western are conventionally those of the male hero and intimate (sidekick), and the central group is all male” (Matheson 903). The alpha-male cowboy is always the central figure in western films, but the sidekick whether it is female or male plays a role in aiding the alpha-male cowboy.
In the film Gunfight at O.K. Corral the alpha-male is Marshal Wyatt Earp and the sidekick is Doc Holliday. Doc Holliday is an unusual sidekick because he is considered a villain by many people in the town and trouble always seems to find him in some way. However, when Wyatt finds out Doc is unjustly being set up for a lynching he steps in and helps Doc escape. Doc says he is only in debt to one person in the world and that is Wyatt, so that is why Doc goes to help him. They slowly begin to develop a closer relationship; Doc tells Wyatt that they are pretty much the same person, both living lives by the gun. The only difference between them is that Wyatt has a badge and Doc does not. Doc never steps in and takes over the lead role in the film; he is always seen walking behind Wyatt or stepping in, in some way to help Wyatt. When Pierce and Ringo come into the town causing complete chaos Wyatt steps in to get them to put down their guns and leave. But it isn’t until Doc comes in from behind to help that they both get them all to leave. As the movie continues we see Doc and Wyatt’s relationship grow and we see the respect Doc has for Wyatt. When he comes face to face with Ringo he refuses to fight him knowing he can’t because of Wyatt. At the end of the movie even though he is dying he goes to help Wyatt and his brother fight because he knows he is going to die soon and says “he would rather die with the only friend I have.”
Doc like many other sidekicks plays an influential role in the alpha-male being able to carry out his duties and is not seen as a minor character while doing so. He was similar in some ways to Matthew from Red River. Both Matthew and Doc had a well-known reputation with other people in the town and surrounding area. Also, each are very well know as gunmen. Matthew is known as being a sharpshooter and Doc is a gunfighter. The major difference between the two is that as Red River continues Matthew starts to step out of his role of the sidekick and into alpha-male status. He challenges Tom’s authority and eventually takes over the cattle herd. Doc never steps out of the sidekick role because he has no desire too and has too much respect for Wyatt.
Another view of the sidekick is seen in Two Mules for Sister Sara where the sidekick is a woman, Sara. This view is different than the ones seen in the other two films because Sara is not someone well-know or well-respected in the west. She has to gain the respect of Hogan as the film goes on. She at one point saves his life by taking the arrow out of his chest and then later on helps the Spanish defeat the French by using herself as bait. Just as Sara had to gain the respect and trust of Hogan to become the sidekick; Doc had to gain Wyatt’s trust. In the end he never leaves his role as the sidekick fighting next to Wyatt till the end.
“…The central relationships in the Western are conventionally those of the male hero and intimate (sidekick), and the central group is all male” (Matheson 903). The alpha-male cowboy is always the central figure in western films, but the sidekick plays a role in aiding the alpha-male cowboy.
ReplyDeleteIn the film Gunfight at O.K. Corral the alpha-male is Marshal Wyatt Earp and the sidekick is Doc Holliday. Doc Holliday is an unusual sidekick because he is considered a villain by many people in the town and trouble always seems to find him in some way. However, when Wyatt finds out Doc is unjustly set up for a lynching he steps in and helps Doc escape. As the movie continues Doc says he is only in debt to one person in the world and that is Wyatt. So that is why Doc feels he must go help him. The two slowly begin to develop a closer relationship; Doc tells Wyatt that they are pretty much the same person, both living by the law of the gun. The only difference between them is that Wyatt has a badge and Doc does not. Doc never steps in and takes over the lead role in the film; he is always seen walking behind Wyatt or stepping in some way to help Wyatt. When Pierce and Ringo come into the town causing complete chaos Wyatt steps in to get them to put down their guns and leave. But it isn’t until Doc comes in from behind to help that they both get them all to leave. As the movie continues we see Doc and Wyatt’s relationship grow and we see the respect Doc has for Wyatt. When he comes face to face with Ringo he refuses to fight him knowing he can’t because of Wyatt. At the end of the movie even though he is dying he goes to help Wyatt and his brothers fight because he knows he is going to die soon. Doc said “he would rather die with the only friend I have.”
Doc like many other sidekicks plays an influential role in the alpha-male being able to carry out his duties and is not seen as a minor character while doing so. He was similar in some ways to Matthew from Red River. Both Matthew and Doc had a well-known reputation with other people in the town and surrounding area. Also, each are very well know as gunmen. Matthew is known as being a sharpshooter and Doc is a gunfighter. The major difference between the two is that as Red River continues Matthew starts to step out of his role of the sidekick and into alpha-male status. He challenges Tom’s authority and eventually takes over the cattle herd. Doc never steps out of the sidekick role because he has no desire too and has too much respect for Wyatt.
Another view of the sidekick is seen in Two Mules for Sister Sara where the sidekick is a woman, Sara. This view is different than the ones seen in the other two films because Sara is not someone well-know or well-respected in the west. She has to gain the respect of Hogan as the film goes on. She at one point saves his life by taking the arrow out of his chest and then later on helps the Spanish defeat the French by using herself as bait. Just as Sara had to gain the respect and trust of Hogan to become the sidekick; Doc had to gain Wyatt’s trust. In the end he never leaves his role as the sidekick, fighting next to Wyatt till the end.