JM "Gunfight at O.K. Corral"

In the typical western film the alpha male is aided by a sidekick who acts as a counterpart to assist him in his journey. These sidekicks are involved in much of the action and can sometimes be crucial to the alpha males’ success, yet are never looked at as alpha male figures themselves, nor do they normally receive the respect and credit that they so rightfully deserve. The film Gunfight at O.K. Corral displays this relationship in its depiction of Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp.

The main difference that separates Doc Holliday and Wyatt is the mostly in the way they are perceived by their surrounding cast. Wyatt is seen as the alpha male because he displays typical alpha male traits such as being quiet, expressive through violence, and guided by his own moral compass. Although Doc Holliday is not the alpha male, he demonstrates all these same qualities. In fact, in many ways the role of sidekick is equivalent to the role of the alpha male. Doc Holliday is quick to use his gun skills to both appease his own desires, but also to assist Wyatt when needed. Furthermore, Wyatt seems to consider Doc Holliday an equal which is very uncharacteristic of the alpha male to sidekick relationship. Further similarities extend to the fact that both avoid the use of language as much as possible, and that both dismiss the company of their perspective women counterparts. The comment is made in the film claiming that they are for most part the same person, showing the significance of their unique relationship.

The first reason that the titles of the two characters can be described as alpha male to sidekick stems from Doc Holliday’s willingness to without hesitation defend or aid Wyatt. This suggests that Doc Holliday has some form of attachment to Wyatt, a trait that is not conducive of an alpha male. The second reason that Holliday does not fit the alpha male role is due to his health. The role of an alpha male implies a certain sense of invulnerability from harm, which Doc Holliday does not fit do to his deteriorating health. Therefore, while Doc Holliday shows many signs of being capable of a similar role to the alpha male, he does not escape the role of the sidekick in the film.