JP "Gunfight at the O.K Corral"

Throughout John Sturges western film, Gunfight at the O.K Corral, the role of the sidekick is shown through multiple characters. One potential relationship that can confuse the audience is the relationship between Charlie Bassett and Wyatt Earp. Rather playing the role of the sidekick, the audience can actually categorize Charlie as Wyatt’s protégé. Charlie works for Wyatt, looking up to him and is eager to be just like him. Wyatt is even ready to give Charlie his marshal badge before he runs off with Laura. Laura Denbow is a confident lady gambler, who plays cards in the town’s saloon, stirring up quite the commotion and ultimately catches the eyes of Wyatt. The two fall in love and make plans to run off together. However the plans get put on hold when Wyatt’s brother, a marshal at Tombstone, notifies him with the need for help with a gang of outlaws; as any typical alpha male cowboy, Wyatt must head to Tombstone immediately, putting his love life on hold.

The relationship between Wyatt and Doc Holiday, a gambler and gunman, can be observed as brotherly one minute and possible enemies in the next. However, by the end of the film, the audience can truly notice that Doc Holiday plays the role of the sidekick to the alpha male cowboy character of Wyatt. The audience watches a number of scenes where Doc and Wyatt interact, showing the mutual respect both have for one another. It is true that there may be a lapse of judgment between them at first instinct; however it never gets to the point for a gun to be shot or someone to be hurt. One example was after Wyatt’s brother gets shot in the town, Wyatt just wants to kill the outlaws right away, giving up on all he has ever worked for as a lawman; law over the gun. Doc tries to explain to Wyatt that, him shooting them is exactly what the outlaws want from him. Wyatt emphasizes that the outlaws have crossed the line, making this a personal matter at hand now. Another example of the two men’s mutual respect is through scenes where Doc reaches for his gun, Wyatt says no with his look of authority, and without question Doc puts the gun away. Even during a moment where if it weren’t for Wyatt’s influence or the respect Doc has for Wyatt, he would pull his gun and shoot instantly. The audience watches Doc consciously decide not to even go that low and betray Wyatt’s beliefs. Ultimately, Wyatt and Doc both benefit from their relationship.

During the film one may not be able to understand their relationship; however by the end they are able to see the true colors of this special bond. This bond is shown through the importance of protecting and caring for one another; something they both share for one another. One specific example of the extent the two men would go for the other is displayed through the last couple of scenes. Doc rises from his death bed, using all of his might to get up and be there for Wyatt. Doc expresses how important Wyatt is to him when he explains to Kate how he is the “only friend he has ever known,” and he would rather die with him if death is inevitably soon. Doc arrives in Wyatt’s room ready to take down a gang of outlaws on the O.K Canal, neither of them even have to speak, they take a shot of whiskey and walk out simultaneously, “…they dress alike, walk alike, talk alike, and finally they fight side by side as brothers.” (Tompkins 48). The two men take down the outlaws and walk out of the showdown alive and together.

The sidekick role in relation to the alpha male cowboy from Gunfight in the O.K Corral is different from any other relationship found within various Western films. In other Western films, the audience observes the alpha male cowboy’s sidekick acting as the cowboy’s protégé or even just a man who looks up to the cowboy as a role model. Instead, in this film the audiences observes Wyatt and Doc pair up and help each other out as equals. This can be directly compared to the Western film of Red River, where throughout the beginning of the film, Tom Dunson’s adoptive son Matthew, plays the role of his sidekick. As tables turn and the film progresses, Matthew steps out of the sidekick role into the alpha male cowboy’s role. In Wyatt and Doc’s case, Doc never has the desire to be like Wyatt, instead he is simply Wyatt’s friend and is his “partner in crime”; ready to lend a hand when he can.