MP - Gunfight at OK Corral

The role of the sidekick in any Western seems to be dwarfed compared to that of the alpha male cowboy. The alpha male consistently takes charge and is in the spotlight throughout the film. Although the sidekick always comes in and assists the alpha male in his task, he usually does not get much in return for aiding the hero. Such as any sidekick role in Westerns and movies, The Gunfight at the OK Corral depicts Doc Holliday (the sidekick) as the equivalent of his counterpart Wyatt Earp yet is not seen with the same glory.

Doc Holliday consistently is willing to put himself out there for Wyatt. While he may not get much praise for doing so, he is consistently striving towards being seen as the alpha male. Although Doc Holliday never truly steps into the role of alpha male, that is only because he does not see himself as being the true leader. By falling into Wyatt’s shadow constantly, he can act however he wants without much praise or fault placed on him. The loyalty involved in the relationship between Wyatt and Doc is seen in multiple sidekick roles while it is usually not seen between two alpha males. An alpha male cowboy generally casts out anybody he cares for or treats them as something less than equal while Wyatt treats Doc as his equivalent. Just like in The Searchers, Martin consistently steps up into the role of alpha male cowboy yet is never seen as an equal with Ethan. When Ethan’s morals almost fail him, it is Martin who brings him back to reality and truly lets Ethan complete the task he set out for.