Traditionally, the sidekick in the Western is a character who devotes his service to the alpha male cowboy, and in the end fails to live up to his status. Generally, the sidekick is inexperienced and lacks the gumption to hold his own on the frontier. In the case of The Searchers, the sidekick Martin attempts to stand up to the alpha male cowboy and demand his respect; however, through his failed attempts, he manages to secure his position below the alpha male cowboy. Similarly, the sidekick in Red River, Matt, attempts to usurp the alpha male cowboy, but in the end fails, as he is constantly afraid of him, and looking over his shoulder.
This is not the case in Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. As opposed to a clear sidekick and alpha male cowboy, Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday represent one of the only films in which two alpha male cowboys coexist. Unlike the traditional westerns the two alpha male cowboys never attempt to be the stronger of the two, because of the mutual respect for one another. Furthermore, both give up the girl, in order to tend to owns duty. Both ignore their woman, which is typical alpha male behavior. The similarities of their duties are an important note. Earp releases Holliday, as it is his duty to save an innocent man, while Holliday goes to near certain death to defend his friend Earp. Both alpha males have a quick draw, and are unyielding to fear. This is the only film, in which two alpha males may coexist.
Traditionally, the sidekick in the Western is a character who devotes his service to the alpha male cowboy, and in the end fails to live up to his status. Generally, the sidekick is inexperienced and lacks the gumption to hold his own on the frontier. In the case of The Searchers, the sidekick Martin attempts to stand up to the alpha male cowboy and demand his respect; however, through his failed attempts, he manages to secure his position below the alpha male cowboy. Similarly, the sidekick in Red River, Matt, attempts to usurp the alpha male cowboy, but in the end fails, as he is constantly afraid of him, and looking over his shoulder.
ReplyDeleteThis is not the case in Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. As opposed to a clear sidekick and alpha male cowboy, Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday represent one of the only films in which two alpha male cowboys coexist. Unlike the traditional westerns the two alpha male cowboys never attempt to be the stronger of the two, because of the mutual respect for one another. Furthermore, both give up the girl, in order to tend to ones own duty. Both ignore their woman, which is typical alpha male behavior. The similarities of their duties are an important note. Earp releases Holliday, as it is his duty to save an innocent man, while Holliday goes to near certain death to defend his friend Earp. Both alpha males have a quick draw, and are unyielding to fear. In addition, both need each other, so Holliday cannot be a sidekick. Earp, almost has a breakdown when he thinks Holliday will die before confronting his foes. This is the only film, in which two alpha males may coexist.