In both Johnny Guitar (1954) and Two Mules for Sister Sarah (1970), we see an attitude towards non-traditional female roles that reflects those of that time. Johnny Guitar is a unique western from the classical era in that the main character is not only a woman, but one of power. Vienna is a woman running her own saloon and casino outside of town. She orders the men around in her bar, wears pants, and carries a gun. Her own bartender says “Never seen a woman more a man. She thinks like one, acts like one...sometimes like me feel like a nut.” The elements of a ‘witch hunt’ are seen from Emma’s desire to hang her without any evidence. The townspeople reject her being different. She’s only accepted by other outlaws and strangers.
This idea of rejection of the different reflects America’s feelings towards Communists during the McCarthyism era in the United States. Many people, including people in government positions and in the film industry, were taken in custody and questioned by the House Committee on Un-American Activities with little or no evidence of any wrongdoing, or even of their political affiliations.
The attitude towards women in a non-traditional role changed drastically between 1954 and 1970, as this is seen in the movie Two Mules for Sister Sarah. Sarah, ironically dressed as a nun, drinks and smokes. She curses. She seems stronger than him. Garrison treats her unlike a nun, he makes advances on her. When he finds out she is not a nun but instead a prostitute, he is not repelled by her. The Mexicans also accept her. She tells them what to do, how to infiltrate the fort, and risks herself to help out the cause.
The contrast in acceptance towards women in a non-traditional role in Two Mules for Sister Sarah can be attributed to the women’s and civil rights movements of the 1960’s. Women and minorities made great strides in gaining equal rights in the 16 years between the movies. Women held positions of power outside the home. Men viewed women more as equals. Although the cold war continued, the communist witch hunts that occurred during the 40’s and 50’s had stopped.
In both Johnny Guitar (1954) and Two Mules for Sister Sarah (1970), we see an attitude towards non-traditional female roles that reflects those of that time. Johnny Guitar is a unique western from the classical era in that the main character is not only a woman, but one of power. Vienna is a woman running her own saloon and casino outside of town. She orders the men around in her bar, wears pants, and carries a gun. Her own bartender says “Never seen a woman more a man. She thinks like one, acts like one...sometimes like me feel like a nut.” The elements of a ‘witch hunt’ are seen from Emma’s desire to hang her without any evidence. The townspeople reject her being different. She’s only accepted by other outlaws and strangers.
ReplyDeleteThis idea of rejection of the different reflects America’s feelings towards Communists during the McCarthyism era in the United States. Many people, including people in government positions and in the film industry, were taken in custody and questioned by the House Committee on Un-American Activities with little or no evidence of any wrongdoing, or even of their political affiliations.
The attitude towards women in a non-traditional role changed drastically between 1954 and 1970, as this is seen in the movie Two Mules for Sister Sarah. Sarah, ironically dressed as a nun, drinks and smokes. She curses. She seems stronger than him. Garrison treats her unlike a nun, he makes advances on her. When he finds out she is not a nun but instead a prostitute, he is not repelled by her. The Mexicans also accept her. She tells them what to do, how to infiltrate the fort, and risks herself to help out the cause.
The contrast in acceptance towards women in a non-traditional role in Two Mules for Sister Sarah can be attributed to the women’s and civil rights movements of the 1960’s. Women and minorities made great strides in gaining equal rights in the 16 years between the movies. Women held positions of power outside the home. Men viewed women more as equals. Although the cold war continued, the communist witch hunts that occurred during the 40’s and 50’s had stopped.
I edited this post for correct italics for the films but the formatting did not copy over.
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