Johnny Guitar/ Two Mules AP

In both Johnny Guitar and Two Mules for Sister Sara, women are the others. They are depicted as highly important characters, who sort of take away the fame from the famous alpha male cowboys.

In Johnny Guitar, the alpha male cowboy is shadowed by the main characters, who happen to be women. Both Vienna and Emma seem to lead their own pack of men. Vienna is an independent woman who takes care of a saloon and casino. She also clearly stands up to anyone who tries to get in her way. Vienna uses not only her words, but also her gun when necessary. She threatens the people who come into her saloon with wrong intentions and bosses all the men around. Vienna is a true strong woman, who clearly needs no man to continue with life. Emma, who is jealous of Vienna, also depicts a strong woman. She bosses the men on her side around and is not hesitant when it comes to pulling out a gun. She seems to start all of the trouble and fights for what she wants. Emma doesn’t even think twice when she has a chance to shoot Vienna. Both these women represent women of the time. In 1954, when this movie was made, women were beginning the women’s movement. It was a time when women started to feel more important and independent. There were more women in the labor force even though men came back from war and took their jobs back. Women were standing up for their right to work, and that can evidently be seen in Vienna’s character. She wants to keep her saloon, and fights for that.

In Two Mules for Sister Sara, both the alpha male cowboy and the female character play equally important roles. Sister Sara is saved by Hogan, the alpha male cowboy, but she also saves him. It comes to a point where it seems like the alpha male cowboy may actually not survive without Sara. Sister Sara depicts a very independent woman also. She goes riding out into the west with a mission. While on this journey with Hogan, she demonstrates male characteristics. For instance, she drinks whiskey and smokes. She also does not seem afraid to stand up against enemies. Sister Sara is an important part of this movie, because without her Hogan would have been killed. This movie comes at a time when women were already getting more rights. The women’s rights movement had been around for a while. However, laws were recently passed that granted women equal pay and that tried to get rid of discrimination. These laws were put in effect in order to let women have more rights, like the men in those times. Sister Sara is an obvious representation of this, since she seems to depend on Hogan just as much as he depends on her. The women of that time were becoming more equal, and one can see that through this movie.