The film Day of the Outlaw presents a different view towards woman as the “other” than other western films present and it also presents ideas of woman that connect with certain cultural ideas of the time. Day of the Outlaw presents woman in a contradictory way. First, Helen Crane seems to have some source of power and responsibility, as she talks with Blaise Starrett and tries to convince him not to kill her husband Hal, offering to resume their relationship in exchange for her husband’s life. She even tries to kiss Starrett in order to convince him to take her deal, and later she is the intermediary between him and her husband, offering thanks on behalf of Hal. On the other hand, Jack Bruhn’s gang treats women more as objects to be used. He makes them come and dance with the men and he withholds them so that his men can focus.
The treatment of women in this film can echo ideas of women in culture during the time period in which this film came out. Day of the Outlaw was made in 1959, and this was an interesting time for women in America. The woman’s movement was in full swing and women were on their way towards more equality at home, in the workplace, and in society. During the late 1950s, women became upset with the way they were treated socially. They had more legal protection and more rights, but they were far from equal. Women in Day of the Outlaw represent these ideas. The scene that especially exemplifies this idea occurs in the saloon after Jack Bruhn orders the woman to come dancing with the men. Some men respect the women they dance with and others could not disrespect the women more. This scene signifies where the women are in the feminist movement. Women have some basic rights, but yet they still are treated unequally in many areas. The ending statement comes when Jack Bruhn stops one of his men from taking advantage of one of the women. By stopping him, Bruhn signals that it is not all right to treat woman this way. This translates into culture by making the statement that it is not all right to treat woman unequally.
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The film Day of the Outlaw presents a different view towards woman as the “other” to the alpha male cowboy than other western films present. It also presents ideas of woman that connect with certain cultural ideas of the time. Day of the Outlaw shows woman in a contradictory way. First, Helen Crane seems to have some source of power and responsibility, as she talks with Blaise Starrett and tries to convince him not to kill her husband Hal, offering to resume their relationship in exchange for her husband’s life. She even tries to kiss Starrett in order to convince him to take her deal, and later she is the intermediary between him and her husband, offering thanks on behalf of Hal. On the other hand, Jack Bruhn’s gang treats women more as objects to use. He forces the women to dance with the men and he withholds them so that his men can focus.
ReplyDeleteThe treatment of women in this film echoes ideas of women in culture during the time period in which this film released and also makes an argument about women in American society. Day of the Outlaw released in 1959, an interesting time for women in America. The woman’s movement was in full swing and they were on their way towards more equality at home, in the workplace, and in society. During the late 1950s, women became upset with their position in society. They had more legal protection and more rights, but they were far from equal. Women in Day of the Outlaw represent these ideas. The scene that especially exemplifies this idea occurs in the saloon after Jack Bruhn orders the woman to come dancing with the men. Some men respect the women they dance with and others could not disrespect the women more. This scene signifies where the women are in the feminist movement. Women have some basic rights, but yet they still receive unequal treatment in many areas. The ending statement comes when Jack Bruhn stops one of his men from taking advantage of one of the women. By stopping him, Bruhn signals that it is not all right to treat woman like animals. Day of the Outlaw argues that the level of gender equality in America in the 1950s was unacceptable and needed to change.