Gun fight at OK Corral - SJC

The film The Gunfight at OK Corral is a unique film for the fact that it features a side kick who is almost the alpha-male cowboy of the film. Doc Holiday is Wyatt Earp’s sidekick and longtime friend and helps Wyatt kill a band of bandits who threaten the town and Kill Wyatt’s younger brother. Doc Holiday features almost all the traits of an alpha-male cowboy spare a few vital characteristics that keep him at a mere sidekick level. According to Jane Tompkins an alpha-male cowboy needs to be strong, silent, and great with his weapon and act in a morally just manor. When looking at Doc Holiday it is evident that he fits most of these traits. Doc is quiet; he speaks only when he needs to or when actually addressed. Doc would much rather use his weapon to decide who is right or who cheated as opposed to using his words to discuss the disagreement. Doc Holiday is also an amazing shot and Wyatt even admits that Doc can use his weapon better than him. It is because of Doc and his great shooting skills that Wyatt and his friends win the day and survive as Doc manages to kill two bandits one who was about to kill Wyatt because Wyatt couldn’t kill the kid. Doc kills a kid to save Wyatt’s life, this is an example of why Doc is not the alpha-male cowboy as well as why he could be. He kills the kid to save his friend proving he is stronger than Wyatt but killing a kid is morally questionable. Killing children is never really appropriate and is why Wyatt almost allowed himself to be killed but since Doc has no moral compass killing is killing no matter who is the victim. Aside from killing the kid, Doc is also known to be a thief and a con-artist and routinely swindles people out of their money. Aside from being morally questionable Doc is also weaker than Wyatt. Doc Holiday is sick and dying and so physically he is weaker than the true alpha-male cowboy Wyatt Earp, being sick and being morally questionable is enough to rule him out as the possible alpha-male cowboy of the film.