It is quite evident in these two films that there are females in the position of the alpha male cowboy. Sarah, from Two Mules for Sister Sarah, may not be more alpha then Hogan, but she earned respect from various men. She played a part in every scheme and slowly earned the respect and trust from everyone around her. She put herself in harms way on numerous occasions, much like the alpha male cowboy.
In Johnny Guitar, Vienna takes the role of the alpha male. Even from the begining, Vienna seems to be in charge, displaying her leadership by running the casino. Historically, in westerns gambling has always been ascociated with men. Men do it and they are awful for it, are the views of the average woman in a western. Vienna on the other hand embraces it. By pursuing a conflict with Emma, she again proves that she is worthy of the title alpha male cowboy. She goes so far as to settle it with a shootout, in which she is the victor.
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