Day of the Outlaw - RS

As concerns women as "other," this is an odd film. From a cultural studies point of view, what women's issues does the film take up? Give examples.

The Day of the Outlaw came out in 1959, around the time of the women's movement in the United States. The film brings up a few women's issues such as women being treated as objects, and the infidelity that Helen brings upon her husband.

Jack Bruhn, played by Burl Ives, comes into town with his his gang, expecting women to come to his beckoning call. An example of this, occurs when at the social, when the women are passed around the dance floor, just as a bottle of alcohol may be passed around a bar. The men did not care how the women felt, all they cared about was themselves and the satisfaction they received from demeaning them.

Additionally Helen Crane, played by Tine Louise, cheats on her husband with Blaise. Yet the relationship is not a secret, although the husband may not know, the rest of the town does. An example is when Helen goes to Blaise's room, she asks Hal if he wants to go with her. Him rejecting to go, can indicate that he knew of the relationship and therefore rejected to go. Helen defines the women's movement by going against what the "other" was supposed to behave like.