Masculinity in Arizona has always been prominently represented to the world through politics – and this is more pronounced than ever before. Colorful, fiery characters are a hallmark of Arizona history where masculine bravado and huge egos have taken center stage. One of the first films examined for this course, The Baron Of Arizona presented this type to sensational effect as the “Baron” brusquely and methodically clawed himself up from nowhere to an incredible position of power and wealth – which naturally created intense conflicts with other settlers in the Arizona Territory and eventually with the federal government which led to his downfall. Nonetheless, Arizona is still one of these places in America where reinvention and starting over have always been an indelible part of Arizona character, whether speaking of the “Old West” or the present day.
Of course, starting over and blazing a new path in life is not exclusively a male prerogative – as many women have chosen to come here as well with a clean slate. However, this mentality is still more associated with males, particularly as cinematic portrayals from the past have invariably presented men in the active, domineering roles (although Johnny Guitar is the one notable exception with female protagonists) and these images to stick out the most. Getting back to politics, though; Arizona has had quite a number of controversial characters and especially among those that have occupied the governor’s office. In fact, in modern times one of them was successfully impeached (Evan Mecham) in 1988 on six felony counts (perjury among them) and not long after that another one resigned (Fife Symington) after a felony conviction in 1997 for seven counts of bank and wire fraud.
In the first and more noteworthy incident, Mecham also managed to get himself into a huge civil rights flap by cancelling Martin Luther King and making numerous other racially charged comments during his short tenure of just over a year in office. No discussion of political firestorms and the male-driven egos would be complete without mentioning Sheriff Joe Arpaio. As another student had commented: “a Dirty Harry type” sums up Arpaio pretty well. His intractable, uncompromising “law and order-come hell or high water” attitudes have certainly gained international renown and have cemented much of Arizona’s Old West heritage into the present mindset of the rest of the world. Even Jan Brewer’s prickly confrontations with President Obama over the endless immigration controversies would have been considered the preserve of males – and a primary masculine trait. She has proved to be no slouch in that department either.
After reviewing this class assignment from over ten years ago and deciding to add it to my blog, something jogged in my memory. Years ago there was another film I watched, but which was not part of any ASU Film & Media assignment. The title of this one is totally apt: Toughest Man In Arizona (Republic, 1952). Unlike The Baron Of Arizona, this story was not based on true events but is a composite of any number of rough-and-tumble Arizona characters that have populated the state’s turbulent history. Toughest Man venerates the ideal tough, steely cowboy ideal with a good deal of gunplay and US Marshall Matt Landry (played by matinee idol Vaughn Monroe) is bravely determined to save the lawless, raucous town of Tombstone from itself. Toughest Man In Arizona is another entertaining, action-packed addition to the state’s extensive film legacy.
