Queer Film Theory 101: Johnny Guitar
<p><em>“I’ve never met a woman who was more man.”</em></p> <p>Joan. Crawford. Ms. No Wire Hangers herself. A queer icon. A legendary pair of eyebrows. The Ultimate Movie Star. In choosing which Crawford film to screen as part of Queer Film Theory 101, we really could’ve gone in any direction. We decided to go with a somewhat lesser-known yet highly influential gem from director Nicholas Ray, JOHNNY GUITAR from 1954. </p> <p>When reformed gunslinger Johnny Guitar (Sterling Hayden) returns to the small Arizona cattle town he once resided in, he’s met with a complicated reception from his former lover, saloon owner Vienna (Joan Crawford). The drama escalates as Emma Small (Mercedes McCambridge), Vienna’s rival, targets her and her establishment for associating with local gang leader “Dancin' Kid” (Scott Brady), the man responsible for killing her brother. Now don’t get it twisted, the film may be called JOHHNY GUITAR, but the real action of this stylized western isn’t focused on the titular Mr. Guitar at all; instead, the true story and so much of the film's queerness comes from the tense and sexually charged relationship between its female leads, Crawford and McCambridge. These two women (and actresses for that matter) hold a bitter and violent resentment of each other, but at the same time, so clearly and desperately want to have gay sex. These two tough cookies can't take their eyes off each other, and every scene they share oozes with hatred and desire. Mix all of this with Crawford’s exceptionally butch styling and dommy mommy charisma, and you’ve got a potently queer-coded film perfect for Queer Film Theory 101. See you out on the range, cowgirls!</p>