Discussion Topic:
For this discussion forum, I’d like you to consider how Nicholas Ray is using the “Western” genre to explore social issues of the fifties. In other words, if he wanted to make a political film with “anti-witch hunt” themes, why do you think he chose a Western as the vehicle? As a starting point, you might consider the conventions of the genre and the extent to which the film conforms to those conventions. What is different or unexpected? Please refer to specific scenes and incidents to develop your response.
View this site to review characteristics of the Western film genre: https://www.filmsite.org/westernfilms.html
Cousins suggests that Nicholas Ray may have made the low-budget Western for similar reasons. Cousins describes Ray as “socially conscious, troubled and bisexual.” He rewrote the script for Johnny Guitar, “and introduced a fierce new political, anti-witch-hunt feel to the story of a saloon owner on the outskirts of Albuquerque, who is waiting for the railroad.” Although the film is called “Johnny Guitar,” the focus is on the character, Vienna, played by Joan Crawford, rather than the title character. She’s a “principled individualist” who stands up to the mob (townspeople and local authorities). The mob appears to be motivated by their fear of what/who the railroad might bring to their town. Vienna is different; she has built a saloon to welcome travellors, and she seems to welcome the change that the townspeople fear.