Exploring Comedic Military Masculinity
Analyzing the representation of military masculinity in comedic films, this study delves into how humor affects gender norms within the military context. Through an examination of various top-grossing military comedies, alternate masculinities are explored alongside the portrayal of hegemonic masculinity. The findings challenge conventional military stereotypes and highlight unconventional thinkers in positions of authority.
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THE REPRESENTATION OF MILITARY MASCULINITY IN COMEDIC FILM Dr. Kristi Brownfield Northern State University
MILITARY MASCULINITY Dramatic or action films featuring military settings or military personnel tend to emphasize hegemonic masculinity (particularly violent physical masculinity) However, comedy and farce often can simultaneously provide more freedom in representations and further reinforce existing gender norms. Looking at the top 20 highest grossing military comedies, is hegemonic masculinity the focus of the jokes within the film or is it upheld as the norm similar to other military films? What alternate masculinities are portrayed in those films and are they condoned or condemned? What effect or influence does the specifically military context of the film have on the representation of gender roles more generally?
FILMS ANALYZED Tropic Thunder (2008) Hot Shots! (1991) Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993) Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) Stripes (1981) MASH (1970) Private Benjamin (1980) The Pacifier (2005) Down Periscope (1996) Major Payne (1995) In The Army Now (1994) Catch-22 (1970) Mister Roberts (1955) Operation Petticoat (1959) Delta Farce (2007) McHale s Navy (1997) I Was a Male War Bride (1949) Buck Privates (1941) The Secret War of Harry Figg (1968) What Did You Do in the War, Daddy (1966)
COMEDIC MILITARY MASCULINITIES The Double Act The Straight Man/Funny Man The Fish Out of Water The Underdog, The Misfit, and the Rebel The Sweet Bumbler and The Foolish Bumbler The Slacker and The Slacker
FINDINGS Placed in positions of power and authority (The Double Act, The Misfit, The Rebel) Predominantly middle-rank positions; directly in charge of a certain group but also answering to (or rebelling against) higher authority Characters placed in lower ranked positions as protagonists are used as the Funny Man to their superior s more hardline and dominating Straight Man Prove to be better leaders or better at bringing the soldiers together than their superiors Physicality isn t prized; intelligence is far more important The exceptions would be The Foolish Bumbler and The Slacker Luck or being in the right place at the right time leads to success Hardline adherence to military rules and norms is consistently undermined by unconventional thinkers This paints conventionality as incompetence
