Cleanliness

People who followed the cry to "Go West" frequently went weeks or months without taking a bath. As a result, they were covered in filth and reeked of bad body odor after hiking across the rough topography of North America.

Fair enough, the major Hollywood studios have always recognized the importance of star power and sex appeal. However, someone who is clean-shaven and looks more like Gary Cooper or Roy Rogers will likewise sell more tickets at the box office than someone who is flea-covered and resembles the "Unabomber."

Ironically, despite having significantly higher standards of personal hygiene, American's first people are frequently depicted as dirty "savages." As a result of their long-standing local knowledge, they were also able to frequently cleanse themselves in lakes, rivers, and streams.