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They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969)

Rate: 8
Viewed: 8/06, 2/19

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8/06: They Shoot Horses, Don't They? is an apt title because it's a powerful, unique picture about a forgotten sporting event that occurred during the Great Depression.

Certainly not a Jane Fonda movie at all, this one has fine acting and surreal moments. Michael Sarrazin, Susannah York, and Oscar winner Gig Young are the standouts. The desperate look on Susannah York's face says it all about the struggle.

All in all, who cares about the winner of the marathon dance contest in They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

2/19: They Shoot Horses, Don't They? is a brilliant, sad movie about a now-banned sporting event that went on during the Great Depression.

There used to be dance marathons from 1923-1932 which enticed financially broke couples for shelter and meals as long as they kept dancing, which went on for weeks or months, until there's a final couple standing to win a cash award. Disqualifications came to those who stopped dancing or fell to the ground on their knees.

Some companies would sponsor the contestants by slapping logos on their backs. Fifteen-minute bathroom and nap breaks were offered by the hour. The contestants were forced to sleep on beds that were situated in the middle of the dance floor in front of the spectators who were charged an entrance fee of two bits. To reduce the number of dancing pairs, there were elimination sprints aka derbies. After the mounting number of suicides and deaths among the exhausted dancers, dance marathons were finally outlawed and then disappeared for good.

So, yes...They Shoot Horses, Don't They? captures all of them which features powerful performances by Oscar winner Gig Young, Michael Sarrazin, Susannah York, and Red Buttons, among others. The most surreal moment is when the contestants are forced to do the derby and everybody is exhausted and desperate not to be the last couple to cross the finish line.

All in all, you have to see They Shoot Horses, Don't They? to believe it.