They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969) dir. Sydney Pollack

They Shoot Horses Don’t They? is my favorite movie of all time. If you’ve read a bit about the Great Depression & the years following, you may know about the dance marathons they used to hold, if you don’t, you can read about them here. This film takes place in Santa Monica in the 1930s, and it covers a dance marathon from beginning to end, focusing on the characters Gloria Beatty (played by Jane Fonda) & Robert (played by Michael Sarrazin). If you’re into competition/game shows or reality tv, this may turn you off to them forever, or it’ll just show you that historically, people have always made spectacles of other people’s struggles, especially for minuscule payouts. BRUTAL. I read the book recently for the first time, and it took me about an hour & a half— this is one instance where i’d say the movie actually builds on the book. If you feel like reading it though, read before watching so you can use your imagination.