
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
People are the ultimate spectacle.
In the midst of the Great Depression, manipulative emcee Rocky enlists contestants for a dance marathon offering a $1,500 cash prize. Among them are a failed actress, a middle-aged sailor, a delusional blonde and a pregnant girl.
- 7.6
- 1969
- Released
- 2h 0m

Jane Fonda
Gloria Beatty
Michael Sarrazin
Robert Syverton
Susannah York
Alice LeBlanc
Gig Young
Rocky Gravo
Red Buttons
Sailor
Bonnie Bedelia
Ruby Bates
Michael Conrad
Rollo
Bruce Dern
James Bates
Al Lewis
Turkey
Robert Fields
Joel
Severn Darden
Cecil
Allyn Ann McLerie
Shirl
Madge Kennedy
Mrs. Laydon
Jacquelyn Hyde
Jackie
Felice Orlandi
Mario
Art Metrano
Max
Gail Billings
Lillian
Lynn Willis
Coley James
Maxine Greene
Agnes
Mary Gregory
Nurse
Robert Dunlap
College Boy
Paul Mantee
Jiggs
Tim Herbert
Doctor
Tom McFadden
Second Trainer
Noble 'Kid' Chissell
First Trainer
Ian Abercrombie
Male Dancer #74 (Uncredited)
Teddy Buckner
Band Member (Uncredited)
Fritzi Burr
Nurse (Uncredited)
Minta Durfee
Marathon Spectator (Uncredited)
Rudy Germane
Marathon Spectator (uncredited)
Released
en
- #dancing
- #based on novel or book
- #dance competition
- #boardwalk
- #marathon
- #pregnant woman
- #endurance
- #depression era
- #prize money
- #dance contest
- #contests and competitions
- #ballroom
- #assisted suicide
- #santa monica, california
- #depressed woman
- #survival competition
- #bleak
- #emcee
- #period film
- #desperate woman
- #suicide by gun
- #crazy competition
- #gun death
- #physical competition
- #santa monica pier
Reviews

Despite the constant streams of sweat on display here, there is something physically and emotionally arid about this two hours of cinematic torture. With the depression in full swing, the down-at-heart “Gloria” (Jane Fonda) heads to California in the hope of becoming a starlet. Meantime, equally disheartened “Robert” (Michael Sarazin) is frustrated that he can’t make a career at the other end of t











