History Film / TheyShootHorsesDontThey

Would-be film director Robert Syverton (Michael Sarrazin) wanders into the shabby La Monica Ballroom on the Santa Monica Pier just as contestants are being signed in for a dance marathon with a cash prize of $1,500. When the partner of cynical aspiring actress Gloria Beatty (Creator/JaneFonda) is disqualified for having a cough that could be a sign of tuberculosis, Rocky (Creator/GigYoung), the fast-talking MC of the marathon, recruits Robert as Gloria's new partner. Other contestants include middle-aged former sailor Harry Kline (Creator/RedButtons), aspiring actress Alice (Creator/SusannahYork) and her partner Joel (Robert Fields), and farm worker James (Creator/BruceDern) and his heavily pregnant wife Ruby (Creator/BonnieBedelia).

* ICannotSelfTerminate: Gloria is suicidally depressed even at the beginning of the film, but when she actually has the gun in her hand, she can't pull the trigger, and must ask Robert to shoot her instead.

A 1969 film [[TheFilmOfTheBook based on]] [[Literature/TheyShootHorsesDontThey the Horace McCoy novel of the same name]] and directed by Creator/SydneyPollack, ''They Shoot Horses, Don't They?'' focuses on the participants in a gruelling California dance marathon in 1932, in the depths of TheGreatDepression.

The rules are simple: they dance round the clock with ten minute breaks every two hours (contestants have to learn to "sleep" standing up), and the last couple standing wins the cash prize. The marathon drags on for days, then weeks, and the contestants' tempers quickly fray. Gloria and Robert attract the attention of local widow Mrs. Laydon (Madge Kennedy), who persuades a local ironmonger to sponsor them in exchange for wearing [[ProductPlacement sweatshirts advertising their business]]. However, Gloria becomes jealous of the attention Robert is giving Alice, and exchanges partners with her. This proves short-lived as Joel receives a job offer and Gloria pairs off with Harry.

A 1969 film [[TheFilmOfTheBook based on]] [[Literature/TheyShootHorsesDontThey the Horace McCoy novel of the same name]] and directed by Creator/SydneyPollack, ''They Shoot Horses, Don't They?'' focuses on the participants in a grueling California dance marathon in 1932, in the depths of TheGreatDepression.

* CrapsackWorld: It would be difficult indeed to argue that the characters don't inhabit one of these. With the United States deep in the vise-like grip of TheGreatDepression, the contestants are not just unemployed and penniless, but, with ''very'' few exceptions (such as Gloria's sometime dance partner Joel), unlikely to find work any time soon, and many of them only signed up for the marathon for the free food (one of them drops out at the very first break, snarking that maybe he'll try flagpole sitting next). As days turn into weeks, the contestants suffer various levels of physical and mental breakdown, while Rocky exploits them for the entertainment of the paying spectators. Finally, unbeknownst to any of dancers, [[spoiler:expenses will be deducted from the winners' cash prize, leaving them with almost nothing]].

* TitleDrop: As the police are arresting Robert for Gloria's murder, they ask him why he did it. When his first answer, "She asked me," does not satisfy them, he remembers having seen his grandfather put a wounded horse out of its misery as a boy (seen in a stylized flashback during the opening credits) and answers with the film's title.

A 1969 film [[TheFilmOfTheBook based on]] [[Literature/TheyShootHorsesDontThey the Horace McCoy novel of the same name]] and directed by Creator/SydneyPollack, ''They Shoot Horses, Don't They?'' focuses on the participants in a grueling California dance marathon in 1932, at the height of TheGreatDepression.

** When Rocky bars Gloria's partner from the marathon for health reasons, she points at Ruby and snaps, "What about her? If she ain't pregnant, [[AndImTheQueenOfSheba I'm Nelson Eddy]]."

* TitleDrop: As the police are arresting Robert for Gloria's murder, they ask him why he did it. When his first answer, "She asked me," does not satisfy them, he remembers having seen his grandfather put a wounded horse out of its misery as a boy (seen in a stylised flashback during the opening titles) and answers with the film's title.

* ShoutOut: At one point Rocky announces to the crowd that movie director Mervyn [=LeRoy=] is in attendance.
-->'''Rocky:''' How about it, Mr. [=LeRoy=]? Almost as much excitement here as in ''Film/LittleCaesar'', right?

-->'''Gloria:''' No, for Christ's sake, the dog.

* CrapsackWorld: It would be difficult indeed to argue that the characters don't inhabit one of these. With the United States deep in the vise-like grip of UsefulNotes/TheGreatDepression, the contestants are not just unemployed and penniless, but, with ''very'' few exceptions (such as Gloria's sometime dance partner Joel), unlikely to find work any time soon, and many of them only signed up for the marathon for the free food (one of them drops out at the very first break, snarking that maybe he'll try flagpole sitting next). As days turn into weeks, the contestants suffer various levels of physical and mental breakdown, while Rocky exploits them for the entertainment of the paying spectators. Finally, unbeknownst to any of dancers, [[spoiler:expenses will be deducted from the winners' cash prize, leaving them with almost nothing]].

* CrapsackWorld: It would be difficult indeed to argue that the characters don't inhabit one of these. With the United States deep in the vice-like grip of the Great Depression, the contestants are not just unemployed and penniless, but, with ''very'' few exceptions (such as Gloria's sometime dance partner Joel), unlikely to find work any time soon, and many of them only signed up for the marathon for the free food (one of them drops out at the very first break, snarking that maybe he'll try flagpole sitting next). As days turn into weeks, the contestants suffer various levels of physical and mental breakdown, while Rocky exploits them for the entertainment of the paying spectators. Finally, unbeknownst to any of dancers, [[spoiler:expenses will be deducted from the winners' cash prize, leaving them with almost nothing]].

* DownerEnding: Robert and Gloria drop out of the marathon after learning that they will receive almost no money even if they do win, since expenses will be deducted from the prize money. Finally pushed over the brink of despair, Gloria tries to shoot herself, but cannot pull the trigger and asks Robert to do so for her. He does, and is arrested for her murder. It is implied, though not stated, that he is hanged for the crime. Meanwhile, the remaining marathon contestants are almost dead on their feet but continue grimly on, unaware that the cash prize they're killing themselves for might as well not exist for all they'll see of it.

* DownerEnding: Robert and Gloria drop out of the marathon after learning that they will receive almost no money even if they do win. Finally pushed over the brink of despair, Gloria tries to shoot herself, but cannot pull the trigger and asks Robert to do so for her. He does, and is arrested for her murder. It is implied, though not stated, that he is hanged for the crime. Meanwhile, the remaining marathon contestants are almost dead on their feet but continue grimly on, unaware that the cash prize they're killing themselves for might as well not exist for all they'll see of it.

A 1969 film [[TheFilmOfTheBook based on]] [[Literature/TheyShootHorsesDontThey the Horace McCoy novel of the same name]] and directed by Creator/SydneyPollack, ''They Shoot Horses, Don't They?'' focuses on the participants in a gruelling California dance marathon in 1932, at the height of TheGreatDepression.

* AnachronicOrder: Averted in real life. The film was shot in sequence, to better depict the characters' increasing fatigue and dishevelment.

* AnachronicOrder: Averted in real life. The film was shot in sequence, to better depict the characters' increasing fatigue.

Would-be film director Robert Syverton (Michael Sarrazin) wanders into the shabby La Monica Ballroom on the Santa Monica Pier just as contestants are being signed in for a dance marathon with a cash prize of $1,500. When the partner of cynical aspiring actress Gloria Beatty (Creator/JaneFonda) is disqualified for having a cough that could be a sign of tuberculosis, Rocky (Creator/GigYoung), the fast-talking MC of the marathon, recruits Robert as Gloria's new partner. Other contestants include middle-aged former sailor Harry Kline (Creator/RedButtons), aspiring actress Alice (Creator/SusannahYork) and her partner Joel (Robert Fields), and farm worker James (Creator/BruceDern) and his heavily pregnant wife Ruby (Bonnie Bedelia).

%% * GoOutWithASmile: As she dies, Gloria's expression is at perhaps its most serene in the entire film.

* ThemeTuneCameo: At one point "Easy Come, Easy Go" is performed in-universe by a singer/pianist during the marathon.

* CrapsackWorld: It would be difficult indeed to argue that the characters don't inhabit one of these.

[[quoteright:290:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fotocena7_5553.jpg]]

Would-be film director Robert Syverton (Michael Sarrazin) wanders into the shabby La Monica Ballroom on the Santa Monica Pier just as contestants are being signed in for a dance marathon with a cash prize of $1,500. When the partner of cynical aspiring actress Gloria Beatty (Creator/JaneFonda) is disqualified for having a cough that could be a sign of tuberculosis, Rocky (Creator/GigYoung), the fast-talking MC of the marathon, recruits Robert as Gloria's new partner. Other contestants include middle-aged former sailor Harry Kline (Creator/RedButtons), aspiring actress Alice (Susannah York) and her partner Joel (Robert Fields), and farm worker James (Creator/BruceDern) and his heavily pregnant wife Ruby (Bonnie Bedelia).

Would-be film director Robert Syverton (Michael Sarrazin) wanders into the shabby La Monica Ballroom on the Santa Monica Pier just as contestants are being signed in for a dance marathon with a cash prize of $1,500. When the partner of cynical aspiring actress Gloria Beatty (Creator/JaneFonda) is disqualified for having a cough that could be a sign of tuberculosis, Rocky (Creator/GigYoung), the fast-talking MC of the marathon, recruits Robert as Gloria's new partner. Other contestants include middle-aged former sailor Harry Kline (Red Buttons), aspiring actress Alice (Susannah York) and her partner Joel (Robert Fields), and farm worker James (Creator/BruceDern) and his heavily pregnant wife Ruby (Bonnie Bedelia).

* GoOutWithASmile: As she dies, Gloria's expression is at perhaps its most serene in the entire film.

The film was a hit with critics and audiences, though it holds the dubious distinction of receiving the highest number of UsefulNotes/AcademyAward nominations without being nominated for Best Picture, with nine (it won just one: Best Supporting Actor for Gig Young as Rocky). The film's title is perhaps more widely known than the film itself, with many works named by variants of [[TheJoyOfX "They Shoot ____, Don't They?"]], whether or not the plot bears any resemblance to that of the film. ([[Website/TheyShootPicturesDontThey This website]], for example.)

A 1969 film [[TheFilmOfTheBook based on]] [[Literature/TheyShootHorsesDontThey the Horace McCoy novel of the same name]] and directed by Creator/SydneyPollack, ''They Shoot Horses, Don't They?'' focuses on the participants in a grueling California dance marathon in 1932, at the height of TheGreatDepression.

* TitleDrop: As the police are arresting Robert for Gloria's murder, they ask him why he did it. When his first answer, "She asked me," does not satisfy them, he remembers having seen his grandfather put a wounded horse out of its misery as a boy (seen in a stylized flashback during the opening titles) and answers with the film's title.