They Shoot Horses, Don't They? is a 1969 film adaptation of Horace McCoy's 1935 novel of the same name. Directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Jane Fonda, the film is set during the Great Depression and follows a group of desperate Los Angeles residents who participate in a grueling dance marathon in hopes of winning the cash prize.
The film's protagonist is Gloria, a former actress who is now disillusioned with the world and sees the marathon as her last chance at fame and fortune. She partners with a sailor named Robert to endure the brutal physical and emotional demands of the marathon, which is controlled by manipulative emcee Rocky.
As the marathon drags on and contestants drop out one by one, tensions escalate and relationships fray. A delusional blonde named Alice begins exhibiting increasingly erratic behavior, while a pregnant girl named Ruby struggles to stay on her feet and protect her unborn child.
The film is a scathing critique of American capitalism and the exploitation of the individual for profit. Its title is derived from an expression popular at the time referring to putting injured horses out of their misery, suggesting that the lives of the marathon contestants are similarly disposable.
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? received nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Fonda. It is widely considered a classic of American cinema and a seminal work in the genre of social commentary films.