From long-time friend and admirer Kitty Myers, I received in the mail today a DVD of Sydney Pollack’s 1969 film adaptation of Horace McCoy’s bleak Depression era novel (1935), They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?, the despairing tale of a tragic marathon dance contest in Los Angeles at a perilous time for the nation’s economy (Sound familiar?).
“They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” is a terrific book and a fantastic movie. When I went casually looking for more information on the title at Wikipedia — notorious for a lack of oversight where outside editorial contributions are concerned — I found this link, perhaps placed by an ABC-TV employee armed with a sense of irony — at the bottom of the page.
[...] Gegenstimme wrote an interesting post today on They Shoot Small-Time Celebrities, Don’t They?Here’s a quick excerptWhen I went casually looking for more information on the title at Wikipedia — notorious for a lack of oversight where outside editorial… [...]
By: Wikipedia » They Shoot Small-Time Celebrities, Don’t They? on February 1, 2008
at 4:38 am
Have you heard of the 1977 Canadian film “Why Shoot the Teacher?”? The only copies to be had are really old and used VHS copies. I saw it on HBO in the early 80s and never forgot it. The NY Times has a good write-up of it:
http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9506E7DA103BF936A35751C0A964948260
“Based on a book by Max Braithwaite, apparently a memoir, the movie is the story of one Max Brown, who traveled west across Canada in 1935 to take a teaching job in a one-room schoolhouse. The film was made in Hanna, Alberta, and it very aptly conveys a sense of Depression-era life in a small, impoverished farming community.
When Max arrives, he discovers he will be living in ramshackle quarters under the schoolroom – this makes for some amusingly undignified entrances through the trapdoor – and that the farmers will have trouble paying the $45 they have promised him for the season. Because Max went west because he couldn’t make a living on his home turf, he is in much the same boat as his students and their families. In any case, he stays, and learns at least as much as the children do.
The film describes that year in Max’s life, and it very touchingly conveys his growing understanding of his pupils and their way of life. There is also a hint of romance between Max, who is played by Bud Cort, and the lonely, neglected wife of a farmer, a woman played with surprising self-effacement and a deliberate lack of glamour by Samantha Eggar. ”
Speaking of Depression films, did you like the 1981 “Pennies From Heaven”? It’s a great period piece. I love the scene when the “accordion man” dances in the rain. Someone uploaded it on youtube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ICVryHXtEI0
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By: Kitty on February 1, 2008
at 4:45 am
1935, 1969, 1977, 1981…
That writers strike better wrap up soon – if historical trends bear out, next year should be a fountain of gritty drama and engaging emotional cinema.
(Although if the public continues to vote with its wallet in the way it has been, it might instead be the year of sophmoric comedies full of low brow humor. Time will tell.)
By: Julie Scott on February 1, 2008
at 8:32 am
I saw that with my mom when it came out. The acting! Wow.
It’s one of the all time classics. I guess what I love best are “character-driven” things. Last night in my class we got the box o’ scripts from this year to read. I took Savages, Lars, Juno.
I love the way that Savages is written. Wow. I think I’ll read Juno then see it after. I’ll tell you after this class, I don’t think I can ever just look at a movie the same way again.
Julie, engaging emotional drama — I hope I can, I hope I can….(well I got “nice” as a crit, yeah!) Morality tales are my fav. Funny that link, Rodger. Ironic. It seems like 1929 in a way to me, but not sure.
By: vbonnaire on February 1, 2008
at 10:24 am
In fact, I have seen “Don’t Shoot the Teacher”, Kitty. A quiet, quirky little film but instantly forgettable. I hadn’t thought of the movie at all over the years until just now. Thanks for the DVD.
Julie, I watch so little TV, the writers strike can go on all year, for all I care, though I would like to see “House MD” go back into production.
By: Rodger Jacobs on February 1, 2008
at 11:52 am
You watch more than me, based on that list you posted on Pererro last week.
But am I confused? I thought the strike would affect movie production as well? Although I suppose they already have a mountain of scripts and can shoot them as they are written. I must admit a bit of ignorance on this part of the process.
By: Julie Scott on February 1, 2008
at 11:58 am
Yes, it affects film as well as TV. The only thing the members of the AMPTP can produce is “unscripted” programming — and anyone who thinks reality TV is off the cuff and unscripted has another think coming.
By: Rodger Jacobs on February 1, 2008
at 12:02 pm
Kitty, I liked both the BBC-TV version and the Hollywood remake of “Pennies From Heaven.” Written by Dennis Potter, you know, of “The Singing Detective” fame. In fact, I’m currently taking the same medication for severe psoriasis and psoriatic aropathy that eventually killed Potter. Life is strange.
By: Rodger Jacobs on February 1, 2008
at 12:06 pm
Razoxane?
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By: Kitty on February 1, 2008
at 12:29 pm
Methotrexate, an oral form of chemotherapy.
By: Rodger Jacobs on February 1, 2008
at 12:30 pm