(NOTE: Inspired by the Oscars, I've decided that, once a week, I'm going to try to share a movie that has made a significant impact on me. If nothing else, this will expose you to some of my idiosyncrasies.)
I was in Enid, Oklahoma, with a group from school. We had a free afternoon, and went to see They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
I'll never forget the line. Or the despair.
Viewing "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" is like rubbernecking a horrific traffic accident, or watching a train wreck. The images, no matter how painful, are too disturbing to turn away. This movie documents the depression era pathos by showing us a glimpse of a group of dance-marathon contestants battling it out for a winner-take-all purse. Their lives become symbolic of their efforts in the marathon: inexorable pain, constant cramping, and a constant questioning of just "why live in all this misery?" ... The film is stunning in capturing the simple struggle of humanity; it's a must-see, but only once!!!- Review by Joe Wade Smith
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I felt the music was mesmerizing, too.• "EASY COME, EASY GO"
Music by Johnny Green
Lyrics by Edward Heyman
Sung by Lynn Willis
• "SWEET SUE JUST YOU"
Music by Victor Young
Lyrics by Will J. Harris
• "PARADISE"
Music by Nacio Herb Brown
Lyrics by Gordon Clifford
• "COQUETTE"
Music by Johnny Green
Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg
• "THE JAPANESE SANDMAN"
Music by Richard A. Whiting
Lyrics by Ray Egan
• "BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA"
Music by Harry Carroll
Lyrics by Harold Atteridge
• "CAN-CAN"
from Orpheus In Hades
Written by Jacques Offenbach
• "BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA"
Music by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by Ted Koehler
• "THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE"
Written by Buddy G. DeSylva, Lew Brown and Ray Henderson
Sung by Bonnie Bedelia
• "BODY AND SOUL"
Music by Johnny Green
Lyrics by Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton and Robert Sour
• "BROTHER CAN YOU SPARE A DIME?"
Music by Jay Gorney
Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg
• "I COVER THE WATERFRONT"
Music by Johnny Green
Lyrics by Edward Heyman
• "I FOUND A MILLION DOLLAR BABY"
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Billy Rose and Mort Dixon
• "OUT OF NOWHERE"
Music by Johnny Green
Lyrics by Edward Heyman
• "CALIFORNIA, HERE I COME"
Written by Buddy G. DeSylva, Joseph Meyer and Al Jolson
• "I'M YOURS"
Music by Johnny Green
Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg
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In case you haven't yet seen this movie, here's the trailer:
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