Subject
Before reality television, there were dance marathons. Initially a straightforward matter of dance till you drop, by the 1930s these contests had added rest periods (in the movie, ten minutes for every two hours) that allowed them to stretch on for weeks, even months — over seven months, in one contest that netted the winners $2000, split two ways, minus expenses. And like those who watch Survivor in order to see yuppies experiencing genuine misery, Depression-era audiences watched these (often scripted) marathons in order to gawk at cadavers shuffling around a dance floor and feel that at least someone had it worse than they did.

Evaluation
I first saw this movie ten years ago, having gathered that it was part of the 1960s film canon but knowing nothing about it other than its title. It made a pretty strong impression on me, with its unusual concept (this being back in the days before humiliating spectacles came to dominate prime time) and unremitting bleakness (the ultimate message being that the gruesome dance marathon is a metaphor for life). This time around I would still say it is pretty good. It is quite dated, with lead performances by such 1980s icons as Molly Ringwald, Phil Hartman, and Kevin McHale—

—what?

...er, make that Jane Fonda, Gig Young, and some hippie. Whoops. Anyway, it still feels dated, with its mannered 1960s acting: Molly RiJane Fonda received plaudits for her performance, but it's such a one-note affair that I have to assume that the critics were surprised to see her play such a bitter character in the wake of The BreakfBarbarella. I also didn't care for the flash-forwards. But all in all I would recommend this movie, unless you are still reeling from the untimely end of Barbaro in which case I can see how this might be too soon.

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