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9:00 PM Turner Classic Movies
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1968 USA): Back in the mists of time, when I was a mere lad with nary a hint of peachfuzz on my face, I always associated the word "horse" with heroin. That may sound odd, especially to those who knew me then, but here's the story: one of the most enduring memories of my childhood is the initial broadcast of the 1973 telefilm Go Ask Alice, specifically the grocery scene wherein teen A tells teen B to "get off her high horse" about something or other, only to have snotty teen C advise her to instead "get off her horse high." Smack, skag, junk, even good old-fashioned dope...but horse? Does anyone call it that anymore? Did anyone really call it that in 1973? Yes, it may be one of the colloquialisms for the opiate of choice for fading rock stars and angst-ridden jazz musicians, but it's hardly one of the most common ones. All of which may not have much bearing on the subject at hand, Jane Fonda's They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, but when the film first popped up on television in the mid-'70s I assumed it was a hardhitting crime drama entitled They Shoot Horse, Don't They? Yes, I was a strange child, and no, the film has nothing to do with drug abuse - well, other than perhaps a little bit of coffee and maybe some uppers - and everything to do with the Depression-era pastime known as marathon dancing. Couples could win big money in those days just by staying on their feet longer than the other hoofers, and this film - based on Horace McCoy's novel - is a unique cinema tribute to this short-lived cultural phenomenon. They Shoot Horses features a marvelous cast, including (in addition to Hanoi Jane) Michael Sarrazin, Susannah York, Al "Grandpa" Lewis, Bruce Dern, Bonnie Bedelia, Severn Darden, and - in his greatest role - Gig Young, as the down-at-heel master of ceremonies whose enthusiastic jawing keeps his charges tripping and stumbling the light fantastic. Directed by Sydney Pollack and featuring a terrific score comprising plenty of jaunty ‘30s tunes, this is a grim and at times disturbing examination of these bizarre contests that rewarded winners with anything from thousands of dollars in cash to simple food and shelter (according to www.badfads.com, the longevity record stands at 5,148 hours and 28.5 minutes). Perhaps best of all, the film makes its widescreen television debut tonight after many previous pan and scan airings on Encore.

11:15 PM Turner Classic Movies
The Pursuit of Happiness (1971 USA): An obscure but worthy example of the best of ‘70s cinema, The Pursuit of Happiness makes a very rare small screen appearance this evening on TCM. Michael Sarrazin stars as William, a brainy college student who finds himself in hot water when he accidently hits a pedestrian with his car. Sent to jail for vehicular manslaughter (aggravated by the fact he was driving uninsured and had two dozen parking tickets), William escapes and hits the road with gal pal Jane (Barbara Hershey), and the two flee for Canada, which apparently offered sanctuary for draft dodgers and escaped felons alike. The Pursuit of Happiness is a bit reminiscent of Sam Peckinpah's The Getaway, only minus the ultraviolence and plus a whole lotta navel-gazing. It's good stuff nonetheless, and co-stars Ralph Waite, E.G. Marshall, and Rue McClanahan.

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