United States

The year is 1932, the place California. The Depression is in full swing. Poor and jobless drifters both young and old enter a dance marathon compered by ruthless promoter Rocky (Gig Young). Hour after hour and day after day the competitors dance on goaded by Rocky's hollow cries of enthusiasm and his promises of success, prizes and stardom. But for the contestants the marathon only seems to bring exhaustion, indignity, disillusionment, hysteria and even, for some, death. Jane Fonda plays the unflinching tragic heroine in this blistering indictment of the seamy side of showbiz.