Dirty Dancing has to be one of the most romantic movies in movie history. It was made in 1987 and directed by Emile Ardolino, who has won several awards. Eleanor Bergstein, who wrote the screenplay, based the lead male and female characters on real people she knew. Those roles were played by the charismatic Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, the daughter of Joel Grey, the Oscar-winning actor from Cabaret. Both Swayze and Grey were relatively unknowns at the time. Most of the dance scenes in this movie were choreographed by Kenny Ortega, who is now probably most famous for the High School Musical films.
Jennifer Grey had already been trained as a dancer. She was only 27 years old when the movie was filmed. Patrick Swayze was 34 and an accomplished dancer himself. He and Grey had worked together three years earlier in Red Dawn. Grey didn’t really want to work with Swayze again, saying that they hadn’t gotten along well on their previous film. However, the two actors worked out their differences and made movie history with their electric chemistry on the screen.
The story takes place in 1963 in the Catskill Mountains where the Kellerman family is vacationing. Dr. Kellerman (Jerry Orbach) is a Jewish physician who is a friend of the resort’s owner. He and his wife have two daughters. One daughter’s name is Frances, but she is called “Baby” by her family. Baby is 17 years old and going to Mount Holyoke College in the fall. While at the resort, Baby is captivated by a dancing instructor named Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze). She is invited to one of the staff parties, where she sees Johnny and his friends dancing in a “dirty” way.
Later, Baby finds out that Johnny’s dance partner, Penny Johnson (Cynthia Rhodes), is pregnant and the father is another staff member. Penny gets an abortion and starts hemorrhaging afterwards. She refuses to go to a doctor because abortions are illegal. Baby feels sorry for Penny and convinces her physician father to help Penny. Dr. Kellerman saves Penny’s life. However, he falsely assumes that Johnny was the man who fathered Penny’s baby. He forbids Baby to associate with Johnny and his “lowly” friends again.
Of course, Baby does not listen to her father--because she is 17 years old and in love with Johnny. Johnny tries to resist her innocent charm, but he finally gives in and they have an affair. Baby is seen by another guest leaving Johnny’s cabin. The guest is jealous of Baby spending the night with Johnny, so she tells the resort’s owner that Johnny stole a guest’s wallet. The turning point in the movie is when the resort manager is going to fire Johnny. Baby does something for Johnny which changes his life. The dance scene in the end of the movie is stunning and so romantic that just thinking about it makes me shiver.
Dirty Dancing, which was made on a budget of only five million dollars, earned over two hundred million dollars worldwide. The movie made history when the video was the first one to sell over a million copies. Several songs from the movie became famous. “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” won a the Academy Award for Best Original Song, the Grammy Award for best duet, and a Golden Globe award. Another song, “She’s Like the Wind,” was written by Patrick Swayze and Stacy Widelitz. Swayze even sings it in the movie. The dance scenes in this movie, as well as the music, played a major part in the film’s popularity. Some women consider it the most romantic film in history. It certainly made Patrick Swayze famous.
The movie wasn’t filmed in the Catskill Mountains in New York. It was filmed at Lake Lure in North Carolina and the Mountain Lake Resort near Roanoke, Virginia. Lake Lure is a beautiful place and I have been there on a vacation. It is famous not only for being one of the settings in Dirty Dancing; a scene from the movie The Last of the Mohicans was filmed there as well. The lake scenes were supposed to be in the summer, however, it was October and the leaves were changing colors. The leaves had to be painted green. The last line of the movie is famous, but I cannot include it in my review because I would give away the ending.
If you have never seen Dirty Dancing, it is a must see movie. It is my favorite romantic movie. The songs are outstanding and on my iPod. I think it is Patrick Swayze’s best movie. I was so sad when Patrick died, but with Dirty Dancing and Ghost he leaves behind a great legacy in the movies.
Aki, thanks for an affectionate post on one of the most purely entertaining movies of the 1980s. I had forgotten that Swayze and Grey were both in RED DAWN. It’s funny that they didn’t get along on that film, because, as you noted, they have marvelous chemistry in DIRTY DANCING. I can remember seeing DIRTY DANCING with my wife at our local cinema when it first came out. We didn’t know to expect…the title puzzled us and word-of-mouth hadn’t started to spread. Thus, we were completely surprised with how much we enjoyed it…and still do. We added it to our film collection many years ago. What a perfect pick for the Café’s month of love stories!
ReplyDeleteAki, Awesome review!! loved reading about how Grey didn’t really want to work with Swayze again. You sure could not tell.
ReplyDeleteHa ha. "Dirty Dancing" doesn't look so "dirty" now, does it! We see dirtier dancing on prime time television. Loved reading in this review about Jennifer Grey. She is one of my favorites...especially in "Ferris."
ReplyDeleteAki, all I have to say is "Nobody puts Baby in the corner!" Great review of a wonderful film.
ReplyDeleteAki, I really enjoyed your review of this classic film. I think "Dirty Dancing" was Patrick Swayze's signature film. He and Jennifer Grey have unforgettable chemistry. Great post!
ReplyDeleteAki , Just to let you know . Dirty Dancing is finally out on Blu ray and I got mine (No I don't own stock ) at Costco for $9.99.And Kim you are so right About Nobody putting Baby in the corner. Good Post Aki
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I, too, am a sucker for this movie. I think I stop and watch it--or at least some of it--every time I see it on TV. And that theme song...that's some good karaoke right there!
ReplyDeleteGreat post on a classic love story. I too have been to Lake Lure- it have beautiful scenery. Great music, dancing, and chemistry make for a great love story- probably the best one from the l980's.
ReplyDeleteSuperb post, Aki, and a great read. My favorite romantic film with Patrick Swayze is ROAD HOUSE. He's so sweet in that movie, when he tells everyone, "Be nice," before driving a man's head through a table. Patrick Swayze marathon, anyone?
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for the nice comments about my post. Kim that line from Dirty Dancing just says it all doesn't it? Paul, I am so glad it is on blu ray. The movie will look fantastic! I agree that it is the best love story of the 1980's. Thanks everyone.
ReplyDeleteAki, The Price at Costco is now $7.99 for blu ray I saw it at that price friday.
ReplyDeleteI remember when my grandma would make me cover my eyes during the intimate scenes even though I was a young teenager. Everyone has to agree that the best scene is the very last scene. Such a happy moment.
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