The film Dirty Dancing came out in 1987, and its story takes place even earlier, but this deceptively titled little masterpiece took the moviegoers of the world by surprise. With a cast of characters played by relatively unknown actors, and not much of a budget, it has proven to be a continuing delight. The fact that it has grossed over $300 million and set a record of more than a million sales of home videos might tell you something. The fact that it engendered two multi-platinum albums and untold singles tells you even more.
For those of us who watched Dirty Dancing on the big screen when it was first released, watching it today is almost heartbreakingly nostalgic. The story takes place, after all, in 1963, "before Kennedy was assassinated", and when it seemed the world retained its innocence. Jennifer Grey plays Frances Houseman, known to everyone as "Baby", and not minding it at all. Patrick Swayze is Johnny Castle, the street punk who has the moves as the dance instructor at the resort.
The Houseman family is vacationing at Kellerman's, a Jewish resort in the Catskills, and they are honored guests since Baby's father is family physician to the owner of the resort. Baby is seventeen and "couldn't wait to join the Peace Corp and save the world." Her father dotes on her, but expects her to save the world by following in his footsteps. When his "Baby" gets mixed up with the crowd of "dirty dancing" people who party and dance dirty, he is appalled.
Watching Johnny and his partner, Penny, do their riveting (and deliciously dirty) Mambo number at a staff party, Baby is entranced. But when Penny falls prey to the owner's son, and has an illegal and life-threatening abortion, Baby gets her father involved, and it appears to be curtains for her growing attraction to the irresistible Johnny.
However, the 17-year-old girl has fallen in love as she is learning how to do the intricate and flamboyantly sensual "dirty dancing" that Johnny is so good at teaching. Johnny, in turn, is discovering that among all the women who pursue him, he has never met one like Baby. As they develop mutual trust, they also learn to dance together. And oh, how they dance! With the Foxtrot and Potato Sack Races in the background, these two reach the heights!
Meanwhile, the Foxtrot and badminton go on, but other dramas are playing out. Lisa confides to Baby that she's planning to "go all the way" with Robbie. Baby knows that Robbie is the father of Penny's aborted child, but their father thinks Johnny is the culprit. When Johnny is accused of theft by one of his many female "conquests" - she's seen him with Baby - he is assumed guilty by almost everyone. Baby knows, and this time Frances tells the truth. Frances, as Johnny tells her, is "a grown-up name".
The "dirty dancing" that these two wonderfully believable young people supply is so entrancing because it is both sensual and sophisticated, yet still has a purity that defies any element of sleaze. It is just a joy to watch them together. The grand finale has the entire clientele of Kellerman's on their feet and getting into the spirit in a big way. It's a triumph of courage over self-doubt, and love over any darn thing that stands in its way!
Dirty Dancing is basically a simple, romantic love story, with just enough supporting characters and interwoven plot lines to keep it interesting. When the forces of stodginess and intolerance show up, they are ultimately and emphatically overwhelmed by the forces of love and fair play. The realistically choreographed dance scenes are a powerful force in themselves, but everything comes together for a rousing happy ending.
The movie translates well into the Broadway stage production also. The stage musical adaptation of Dirty Dancing has played to enthusiastic theatre goers in Germany, England, Canada and even Australia, and is still showing in London. If you move fast you can still see the touring production of the musical in Boston, but it is scheduled to close March 15th of this year. If you haven't caught this show in a theatre or on stage, you ought to get the video - it's too good to miss!
For those of us who watched Dirty Dancing on the big screen when it was first released, watching it today is almost heartbreakingly nostalgic. The story takes place, after all, in 1963, "before Kennedy was assassinated", and when it seemed the world retained its innocence. Jennifer Grey plays Frances Houseman, known to everyone as "Baby", and not minding it at all. Patrick Swayze is Johnny Castle, the street punk who has the moves as the dance instructor at the resort.
The Houseman family is vacationing at Kellerman's, a Jewish resort in the Catskills, and they are honored guests since Baby's father is family physician to the owner of the resort. Baby is seventeen and "couldn't wait to join the Peace Corp and save the world." Her father dotes on her, but expects her to save the world by following in his footsteps. When his "Baby" gets mixed up with the crowd of "dirty dancing" people who party and dance dirty, he is appalled.
Watching Johnny and his partner, Penny, do their riveting (and deliciously dirty) Mambo number at a staff party, Baby is entranced. But when Penny falls prey to the owner's son, and has an illegal and life-threatening abortion, Baby gets her father involved, and it appears to be curtains for her growing attraction to the irresistible Johnny.
However, the 17-year-old girl has fallen in love as she is learning how to do the intricate and flamboyantly sensual "dirty dancing" that Johnny is so good at teaching. Johnny, in turn, is discovering that among all the women who pursue him, he has never met one like Baby. As they develop mutual trust, they also learn to dance together. And oh, how they dance! With the Foxtrot and Potato Sack Races in the background, these two reach the heights!
Meanwhile, the Foxtrot and badminton go on, but other dramas are playing out. Lisa confides to Baby that she's planning to "go all the way" with Robbie. Baby knows that Robbie is the father of Penny's aborted child, but their father thinks Johnny is the culprit. When Johnny is accused of theft by one of his many female "conquests" - she's seen him with Baby - he is assumed guilty by almost everyone. Baby knows, and this time Frances tells the truth. Frances, as Johnny tells her, is "a grown-up name".
The "dirty dancing" that these two wonderfully believable young people supply is so entrancing because it is both sensual and sophisticated, yet still has a purity that defies any element of sleaze. It is just a joy to watch them together. The grand finale has the entire clientele of Kellerman's on their feet and getting into the spirit in a big way. It's a triumph of courage over self-doubt, and love over any darn thing that stands in its way!
Dirty Dancing is basically a simple, romantic love story, with just enough supporting characters and interwoven plot lines to keep it interesting. When the forces of stodginess and intolerance show up, they are ultimately and emphatically overwhelmed by the forces of love and fair play. The realistically choreographed dance scenes are a powerful force in themselves, but everything comes together for a rousing happy ending.
The movie translates well into the Broadway stage production also. The stage musical adaptation of Dirty Dancing has played to enthusiastic theatre goers in Germany, England, Canada and even Australia, and is still showing in London. If you move fast you can still see the touring production of the musical in Boston, but it is scheduled to close March 15th of this year. If you haven't caught this show in a theatre or on stage, you ought to get the video - it's too good to miss!
About the Author:
By Matt Ryan, sponsored by StubPass.com. StubPass sells Dirty Dancing Tickets, sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets, Musical Tickets and more to your favorite events around your area.
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