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 Housemans are V.I.P. guests at Kellerman's Resort in the Catskills, on a three-week family vacation. Dr. Houseman, the personal physician of the resort's owner, his wife (not quite as staid as she first appears), 17 year old Baby and Lisa, her older and trying- to-be-superior sister all have some living and learning to do. Baby sets the stage by accidentally getting involved with the "No Guests Please" resort staff.
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!
While all this is happening, Baby's older sister is getting ready to "go all the way" with Robbie, son of the resort owner, though we have learned that Robbie is the guilty cause of the dancer's abortion, but feels no guilt. When another woman who has carnal designs on Johnny spies him embracing Baby, spite leads her to accuse Johnny of the theft of a patron's wallet. Johnny is assumed to be the culprit until Baby tells her father and the irate resort owner that Johnny couldn't have done it because he was in his room all night - with her!
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!
As it becomes clear that the movie's title involves a few different but cohesive elements, the experience becomes even more enjoyable. The plot is simple, but the action is believable and in the case of the dance scenes, beautifully choreographed by (also then unknown) Kenny Ortega. "Dirty" is the farthest thing from the feeling you will get from this sensual but never sleazy display of youthful energy and abandon.
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! - 16955
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 Housemans are V.I.P. guests at Kellerman's Resort in the Catskills, on a three-week family vacation. Dr. Houseman, the personal physician of the resort's owner, his wife (not quite as staid as she first appears), 17 year old Baby and Lisa, her older and trying- to-be-superior sister all have some living and learning to do. Baby sets the stage by accidentally getting involved with the "No Guests Please" resort staff.
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!
While all this is happening, Baby's older sister is getting ready to "go all the way" with Robbie, son of the resort owner, though we have learned that Robbie is the guilty cause of the dancer's abortion, but feels no guilt. When another woman who has carnal designs on Johnny spies him embracing Baby, spite leads her to accuse Johnny of the theft of a patron's wallet. Johnny is assumed to be the culprit until Baby tells her father and the irate resort owner that Johnny couldn't have done it because he was in his room all night - with her!
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!
As it becomes clear that the movie's title involves a few different but cohesive elements, the experience becomes even more enjoyable. The plot is simple, but the action is believable and in the case of the dance scenes, beautifully choreographed by (also then unknown) Kenny Ortega. "Dirty" is the farthest thing from the feeling you will get from this sensual but never sleazy display of youthful energy and abandon.
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! - 16955
About the Author:
By Matt Ryan, sponsored by StubPass.com. StubPass sells Dirty Dancing Tickets, sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets, Musical Tickets and many more tickets to just about any event in your area.
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