“Dirty Dancing” was released in 1987. This classic coming of age story broke barriers and shed light on some taboo subjects. You’ve probably seen the movie countless times and even tried recreating the iconic lift scene with your friends. But how well do you really remember the movie “Dirty Dancing?”
“Dirty Dancing” was released in 1987. This classic coming of age story broke barriers and shed light on some taboo subjects. You’ve probably seen the movie countless times and even tried recreating the iconic lift scene with your friends. But how well do you really remember the movie “Dirty Dancing?”
The Mountain Lake Lodge, located in Pembroke, Virginia, served as the location of most of the scenes at Kellerman's. Throughout the year, the resort hosts "Dirty Dancing" themed weekends, which include scavenger hunts, dances, and a screening of the movie.
Although the role ultimately went to Jennifer Grey, Baby Houseman was almost played by Sarah Jessica Parker. Sarah lost out on the role due to the intense on-screen chemistry between Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze.
The character of Johnny was Italian in the original script. While Billy Zane looked the part, he couldn't dance the part. Once Patrick Swayze was hired for the role, the character was rewritten for him.
Penny is played by Cynthia Rhodes. Rhodes also starred in the 1983 film "Flashdance" as Tina Tech as well as "Staying Alive," in which she played Jackie, opposite John Travolta.
Before directing "Dirty Dancing," Emile had only directed a few episodes of TV series and a documentary. "Dirty Dancing" was his directorial debut on a feature-length film. He later went on to direct "Sister Act."
When trying to get financial backing for the film, many people wanted the abortion plot-line to be removed, feeling it was taboo. However, Eleanor Bergstein, who wrote the script, argued that without that plot-line, the whole movie falls apart.
Jerry Orbach has been nominated for three Tony Awards, and he won a Tony for Lead Actor in "Promises, Promises." If his voice seems familiar, Orbach was also the voice of Lumière in "Beauty and the Beast."
Eleanor Bergstein, the screenwriter of "Dirty Dancing," used herself as inspiration for Baby Houseman. Eleanor was nicknamed Baby in her youth, and had the nickname until she was in her twenties. She based the movie loosely on her life, her family and her summers in the Catskills.
Patrick Swayze was the first choice for the role of Johnny, but he did not list dancing experience on his resume, so he was passed over. It wasn't until later that the production found out about his experience, and brought him back in.
The first test audience that was shown the film responded so negatively to the movie that the producers considered releasing the film straight to VHS. It's a good thing that they changed their minds because the movie made over $200 million during its theatrical release.
In 1997, Conan O'Brien jokingly told his viewers to send letters to the production company that produced the film to re-release "Dirty Dancing." The company received so many letters that they re-released the film just in time for its tenth anniversary.
Kelly Bishop originally played Vivian when production began. However, she was switched to the role of Baby's mother, Marjorie Houseman. Miranda Garrison, who was the assistant choreographer on the film, took over the role of Vivian Pressman.
Lisa Houseman, played by Jane Brucker, co-wrote the "Hula Hana" number at the end of the film. Lisa was supposed to sing a song from "South Pacific," but they didn't have the budget to include the song in the movie.
Patrick Swayze didn't like the line, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner." He hated it so much that he asked the director if they could get rid of the line. But, once he saw it spoken onscreen, Swayze changed his mind.
The iconic lift at the end of the film was only shot once! Jennifer Grey stated in several interviews that what we see on screen was her first timing doing it; however, she and Patrick practiced the lift several times during the scene in the lake.
All of the music for the film was decided on before filming started. The producer and screenwriter, Eleanor Bergstein, had chosen each song with a specific scene in mind. Thankfully, they got the rights to use all of the songs she originally had in mind in the movie.
Neil was played by Lonny Price. After this film, he transitioned to working on Broadway, working as both an actor and director. In 2001, he received a Tony nomination for Best Book for his musical, "A Class Act."
Patrick Swayze insisted on doing his own stunts for the movie, specifically during the scene in which Johnny and Baby dance on a log. Unfortunately, during the filming of that scene, he fell off the log, injured himself and delayed production.
"(I've Had) The Time of My Life" was an instant hit after the release of "Dirty Dancing." The singers, Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, won a Grammy award; while the songwriters took home the Oscar for Best Original Song.
Jane Brucker was told they might not have time to film that "Hula Hana" scene. But at the last minute, production was able to set it up, and she only had two takes to get it right. Brucker is a trained singer, and purposefully sang off-key.
The role of Johnny Castle almost went to Billy Zane or Val Kilmer. Billy was a popular choice, and the production paired him with Sarah Jessica Parker and Jennifer Grey, to see who would have the better onscreen chemistry.
The choreographer of "Dirty Dancing" was Kenny Ortega. You're probably familiar with his work; he was the choreographer for the "High School Musical" trilogy, "The Descendants" trilogy, "Newsies," and so much more!
When Jennifer and Patrick performed the lift in the lake, it was freezing! It was 40 degrees Fahrenheit outside. The reason that there are no close-up shots of the actors in that scene is because their lips started turning blue.
Jennifer Grey almost didn't do the film when she found out that she would act alongside Patrick Swayze. They worked on "Red Dawn" together, and she thought he was a jerk. After they met up and talked, she accepted the role.
This entire scene was improvised and was not meant to be included in the final film. However, Jennifer and Patrick were messing around on the set, and director, Emile, decided to film them. Luckily his background in documentaries came to good use.