Dirty Dancing
Available now on Blu-ray
Written by Eleanor Bergstein
Directed by Emile Ardolino
Starring Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Cynthia Rhodes, Jerry Orbach, Kelly Bishop
Vestron Films
Rated PG-13 | 100 minutes
Release date: August 21st, 1987
Fathom Events screenings: January 29th & February 1st, 2017

Frances “Baby” Houseman (Jennifer Grey) thought it would be a regular summer in the Catskills with her family. A daddy’s girl, she and her mom, dad, and sister Lisa (Jerry Orbach, Kelly Bishop, Jane Brucker) went to Kellerman’s resort, that catered to the rich, complete with Ivy-League waiters. Kellerman’s also had the dance people, who gave lessons and entertained the guests. Baby, who wanted to be in the Peace Corps and always believed the best, was floored by the “dirty dancing,” and dazzled by Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze), lead dancer. After an impromptu dance lesson, Baby inadvertently ended up trying to help the other lead dancer Penny (Cynthia Rhodes), who got knocked up by one of the waiters, Robbie (Max Cantor). Stepping into her mambo shoes, Johnny trained Baby to dance, and they fell in love. No summer romance would sizzle unless it was forbidden, and theirs was no different. This was the story of Dirty Dancing, which propelled a cast of virtual unknowns into instant fame.

More below.

I sat in that dark theater with so many, and felt that moment all over again… when I was 15 and fell in love with Patrick Swayze. The scene when he crooked his finger at her to come dance with him transported me back to 1987.

The movie is preceded with interviews of the cast and crew, then and now, as well as members of other incarnations, like the stage show and TV remake. One new delightful discovery for me was that Doriana Sanchez, one of my favorite So You Think You Can Dance choreographers (disco), was one of the lead dancers (she does the famous spin where her partner hits her spinning skirt). Footage of Grey and Swayze practicing dance steps, highlighted the chemistry of the two. Of course, pervasive throughout is the sadness at the loss of Swayze, who passed in 2009 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 57.

I’ve seen the movie dozens of times, but this was my first time seeing it in the theater. I cried once more when Johnny and Baby said goodbye to each other, when they thought that goodbye was forever. And we all clapped when Johnny Castle walked into that room to get Baby out of that corner, and also when they did the famous lift at the end.

The movie is funny, romantic, and pure magic.

You can catch Dirty Dancing on the big screen one more time on Wednesday, February 1st at 2:00pm and 7:00pm ET. Go to Fathom Events for locations and tickets.

Press release:

Classic Romance Dirty Dancing Returns to the Cinemas for Two Nights Only to Kick-Off 30th Anniversary Celebration

The iconic story of Baby and Johnny’s summer love, Dirty Dancing returns to the big screen on January 29 and February 1, 2017 for a 30th anniversary presentation from Fathom Events and Lionsgate. This memorable experience will also treat fans to an exclusive never-before-seen 15-minute sneak peek of the brand-new special feature “Happy 30th Birthday, Dirty Dancing,” from the upcoming Dirty Dancing 30th Anniversary home entertainment release, available February 7, 2017.

A worldwide box-office sensation originally released in 1987, and generating over $213 million, Dirty Dancing captured hearts worldwide and took home the Best Original Song Oscar® for “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.” The beloved film, starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze in their most iconic roles remains one of Lionsgate’s top performing catalog titles with over 14 million DVDs and Blu-rays sold, and is continually referenced in pop culture.

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Video

Dirty Dancing (1987) Official Trailer – Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey Movie HD