What could possibly be better than snuggling up with on a cloudy day with one of the best romantic dramas of all time, Dirty Dancing?
Dirty Dancing was a pretty low-budget film that didn’t really have any huge names in starring roles. Yet, it swiftly became one of the best-remembered movies in recent history. Some of the scenes are absolutely unforgettable!
Released in 1987, this movie was the first to sell over 1 million copies on home video. Perhaps it was fortuitous timing alongside the rise of home video technology that gave this film its lasting success. But I personally think it may have had much more to do with the fact that it’s simply a lovable film!
Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey made such a lasting impression on so many of us with their portrayals of Johnny and Baby — take this bride and groom, for example!
Is Dirty Dancing one of your favorite movies? I bet that even if it is, you didn’t know each and every one of these 10 Dirty Dancing facts.
Let us know if we missed anything in the comments, and please SHARE with your family and friends on Facebook!
1. The Crawling Scene Wasn’t Part Of The Plan
Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey were just fooling around when they were crawling around on the floor, getting ready to shoot the scene. However, director Emile Ardolino liked it so much that he used the footage for the film. Good choice, if you ask everyone who has ever seen it.
2. Patrick Was Offered A Big Chunk Of Cash For The Sequel
However, even $6 million wasn’t enough to persuade him to do a sequel right away, since he hated the general idea of them so very much. He finally relented nearly two decades later when he appeared in Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights.
3. The Trees Were Spray-Painted
The scene where Baby and Johnny are dancing in the water was shot in the middle of October, so it was freezing and the leaves were fall-colored and falling from the trees.
They spray-painted the trees, but you can still see the leaves falling to the ground, which simply doesn’t happen in the summertime.
4. Patrick Really Was Annoyed When Jennifer Laughed
You never know what you’re going to get when you keep the cameras rolling on two good actors. In the scene where Baby and Johnny are rehearsing and he runs his hand down her arm, Jennifer couldn’t keep from laughing because she was ticklish. The frustration you see on Johnny’s face is Patrick’s real frustration with the scene.
In the end, it was left in and is recognized as one of the most honest moments in the film.
5. Val Kilmer Almost Played Johnny
Val was offered the part, but he turned it down, leaving the opportunity open for Patrick. Billy Zane was also considered, but he wasn’t a fantastic dancer.
6. Both Leads Were 10 Years Older Than Their Characters
Jennifer was 26 when she was cast as the 16-year-old, and had just a few minutes to convince casting directors that she could play younger. Patrick was 34 when he was cast to play the 24-year-old Johnny.
7. Patrick Did His Own Stunts
Patrick was insistent that he do all of his own stunts. During the log scene, he kept falling and ended up injuring his knee so badly that he had to have fluid drained.
8. They Thought Cynthia Rhodes Was Too Pretty
Stylists had to put makeup on Cynthia when her character, Penny, was supposed to be in excruciating pain. Apparently, it wasn’t convincing enough when she went with none at all, as she was just too pretty!
9. There Were Only Two Weeks To Rehearse
There was a tight schedule to get this film wrapped, so there were only two weeks to rehearse all of the dance numbers. Then, there were only 44 days to shoot the whole shebang. Can you imagine learning all those steps and lines in such a short amount of time?
10. The Song ‘She’s Like The Wind’ Wasn’t Written For This Film
This song was originally written for the 1984 film Grandview, U.S.A., but when it wasn’t used for that movie, Dirty Dancing got the honor!
Did you know these fun facts about this incredible film? Please Liked Video with family and friends on Facebook!
