Dirty Dancing Hits Theaters

Today's History Lesson...the movies

Has everyone gone mad? Is the theater jamming as the audience begins a rampage of dirty dancing up and down the aisles? What movie can bring on such excitement that cannot keep people in their seats? Actually, the dirty dancing takes place on the silver screen but the music and the motion makes dancing most enticing...even to present day!

This Day in History: August 21, 1987

Theatrical release poster

A massive, unexpected box-office hit, one of the greatest movies of all times, Dirty Dancing, opens in theaters across the nation. Originally billed as a low-budget film by a new studio, Great American Films Limited Partnership, its expectations consisted of the film being shown in theaters for one weekend only, then, direct-to-video. To lessen its hopes of success even more was the fact that the cast consisted of no major stars at the time (except Broadway legend Jerry Orbach in a supporting role). 

What a surprise! It was the first film to sell one million copies on video and as of 2009, Dirty Dancing had earned over $214 million worldwide. The little-known Patrick Swayze became an overnight sensation and in 1991, he was chosen by People magazine as that year's "Sexiest Man Alive". [Have you ever wondered who is the "Sexiest Man Dead"?]

Not only was the movie a monumental success but also the soundtrack. The Dirty Dancing soundtrack went multi-platinum. Included in the hit singles: “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song (video at end), “Hungry Eyes” by Eric Carmen and “She’s Like the Wind,” co-written and sung by Swayze himself. The film also contained the now-famous line “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” 

Other memorable songs & scenes...

Added bonus...

Sidenote: In 2004, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, a reworking of the original film set in Cuba in the 1950s, just before Fidel Castro’s revolution, was released to a tepid response from critics and audiences. The still-fit Swayze appeared in a cameo role as a dance instructor. Want to watch Dirty Dancing? Watch the original! You just can't beat a classic!

 An iconic scene from the dancing finale

Watch the action!

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...as well as the movie!