It’s not a stretch to say that “Dirty Dancing” is one of the most iconic movies of the 1980s — if not of all time.
The 1987 drama starring Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze quickly became a cultural touchstone following its release. “Dirty Dancing” not only told a great love story through the art of Latin dance, but it also addressed some of the biggest political issues of the day that are still relevant in modern times. The film is so influential that its most iconic lines can be heard in everything from movies and television shows to commercials.
But, as with every movie, “Dirty Dancing” has its secrets.
The Story Is Based On The Screenwriter’s Life
“Dirty Dancing” is based primarily on screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein’s life. Bergstein told Cosmopolitan that when she was a kid, she used to compete in dance contests in the Catskills, the area of upstate New York where “Dirty Dancing” is set.
Eleanor Bergstein
“I would do the mambo [at] these Champagne contests in the country,” said Bergstein, whose father was a doctor. “It was so bizarre to see this little girl doing all these mambo and cha-cha steps. I would win the bottle of Champagne, which my parents could drink … so those things came from my life, going to the Catskills as a little girl.”
The Resort Featured In The Film Is Nowhere Near The Catskills
In the film, Kellerman’s was in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York. In reality, the resort where the movie was filmed is called Mountain Lake Lodge and it’s located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. The resort is proud of its connection to the film and hosts “Dirty Dancing”-themed weekends throughout the year that offer guests dance lessons and other Kellerman’s-inspired activities.
It Was Rejected 43 Times
More than 30 years have passed since “Dirty Dancing” was released in theaters. And over those three decades, the film has garnered even more fans. But it almost wasn’t made. Gottlieb told Huffington Post that it was rejected 43 times — 43 times — before Vestron agreed to produce the film.
Vestron
‘Dirty Dancing’ Almost Wasn’t Released
But “Dirty Dancing” almost didn’t make it to theaters. Test audiences largely panned Ardolino’s first edit of the film and, at one point, executives seriously discussed the possibility of releasing the movie straight to video. Ardolino’s later cut, though, hit the mark and “Dirty Dancing” became a box office hit.
(Excerpt) Read More at: TheDelite.com