More Than Thirty Years Ago, Dance Scene Left Viewers Mesmerized If You Look Back On It

Jun 27, 2020 by apost team

Dirty Dancing first came out almost 33 years ago and became an instant hit. Its success is due in large part to the impressive dance scenes, especially the iconic final scene when Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey perform their routine to I’ve Had The Time of My Life, culminating in the over-the-head lift that quickly became a cultural icon.

The strength of this movie is definitely in the dancing, which is why it never would have enjoyed the level of success it did without the charisma and skill of Patrick Swayze. A man of many talents, Swayze was a popular movie star in the '80s who could act, dance, and even sing.

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Swayze's many talents meant he was already a well-known star before Dirty Dancing came out. He was the lead in Red Dawn (1984), and starred in the action/thriller Road House in 1987. Dirty Dancing also came out in '87 and elevated his already impressive career to a nationally-recognized level, securing his place forever as an icon in film and entertainment history.

Dirty Dancing was a huge undertaking that required a large, talented cast devoting many hours of practice, sweat, and determination to make this popular film a reality.

In the movie, the character of Jennifer Grey has earned the nickname "Baby” thanks to her shy nature and sheltered upbringing. She happens to witness some wild dancing one night and is drawn to the thrill and intensity of this kind of "dirty dancing," and to the bad boy allure of Swayze’s character Johnny. They team up together, and Johnny shows her the kind of intensity and connection that can come from uninhibited dancing which she had never experienced before.

This film manages to show how powerful dance can be as a form of expression when it isn't strictly schooled or controlled. This style of dancing and some of the themes of this movie were a bit controversial when the film first came out. There are those who still have a problem with it today, though overall, it has a special place in film history as a feel-good story that showcases impressive athleticism and choreography.

The final dance scene sees Baby finally overcome her fear of dancing in front of others and the trust she has in Johnny when she manages to successfully jump into his arms for the other-the-head lift that has become a famous part of pop culture ever since.

This provided the perfect ending for this film which, combined with the sensual dancing and popular soundtrack, helped the movie make almost 214 million dollars worldwide and go on to win an Oscar as well as multiple Grammys for the soundtrack.

Let us know what you think of this iconic movie and unforgettable dance scene and pass this story on to fans of cinema and dancing alike!