The making of Dirty Dancing was very challenging to the actors who had to brave the weather almost every shoot, whether indoors or outside. They were in the middle of a transition, from summer to autumn, and the shift in seasons was at times borderline unbearable.
At one point, the temperature inside (for indoor filming) rose to as high as 120 degrees, and about ten people reportedly passed out in less than half an hour of shooting. And during the lake scene, the swimming was described to be under frigid conditions. The main actors had to strip down, and use summer clothing to dive and withstand the cold water; all while making it look like it was comfortable and refreshing!
A Strange Coincidence
Who knows why Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze had such a querulous attitude toward each other right at the very start of their professional relationship—from Red Dawn to Dirty Dancing. Swayze later on said they just couldn’t stand each other, and perhaps he couldn’t put his finger on exactly what made it feel so wrong.
But the two stars did have a past which one can describe as a strange connection. Jennifer is the daughter of Joel Grey, who originated the role of Master of Ceremonies in the musical Cabaret. He is also credited for the Broadway musical, Goodtime Charley, where, lo and behold, Patrick Swayze was part of the ensemble of dancers!
Before Newman
Dirty Dancing turned out not only to be a great commercial success, but it also made Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey as successful as they hoped they could ever be. Despite its many shortcomings (during its filming), the outcome was also absolutely favorable to actor, Wayne Knight, whose acting career debuted in the film with his character, Stan.
Knight went on to star in movies such as Born on the Fourth of July, JFK, and Basic Instinct. It kicked of a segue of projects that would showcase his talents, and when Steven Spielberg started to work on Jurassic Park, he was the first one to be called out.
Is It A Jewish Film?
American writer Eleanor Bergstein, whose life experiences form part of the character Baby Houseman, comes from a Jewish family. She even described her work as a Jewish movie, “if you know what you’re looking at.” The Houseman family in the story are Jewish, too, and like Bergstein’s family, they loved to spend their summers in Catskill, at the Kellerman Resort.
In reality, the Kellerman Resort is based off Grossinger’s Catskill Resort Hotel, where Eleanor and her family are known habitues. This was located along the “Borscht Belt,” where Jews were known to be always welcome, unlike in other popular destinations around the area.
Dirty Dancing's Lasting Impression
There wasn’t much promise to Dirty Dancing when the filming was under production. There was an issue about abortion, and the dancing itself was considered by conservatives to be too suggestive. The odds weren’t favorable, however, it has become such a sensational movie. When asked to comment on the matter, Patrick Swayze said, “It’s got so much heart, to me, it’s not about sensuality; it’s really about people trying to find themselves…”
And the movie itself went through an experience not unlike those of its characters—it fought against the odds to find its way out into the open. It’s become a success by sticking to its guns. The message is empowering, not just to women, but to all of us in general.