THE FANS' LOVE STORY: How The Movie 'DIRTY DANCING' Captured The Hearts Of Millions!

by Tabashnik, Sue

  What else do you want to say about Dirty Dancing?

  A friend sent me a 10x12 color shot of Patrick’s derriere from the movie Road House. I took a copy in to show the nurses what I was thinking of during radiation treatment. They were the nicest bunch of women. I laughed to myself when one nurse kept the copy of his Beautifulness, LOL! I called the radiation machine “Hal” after the movie 2001 because it reminds me of Hal. So I was lying with my eyes closed and that machine swung over my face. I kept my eyes closed and said, “Good morning Hal” and was radiated. When that section was finished, I opened my eyes and about an inch from my eyes was that picture of Patrick’s derriere taped over Hal’s eye! I laughed so hard I almost fell off the gurney … Here is the follow-up story. I went in for a check-up one day and one of the nurses pulled me over to the nurses’ station and said, “Look what we did with Patrick. We fought so bad over who could take him home that we decided on this.” There was a 10x12 color photo of a beautiful horse hanging right over the nurses’ station on a bulletin board. She walked over and lifted up the horse photo and there was Patrick in all his glory. They tacked up the two corners so they could walk by and take a peek! These women hid him right out in public! I thought it was wonderful. Then the nurse walked in and said how it cheered her up every day. They were so funny and proud that they figured out such a wonderful solution!

  I also have a Dirty Dancing 3D standup in my room. It makes me smile every time I go in there.

  Dirty Dancing is just a gem. They managed to capture a really wonderful moment there … that’s really nice.

  I just love how a woman twenty or eighty is in the same space about Dirty Dancing. It gets everybody going.

  They got the clothing right. When Baby walks down the bridge the first time, she had a peasant blouse on. She reminded me of wanting a peasant blouse.

  Dirty Dancing is part of the fabric now in the United States and everywhere. It pops up everywhere.

  Dirty Dancing and Patrick Swayze bring happiness. They are a happy jinx.

  Additional Demographic Information

  Marital status: Married thirty years

  Education: College

  Profession: Administrative assistant

  Official Patrick Swayze International Fan Club member: Yes, since 2001

  DEBBIE WALLERSTEIN

  Age 54. Lives in Deerfield Beach, Florida.

  March 2008 & July 2008 (e-mail interviews).

  Has seen Dirty Dancing 101–500 times.

  What year did you first see Dirty Dancing? And how old were you?

  I first saw Dirty Dancing on August 26, 1987. I was thirty-four years old.

  Why do you like Dirty Dancing so much?

  I went to see it because I loved Patrick Swayze, but I fell in love with it because it made me feel happy, peaceful, and care-free.

  How has Dirty Dancing impacted you personally? I know that you have already made some wonderful comments on this questionnaire. I was wondering if there was anything else that you wanted to add or re-iterate.

  Questionnaire comments: I was already a Swayze fan when the movie came out, so that’s why I went to see it. But WOW! I was very ill at the time and alone. My family was thousands of miles away. I was too sick to work and very depressed. I went to the movies every day—sometimes twice a day. After the first week, I think I knew every word. The movie has sustained me and made me smile in the darkest of times for many years.

  Interview: As I said, because of the way Dirty Dancing made me feel, it helped me through a very terrible personal health ordeal, during which I almost died—my entire way of living changed (I was forced to leave my home and move in with my parents) and during which I was fired from my job because of my illness. It was a dark, lonely, desperate, and terrifying time. But when I was in that theater, I could smile and feel good, safe, and healthy for a few hours. The movie really became a kind of lifeline for me.

  In addition to Dirty Dancing, how many movies have you seen multiple times?

  At least 100, but none as often as Dirty Dancing. (Butch Cassidy, The Sting, all three Lord of the Rings, High Noon, Slap Shot, The Philadelphia Story, Goldfinger, Hard Days Night, The African Queen)—it’s a long list, and it’s all over the map. There’s no type.

  If so, is Patrick in them?

  Only Point Break and Road House because they are on TV so much.

  Have you ever met Patrick or anyone else from the cast?

  No.

  Will you continue to watch Dirty Dancing?

  Yes.

  What do you think about Dirty Dancing, the movie being made into a stage production, and do you plan to see the stage production?

  I can’t see the reason to do it, and I won’t see it. Why spoil perfection?

  When did you first become a Swayze fan? Was it from North and South?

  Yes, I had read the entire North and South series. Orry was my favorite character and I became a Swayze fan immediately. Even before Dirty Dancing, I had a friend who made me illegal copies of every Swayze video available.

  What do you think of a Dirty Dancing movie sequel being done?

  No! No! Please, no! Why do the powers that be in Hollywood think everything needs a sequel????? I pray they leave a good thing alone, because no sequel made twenty years later could be relevant, interesting, true to the original, not vomit-inducing! The time for a sequel, if there ever was a time, was nineteen years ago, but I don’t even think there should have been one then either.

  I don’t even like the idea that there is a Broadway musical out there! The beauty of DD was its originality. Today’s writers and producers just don’t seem to have original thoughts. What a pity for all of us.

  Anything else that you want to say about Dirty Dancing?

  I wish they had made a bigger deal about the anniversary!

  Additional Demographic Information

  Marital status: Single

  Education: JD

  Profession: Disabled lawyer

  Official Patrick Swayze International Fan Club member: I was a member of Swayze’s Fan Club beginning in 1988, but I let the membership lapse. Is there a Dirty Dancing Fan Club?

  CHERYL DUBUQUE

  Age 55. Lives in Burbank, California area.

  January 2008 & July 2008 (e-mail interviews).

  Has seen Dirty Dancing 16–50 times.

  What year did you first see Dirty Dancing?

  From the first day it was released in the theatres.

  Why do you like Dirty Dancing so much?

  Patrick Swayze—the dancing—the fact that it was a period piece. Great cast overall. And the story elements. Growing up in upstate New York, and having a cousin that would be around the same age and her going through many of the same things as the characters kind of took me “home again.” Plus, I was working with Patrick on his live dance show during that same time period of time—and just seeing what dancers go through first hand compared to what the end result is on screen was fascinating. I think more work, dedication, and passion go into something like this than one can imagine.

  And of course, the music. We got to hear Patrick sing “She’s Like The Wind.” The songs are fun and are reminiscent of my childhood … not to mention I love “Hungry Eyes.” I could listen to “She’s Like The Wind” and “Hungry Eyes” probably a dozen times in a row and not get tired of them.

  How has Dirty Dancing impacted you personally?

  Really in the ways mentioned above. It reminded me of things from my past. It took me back to a time and place where things were simpler. Yet, at the same time—some things never change—social status, one finding their place in this life … One is always searching for their place in life. Everyone in life is searching for love, acceptance, financial security … We all need to know we have a place and purpose in this life. It’s like some things change so much as the years go by, and yet, at the same time, it seems like we are still in the same place we were years ago.

  In addition to Dirty Dancing, how many m
ovies have you seen multiple times? And is Patrick in them?

  Well, for one, Grandview USA because I was working with them in reference to running contests for fans, etc. Same with Red Dawn since they came out around the same time. I was doing fan mail/fan club stuff for Tommy Howell at the time. I dealt a lot with Tommy’s grandfather and with his CPA’s office (Kate). Since it was long ago, I don’t remember all the circumstances surrounding it—but they decided to run contests where selected fans could get a tour of Warner Brothers lot and could go to the screening and get to meet Patrick and/or Tommy. I can’t remember if it was the actors’ idea, Warner Brothers or whose … but it was great because it gave some kids a chance to meet with the actors and tour a studio lot.

  On a side note—the one nice thing I remember is that on a few occasions Rob Lowe came because Patrick or Tommy was away working on something else, and Rob sort of stepped in. I met him there and at the Without A Word show and remember thinking what a great guy he seemed to me. He always seemed very polite and very down-to-earth.

  Also—from (at the time) knowing the actors personally—it’s interesting to see movies several times to look at different elements. For example—the first time around, you can be so focused on Patrick or Tommy’s acting that you lose the story line or some of the other people in the story. So—you go the next time to pick up the things you missed the first time.

  As someone who also writes—I went to Red Dawn probably twenty times when it came out—not only because of Patrick and Tommy—but I love John Milius and he has a habit of putting subtle things into a story—things you really have to look for—like the truck that the kids escape in has a bumper sticker that says “Native” on it—and here they are being invaded by Cuba and the Russians. Milius was/is brilliant with subtle things like that.

  Plus, with these two movies—I saw them numerous times when I went to the screenings/contests since I had to attend with the winners. And I dragged a lot of my friends to the theatre to get them to support them. Some were reluctant to go—but afterwards seemed to enjoy the movies.

  Another one of Patrick’s films that I am drawn into is Tiger Warsaw—there is a quality to that and his performance that makes me want to watch it more than once …

  I watch lots of movies again and again—but usually from the writer’s point of view—or because I work with actors (have worked a lot in casting)—so was always looking for new talent and or someone appropriate for a film I may be involved with.

  Have watched The Outsiders and One Last Dance quite a few times too.

  And Loving Lula (Along For The Ride)—I saw before it was even released the first time. It was a screening to give your opinion of what worked, what needed to be fixed, etc. It was fun because it was the first time I had seen Patrick on the big screen in quite awhile. And of course, his character is a writer in the film. It’s also great seeing him hit that emotional level that men don’t always get to do on screen. Like the first time he says his deceased son’s name—in the scene with the two women. When he says “Andrew” and his eyes well up with tears—it makes my eyes well up. I also enjoy the scene at the “adopted” family’s house when he stands up for Lulu and what she goes through to get there—to meet the son she had to give up. It’s really a great film—and one that probably few people have seen. It has many different elements and emotional levels to it. It had to be fun to play as an actor.

  And probably anything that has the word “western” attached to it … but that’s been mostly TV shows. I love that so many of them are now out on DVD—old and new. I grew up on westerns and love anything “cowboy.”

  Have you ever met Patrick or anyone else from the cast?

  Yes, I worked with Patrick (Lisa and Nicholas Dunn) on the stage version of One Last Dance when it was still in the working stages and known as Without A Word—it was a black box show, with only the three of them revealing their inner most thoughts on dancing, persevering, and life things in general. I worked with Lynn Griffith who did publicity and helped out in several other capacities. Don (Patrick’s brother) was the stage manager. I don’t remember meeting other people from the Dirty Dancing cast—but have met most of The Outsiders and some others (from working in this business for thirty-five years).

  I also have a strong connection with Jonathan Jackson (from Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights)—his brother, Richard Lee, is someone who has been involved with my production company. Richard Lee and Jon are actually going to re-write one of my western scripts.

  Some people in Hollywood laugh—you know the “degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon”—it’s kind of like “who can we link with someone Cheryl knows or has worked with”—not so much the new people like the Lindsay Lohans or Britneys, etc … but I worked with most of the actors in the ’70s, ’80s, early ’90s at one time or another …

  Will you continue to watch Dirty Dancing?

  Oh, yeah. It’s funny because sometimes when flipping channels and it’s on—I get drawn into it. I may even have to be some place and I’ll think to myself, “You really need to get ready to go. You saw this recently. And you have it on DVD—so you really don’t need to watch this on TV right now …” But I still get drawn in. I find it hard to turn off.

  What do you think about Dirty Dancing, the movie being made into a stage production, and do you plan to see the stage production?

  I think it would be cool. If it came to Los Angeles, I would go. Right now I have too tight of a schedule to travel all over to see it—but Los Angeles, or maybe some place close enough like Vegas—I’d go see it several times.

  What do you think about a Dirty Dancing movie sequel?

  They did have Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights—with Jonathan Jackson (his brother, Richard Lee is one of my actors for my films …) and they did have the series with Patrick Cassidy (another connection to me—I used to know David and be on the PF set).

  Bonanza has kind of presented some of the same questions—they tried the prequel with The Ponderosa and most of the die hard Bonanza fans were up in arms … They did the sequels … and the reviews from fans have been very mixed …

  So there is good and bad to both sides of prequels and sequels.

  I mean, if Patrick could come back as Johnny Castle—maybe he owns his own sort of resort club or something—that could be fun. You know—he pulled himself up from feeling like nobody to being somebody …

  Do you think that there are similarities between Patrick and the character of Johnny Castle that made the role such a good fit for Patrick?

  Well, of course, the dancing. And some of the things they probably went through. Not going through exactly the same things—but I am sure as an actor there were things Patrick could draw on.

  In real life—being a male dancer (especially one who was into ballet) was one of the things Patrick always said he had to battle—getting into fights or arguments to prove his “masculinity.” I’m sure you’ve heard it in interviews before or read about it. And you have to remember in the ’60s and ’70s it was a little different than it is today—especially for someone growing up in Texas.

  With Johnny Castle, he had to prove to himself he was “worthy.” In life, people always have things they have to deal with to prove something (more to themselves than to the world around them). And of course, everyone is looking for acceptance and a place they feel they belong in this world.

  Each had their struggles. Even though some of the struggles Patrick has faced may be different from the ones Johnny has faced—the outcome is more or less the same.

  Patrick has a knee injury—something he has had forever—and I remember in the ’80s during Without A Word how he would kind of limp around and be in pain—and then go out on stage and perform as though nothing were wrong. I always wondered where he got the strength to do it. But, it’s that passion—you know that driving force that we all have deep inside us. It was as though they were two different people—the one backstage and the one on stage. But that’s what dedication and hard work
and passion and belief in something are about.

  Even though with “Johnny Castle”—it wasn’t a knee injury—but he still had obstacles to overcome—like when he said, “One month I am eating ju-ju-bes to stay alive—and now women are stuffing $$$”—it’s like his need to survive (food wise, life wise) is sort of like the knee injury vs. the person who has to go on stage and perform. Do you let it knock you down so much that you’re becoming non-functioning or do you overcome it? Whether it’s for survival or from passion for your art—you have to learn to triumph over it. If you don’t, your insides feel like they could die.

  Both Patrick and Johnny are “over-comers” and are both people who stand up for something they believe in. And they both prevailed.

  As much as it may be overused but “Nobody puts Baby in the corner” wasn’t a line by accident. That was Johnny’s turning point—one who made him realize that some things in life are worth fighting for and that regardless of his social standing, he was worthy.

  In many ways, because of the obstacles Patrick faced in his life, and Johnny faced in his—it helped them both come into their own. They each found that acceptance thing we all look for.

  Did you notice any changes in Patrick after the success of Dirty Dancing?

  He’s recognized and accepted more by Hollywood or entertainment standards. But as a person, he seems to be still the same down-to-earth, passionate, caring person he always was. Success hasn’t changed him. The only changes I see are the ones that come with age and learning … and that has more to do with wisdom and life’s experiences that help us overcome our demons. But, you could be a school teacher, a lawyer, a waitress, or a housewife and still have things that are only learned with age and experience. I don’t think success has spoiled him any.

  Which happened first—Dirty Dancing or Without A Word? And do you think either project influenced the other?