Johnny Castle never backed down. He wasn't afraid to express himself. He did what it took to survive. He admired people who deserved admiration. He wasn't going to settle for the pachanga when his dancers knew a livelier, fresher way to move. He knew that no young woman should be put in a corner.
Patrick Swayze's passing hit me hard. I came to adore him later than most. The fall that "Dirty Dancing" was out, I was working like crazy at a couple of different jobs and in school. Neal and I were dating for the first time. I think I saw one movie that fall. When spring came, I added even more work to my schedule as I was saving up to spend a month in Australia. By the time I returned home and settled back into a more civilized pace of life, "Dirty Dancing" wasn't even in the 99 cent theater. I did have a cut pair of denim shorts to my knee just like Baby sports, though.
Fast forward to the late 1990s. My girlfriend Jessie, a dancer, couldn't believe that I'd never seen what can only be deemed a classic movie. She had an extra copy and gave it to me. I think I watched it three times in a row that first time. I rarely can watch just once. I think this lovely essay gets to the heart of what is so special about "Dirty Dancing" and Patrick Swayze.
This weekend, I'm going to have a little "Dirty Dancing" marathon. I'm going to fix something wonderful to eat, curl up on the couch, and feel the thrill of first love again. Then I might talk Neal into another round of dancing lessons. Let's face it, who doesn't want to be Baby in that final scene, even for a moment?
I’m going to indulge in a North and South miniseries marathon this weekend in remembrance of Mr. Swayze. It’ll be a grand time.
Teri
“Dirty Dancing” — yes, but it didn’t hit me too hard because I was (ahem) way past 16 myself by the time it came out. “Ghost” — now, that was the one for me. I adore unashamed romance! I found myself wishing it were true and that things like that could really happen. For sheer animal power, though, it’s “Roadhouse” every time…
Three great movies and he was so sexy! Sounds like a great movie marathon. I too was saddedned at his passing. A dancer, a cowboy and a loving marriage. Wow.
Once I’m home again and have access to the DVD’s I’ll be watching some DD – and some Roadhouse. Yes it’s tacky as hell and there are some horrible acting moments but #1 Swayze made you believe that you HAD to be nice…until it was time to not be nice and #2 you can’t go wrong with a movie that has both Sam Elliot AND Swayze in it. Swoonfest. ;o)
Dirty Dancing was my jr. high slumber party movie–I can’t even remember how many times I watched it with giggly girls half-understanding the true story line and all of us secrectly wondering what it would be like to just once have someone’s attention like Johnny Castle. Sigh.
As Nancy pointed out, he managed to be both a dancer and a cowboy man’s man. That’s the sort of man we need more! Not to mentioned that he was a devoted husband…