For Dirty Dancing’s 20th anniversary, there was a home video release of the film, and devoted fans got to see many deleted, uncut, and extended scenes that had never been seen before. One of them was an extended version of one of the film’s most memorable scenes: when Johnny and Baby go to bed for the first time, listening to Solomon Burke’s ‘Cry to Me’.
Even though what follows is pretty implied and obvious, it isn’t actually shown. In the released version, that is. In the original, uncut version, there was a fully nude scene of Jennifer Grey, that was edited out after test screenings saw audiences’ vehement rejection to it.
Johnny Was Almost Played by Billy Zane
Everybody knows the stunning actor, Billy Zane, from classic films like Dead Calm, The Phantom, Back to the Future and of course, Titanic. What many don't know is that Dirty Dancing was almost added to that list. Back in 1987, before Swayze was cast as Johnny, a 20-year-old Billy Zane almost took the lead role. Producers thought Zane looked like a young Marlon Brando, and he was actually their first pick to play Johnny Castle. Considering Billy already had the young Italian-American, 'dark, exotic', look, he was perfect for the part.
The only reason the director went with Patrick Swayze was that he was a far better dancer. However, Jennifer Grey did say in an interview that “Billy was one of my partners and I thought he was going to get it because he was very like Marlon Brando and his dancing was pretty good.” “But then I remember Patrick and I dancing together and all of a sudden it was very easy.”
Swayze Wore a Girdle
Back in the 80s and 90s, there wasn't a single person that would've said Swayze was anything short of stunning. He had an almost perfect figure, a sculpted frame that was the embodiment of manhood. But even Swayze felt insecure when it came to playing a 25-year-old, considering he was actually 34 at the time.
Apart from one or two scenes where Swayze was shirtless, he wore a waist-tightening girdle sometimes in order to look more fit. Swayze said it made him look thinner, and thus, younger and more suited to Johnny's character.
The Film is Called ‘Swirling Sex’ in Poland
Outside of English speaking countries, Dirty Dancing is known by many different names: In France, it is 'Danse Lascive' (Lustful Dance), in Brazil it's known as 'Hot Pace', and in Spanish speaking countries, it is known as 'Hot Dance'. Indeed, even though these are pretty much straightforward translations, there are a few that are downright hilarious.
For example, in Turkish, the film was translated to 'First Dance, First Hang'. And one of the more weird ones was the Polish movie poster that read 'Wirujacy Seks', or 'Swirling Sex'. However, for the Polish home video release, the name was changed to 'Dirty Dance'.
The Film With 'The Most Romantic Line Ever’
Dirty Dancing has many memorable quotes that are remembered by viewers' even today. Who can forget the famous 'Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner' line? But out of all the quotes, there was one that was actually voted "the most romantic line ever" to be heard in a film.
Surely you remember the scene when Johnny and Baby are talking about Penny's abortion, and he tells her that it 'took a lot of guts' to go to her father and ask for help, saying that she's not scared of anything. To this, Baby says, "I'm scared of everything, I’m scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I’m with you.” The famous British publication, the Daily Mail, rated this the No 1 most romantic movie line ever!