Dirty Dancing Date Night

"That was the summer of 1963" and so one of my favourite films of all time began.

Unbelievably, it was actually the autumn of 1987 and the 30 year celebrations since Dirty Dancing hit the big screen have got underway in earnest.

As a nine year old, I was almost certainly too young for quite a bit of the content at the time of release, but the Patrick Swayze classic quickly became a firm family favourite. My sister and I loved the final 20 minutes so much that we even wore out our video tape.

Dirty Dancing is to be screened in several of the area's cinemas next week in a Valentine's Day special.

I wouldn't say it's the ultimate romantic film, but I've definitely had worse company on many a February 14th than a smouldering Johnny.

It got me thinking why the cult classic continues to capture our hearts and our hips three decades later.

There are, of course, all the famous catchphrases, which have made their way into film folklore. It is, I suggest, literally impossible not to cheer when the disgraced Johnny returns to Kellerman's to sweep Baby off her feet and onto the dancefloor and says those immortal words "Nobody puts Baby in a corner."

Similarly, I haven't looked at a watermelon in the same way since.

There's the dancing grannies, the superb one-liners and the brilliant music with everything from Be My Baby to Hungry Eyes on a superb soundtrack of 60s classics.

That's not to mention the famous finale tune (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life. And who wouldn't want to be a part of the best last dance ever and have a crack at the lift.

I did on my wedding day. Unfortunately it took more than one dancer to lift me and my meringue off the ground, but I had the time of my life nonetheless.

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