History Film / DirtyDancing

* FootFocus: On both Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, particularly during the scene where they're dancing on the log.

* GoodGirlsAvoidAbortion: One of the strongest aversions in cinema. [[spoiler: Penny goes through one without a second thought, even though she's scared. But when the film has a chance to have AnAesop about not having one when the operation turns out to be a back-alley abortion, Baby's father saves Penny's life, doesn't report her, and even saves her from sterility, without blaming her or condemning her for her choice; his criticism is reserved entirely for the guy who got her into the predicament to begin with. The movie even has a CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming when Penny wordlessly thanks Baby's father at the end of the movie]].

* DaddysGirl:
** Baby to Dr. Houseman.
** Lisa attempt to become Daddy's Girl after their falling out.

* BrainlessBeauty: Penny.
** Penny actually seems pretty smart, just not book-educated. If anyone defines this trope, it's Lisa, in spades.

** Even within the help this clash is seen. The waiters were recruited from Ivy League schools and are encouraged to romance the girls while the dance teachers are from the wrong side of the tracks and threatened with punishment should they become involved with a guest.

* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotSymbolic: Baby's clothes becoming more revealing as the film progresses, starting with the second time she visits the staff quarters, coinciding with her developing sexuality. Then they revert to plain and frumpy when she tries to talk to her father after he learns of her and Johnny's relationship.

* DawsonCasting: At 27, Jennifer Grey was 10 years older than her character. Her Sister and Johnny also count.

* SlobsVersusSnobs: The wealthy patrons vs. the help.

*** Indeed, pretty much the only members of the entertainment staff who aren't treated condescendingly are the resort's house band. If anything, Max doesn't see Tito as merely an employee, but also as a friend and confidant as well, and thus treats him as an equal.

* YouLookFamiliar: Both Swayze and Grey previously worked together in ''Film/RedDawn1984'', while Kenny Ortega previously choreographed ''Film/FerrisBuellersDayOff'', which Grey also co-starred in.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Sarah Jessica Parker and Billy Zane originally auditioned for the roles of Baby and Johnny, but they couldn't dance very well, and director Emile Ardolino only wanted experienced dancers in the film, to avoid the problems of using dance doubles, which occurred in ''{{Flashdance}}''. In addition, writer and co-producer Eleanor Bergstein originally wanted her close friend, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, and Grey's father, Joel Grey, to play elderly resort guests and kleptomaniacs Mr. and Mrs. Schumacher, the actual culprits who stole Moe Pressman's wallet, but Westheimer dropped out when she discovered that the character was a thief and Joel Grey did not appear. Instead, the roles were played by Paula Trueman and Alvin Myerovitch.

* DaddysGirl: Baby, to Dr. Houseman. Lisa becomes this after their falling out.

* SesameStreetCred: Happened with both Lonny Price and Miranda Garrison of all people. Before he was cast as Neil, Price previously made his film debut as Ronnie Crawford in ''Film/TheMuppetsTakeManhattan''. Garrison also worked in the Muppet stable when she choreographed ''[[Series/SesameStreet The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland]]''. In addition, Wayne Knight made a guest appearance on ''SquareOneTV'', which, like ''Sesame Street'', was also a SesameWorkshop production. To top it all off, Jennifer Grey's father, Joel Grey, had previously made a guest appearance on ''Series/TheMuppetShow''.

* DawsonsCasting: At 27, Jennifer Grey is 10 years older than her character. Her Sister and Johnny also count.

* YouLookFamiliar: Both Swayze and Grey previously worked together in ''Film/RedDawn'', while Kenny Ortega previously choreographed ''Film/FerrisBuellersDayOff'', which Grey also co-starred in.

* ActorAllusion: When Kelly Bishop, playing Baby's mother, Marge, says of her daughter's dancing abilities, "She gets that from me." Kelly Bishop is a former ballet dancer who was in the original production of ''AChorusLine''. Jerry Orbach himself was also a well known dancer and he was Billy Flynn in the original production of ''Theatre/{{Chicago}}''. In fact, both musicals engaged in a famous rivalry for box office receipts and Tony awards when they opened within months of each other in 1975.

* TheUnfavorite: In one of her few scenes with genuine emotional depth, Lisa implies that she has felt like this for some time when she snaps at Baby, "You're not Daddy's girl anymore. He listens when ''I'' talk now".

* GoodGirlsAvoidAbortion: One of the strongest aversions in cinema. [[spoiler: Penny goes through one without a second thought, even though she's scared. But when the film has a chance to have AnAesop about not having one when the operation turns out to be a back-alley abortion, Baby's father saves Penny's life, not report her, and even saves her from sterility, without blaming her or condemning her for her choice; his criticism is reserved entirely for the guy who got her into the predicament to begin with. The movie even has a CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming when Penny wordlessly thanks Baby's father at the end of the movie]].

** Even within the help this clash is seen. The waiters were recruited from Ivy League schools and are encouraged to romance the girls, while the dance teachers are from the wrong side of the tracks and threatened with punishment should they become involved with a guest.

* YouLookFamiliar: Both Swayze and Grey previously worked together in ''RedDawn'', while Kenny Ortega previously choreographed ''Film/FerrisBuellersDayOff'', which Grey also co-starred in.

In addition to the prequel, there was a ''very'' short lived TV series based on the film, which ran on Creator/{{CBS}} from 1988 to 1989. In addition to not having any of the original cast and very limited involvement from the film crew, the show had one ''glaring'' change plotwise: Baby was now Max Kellerman's daughter and she was now in charge of Johnny as the resort's talent director.

In addition to the prequel, there was a ''very'' short lived TV series based on the film, which ran on Creator/{{CBS}} from 1988 to 1989. In addition to not having any of the original cast or creators, the show had one ''glaring'' change plotwise: Baby was now Max Kellerman's daughter and she was now in charge of Johnny as the resort's talent director.

In addition to the prequel, there was a ''very'' short lived TV series based on the film, which ran on Creator/{{CBS}} from 1988 to 1989. It was mostly true to the movie, with one ''glaring'' change: Baby was now Max Kellerman's daughter and she was now in charge of Johnny as the resort's talent director.

* SesameStreetCred: Happened with both Lonny Price and Miranda Garrison of all people. Before he was cast as Neil, Price previously made his film debut as Ronnie Crawford in ''TheMuppetsTakeManhattan''. Garrison also worked in the Muppet stable when she choreographed ''[[Series/SesameStreet The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland]]''. In addition, Wayne Knight made a guest appearance on ''SquareOneTV'', which, like ''Sesame Street'', was also a SesameWorkshop production. To top it all off, Jennifer Grey's father, Joel Grey, had previously made a guest appearance on ''Series/TheMuppetShow''.

* HoistByHisOwnPetard/NiceJobFixingItVillain: How Jake finds out the truth about Penny's abortion. Near the end of the film, while some of the staffers are singing the resort's anthem, Jake approaches Robbie, hands him an envelope containing either a check or a letter of recommendation, and wishes him good luck in medical school. Robbie replies by thanking Jake for helping Penny out and telling him, "I guess we've all gotten into messes", effectively confessing and insulting Penny at the same time. Jake, who is understandably miffed, and not just over Robbie's deed, but also at the fact that he was dating Lisa at the same time, takes the envelope back.

* HoistByHisOwnPetard: How Jake finds out the truth about Penny's abortion. Near the end of the film, while some of the staffers are singing the resort's anthem, Jake approaches Robbie, hands him an envelope containing either a check or a letter of recommendation, and wishes him good luck in medical school. Robbie replies by thanking Jake for helping Penny out and telling him, "I guess we've all gotten into messes", effectively confessing and insulting Penny at the same time. Jake, who is understandably miffed, and not just over Robbie's deed, but also at the fact that he was dating Lisa at the same time, takes the envelope back.

In addition to the prequel, there was a ''very'' short lived TV series based on the film, which ran on {{CBS}} from 1988 to 1989. It was mostly true to the movie, with one ''glaring'' change: Baby was now Max Kellerman's daughter and she was now in charge of Johnny as the resort's talent director.

!!This film provides examples of:

* DelusionsOfLocalGrandeur: This movie was filmed on-location at Mountain Lake in Giles County, Virginia. A fact that [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WSLS WSLS]], a Roanoke, VA-based {{NBC}} station, will make DAMN sure you don't forget if you watch it.

* TheGloriousWarOfSisterlyRivalry: One-sided on Lisa's part.

* ParentheticalSwearing: "He wouldn't know a new idea if it hit him in his pachanga!"
* PetTheDog: Lisa offering to do Baby's hair.
* PresentDayPast: Baby's outfits look more '80s than '60s, and much of the soundtrack is contemporary music. Honestly, they weren't even trying. This is handwaved during the writer's commentary, when she notes that it's a nostalgia piece, so the details don't matter as much (something like that). Also the cost of obtaining the music rights was prohibitive on the film's budget.

* TheSixties: Though you would never know it from Jennifer Grey's EightiesHair.