By Fred Topel | Image property of respective holders.
Dirty Dancing 20th Anniversary Edition
There have been so many Dirty Dancing DVDs, I don't even know which features are new. Either way, this is a nice package of all sorts of extras, from interviews to found footage.
DVD Review: Dirty Dancing 20th Anniversary Edtion
New interviews with Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey et al are full of memories, details and enthusiasm. A tribute to Jerry Orbach is a nice biography from a collaborator. But new stuff is only so interesting. What's really cool to see are the found goldmines of '80s footage.
Screen tests show the natural chemistry. You see Jennifer Gray and Patrick Swayze in their prime heating up a plain white studio. The quality is high so this was well preserved. It's like you went into a time machine to shoot their rehearsals. Gray's see through spandex is extra hot too.
Deleted scenes have some more dancing, including one so suggestive it's blissfully ridiculous. A series of Wayne Knight as a hack comedian telling alternate jokes is fascinatingly annoying. An extra Jerry Orbach scene doesn't really add anything but who wouldn't want to see more Jerry Orbach?
Alternate and extended scenes are primarily interesting for showing a previously cast mom. She became ill and was replaced. She's a very different type, though these scenes don't really show anything that would have changed the dynamic of the film, but it's always interesting to see.
Dirty Dancing 20th Anniversary Edition is out on DVD now.
Add to Heffee!
