Free THE FANS' LOVE STORY: How The Movie 'DIRTY DANCING' Captured The Hearts Of Millions! by Sue Tabashnik Page A
Authors: Sue Tabashnik
stung by wasps several times while filming the famous Johnny’s cabin scene.
RUMBLING BALD RESORT
The golf course scene was filmed at Rumbling Bald resort on Lake Lure at Hole 16. This scene is when Baby’s parents were putting and Baby asked her dad for money.
Rumbling Bald Resort is located in North Carolina near Charlotte, Greenville, and Asheville—on the north side of Lake Lure.
I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Mr. Gary Wilson from Rumbling Bald Resort regarding the filming of the golf course scene.
GARY WILSON
Age 60. Lives in North Carolina.
March 2009 (telephone and e-mail interviews).
What is your position at Rumbling Bald Resort, and how long have you worked there?
Head of Security. I have worked there since December 1971. We got to see some of the filming . . . I met Patrick Swayze. He was a nice guy.
Gary told me that Patrick was the only one of the leads that he spoke to. Even though Patrick was not in the golf course scene, Gary had contact with him.
Patrick came over a couple of times. I let him through the gate. He was there during part of the filming and also came with other people for lunch one day.
How long did the filming take?
The scene at the golf course was shot in a couple of days—one entire day and part of another day.
How far away is Rumbling Bald Resort from Lake Lure Inn?
Lake Lure Inn is at the other side of the lake and is about fifteen minutes away.
Did you think Dirty Dancing would be popular?
I never thought it would be that popular. We still get fans asking to see the golf course.
Gary confirmed that there is a plaque at Hole 16 commemorating where Dirty Dancing was filmed. Also, he indicated that the fans are allowed to walk with the walking club at specified times if they want to see the hole.
Why do you think that Dirty Dancing has remained so popular?
I think the movie’s songs, dance themes, and characters reflect a simpler time that so many of us remember from our youth. For the younger generation who like it—my youngest daughter who was barely born when it came out and who has probably watched it thirty times! likes the simplicity of it without all the complicated, sordid story lines that are present in today’s movies and in today’s life.
Do you have a favorite scene or character in the movie?
Patrick Swayze was my favorite. I have always liked him. He seems to be a genuinely nice guy. Hope his health improves. He’s a fighter. My favorite scene was the dance scene at the end with “Baby.”
Gary also told me that the fire at Lake Lure Inn in which the main building burned down was about fifteen years ago. The property was bought and sold.
Also, he informed me that the movie, Last of the Mohic ans was filmed at Rumbling Bald Resort.
This moment is probably one of the most important in the entire film. Johnny (Patrick Swayze) has returned to Kellerman’s (after he had been asked to leave quietly), and takes Baby out of the corner, and up to the microphone. He says he is going to do the last dance his way—with Ms. Frances Houseman (Baby—Jennifer Grey). Johnny stands up for Baby and himself, and thus shows his respect for Baby, himself, and their relationship—in spite of what other people may think.
Johnny (Patrick Swayze) and Baby (Jennifer Grey) dance in the finale scene of the movie. Their eyes reflect their heart and soul connection.
Steve Schwartz and one of his dance partners, Nadine Leach, in 1956 in Miami Beach. This picture was the poster for the Mambo Jamboree that he ran at the De Lido Hotel. Steve Schwartz—also known by his professional dancer name Steve Sands—was the dance partner of Jackie Horner (consultant to Eleanor Bergstein) at Grossinger’s in the ’50s. Per Jackie Horner, “He’s the Johnny (Patrick Swayze).”
Mr. H. M. “Buzz” Scanland Jr., General Manager at Mountain Lake Hotel, was a very gracious host to me during my visit there in January 2009. This shot was taken in the dining room looking
RUMBLING BALD RESORT
The golf course scene was filmed at Rumbling Bald resort on Lake Lure at Hole 16. This scene is when Baby’s parents were putting and Baby asked her dad for money.
Rumbling Bald Resort is located in North Carolina near Charlotte, Greenville, and Asheville—on the north side of Lake Lure.
I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Mr. Gary Wilson from Rumbling Bald Resort regarding the filming of the golf course scene.
GARY WILSON
Age 60. Lives in North Carolina.
March 2009 (telephone and e-mail interviews).
What is your position at Rumbling Bald Resort, and how long have you worked there?
Head of Security. I have worked there since December 1971. We got to see some of the filming . . . I met Patrick Swayze. He was a nice guy.
Gary told me that Patrick was the only one of the leads that he spoke to. Even though Patrick was not in the golf course scene, Gary had contact with him.
Patrick came over a couple of times. I let him through the gate. He was there during part of the filming and also came with other people for lunch one day.
How long did the filming take?
The scene at the golf course was shot in a couple of days—one entire day and part of another day.
How far away is Rumbling Bald Resort from Lake Lure Inn?
Lake Lure Inn is at the other side of the lake and is about fifteen minutes away.
Did you think Dirty Dancing would be popular?
I never thought it would be that popular. We still get fans asking to see the golf course.
Gary confirmed that there is a plaque at Hole 16 commemorating where Dirty Dancing was filmed. Also, he indicated that the fans are allowed to walk with the walking club at specified times if they want to see the hole.
Why do you think that Dirty Dancing has remained so popular?
I think the movie’s songs, dance themes, and characters reflect a simpler time that so many of us remember from our youth. For the younger generation who like it—my youngest daughter who was barely born when it came out and who has probably watched it thirty times! likes the simplicity of it without all the complicated, sordid story lines that are present in today’s movies and in today’s life.
Do you have a favorite scene or character in the movie?
Patrick Swayze was my favorite. I have always liked him. He seems to be a genuinely nice guy. Hope his health improves. He’s a fighter. My favorite scene was the dance scene at the end with “Baby.”
Gary also told me that the fire at Lake Lure Inn in which the main building burned down was about fifteen years ago. The property was bought and sold.
Also, he informed me that the movie, Last of the Mohic ans was filmed at Rumbling Bald Resort.
This moment is probably one of the most important in the entire film. Johnny (Patrick Swayze) has returned to Kellerman’s (after he had been asked to leave quietly), and takes Baby out of the corner, and up to the microphone. He says he is going to do the last dance his way—with Ms. Frances Houseman (Baby—Jennifer Grey). Johnny stands up for Baby and himself, and thus shows his respect for Baby, himself, and their relationship—in spite of what other people may think.
Johnny (Patrick Swayze) and Baby (Jennifer Grey) dance in the finale scene of the movie. Their eyes reflect their heart and soul connection.
Steve Schwartz and one of his dance partners, Nadine Leach, in 1956 in Miami Beach. This picture was the poster for the Mambo Jamboree that he ran at the De Lido Hotel. Steve Schwartz—also known by his professional dancer name Steve Sands—was the dance partner of Jackie Horner (consultant to Eleanor Bergstein) at Grossinger’s in the ’50s. Per Jackie Horner, “He’s the Johnny (Patrick Swayze).”
Mr. H. M. “Buzz” Scanland Jr., General Manager at Mountain Lake Hotel, was a very gracious host to me during my visit there in January 2009. This shot was taken in the dining room looking
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