What happened to Penny in Dirty Dancing?
In the movie “Dirty Dancing,” Penny Johnson is a supporting character and a dancer at the resort where the story takes place. She becomes the center of the plot due to the important abortion subplot.
The story takes place in 1963, when Penny finds herself facing an unwanted pregnancy after a brief fling with resort employee and womanizer Robbie. Determined to terminate her pregnancy, she sought an abortion in a nearby town. However, due to financial constraints, she was unable to afford safe, professional surgery.
This is where the film’s protagonist, Frances “Baby” Houseman, steps in. Baby is a compassionate and idealistic young woman who understands Penny’s situation and sympathizes with her plight.
She decides to help Penny by borrowing money from Penny’s father, Dr. Jack Houseman, a wealthy conservative doctor. Baby lied to her father, saying she needed the money for other purposes to ensure he wouldn’t ask further.
After the funds were secured, Penny underwent an abortion. Sadly, the surgery was performed in unsafe conditions by unqualified personnel using dirty knives and folding tables. As a result, Penny experienced severe complications and suffered significant pain and bleeding.
When Dr. Hausman learned the truth about how his daughter had used the money, he did not criticize Penny’s decision to have an abortion. Instead, he’s upset that Baby lied to him and associated with a group of people he considered irresponsible.
This reaction reflected the conservative social views of the time, where abortion was heavily stigmatized and lying was frowned upon. The film discusses the issue of abortion and the challenges women faced in that era in accessing safe and legal abortions.
It also delves into the complexities of personal choice, social expectations, and the need for compassion and support for those facing difficult circumstances. The abortion subplot is significant in “Dirty Dancing,” providing a backdrop for exploring themes of reproductive rights, social norms, and the power of relationships. It remains an important part of the film’s narrative and continues to spark discussions about women’s rights and bodily autonomy.
Who plays Penny in Dirty Dancing?
In the movie “Dirty Dancing,” Cynthia Rhodes plays resort dancer Penny Johnson, who faces an unwanted pregnancy and a failed abortion. Cynthia Rhodes (born November 21, 1956) is an American actress, singer, and dancer who had a successful career in the entertainment industry in the 1980s.
She is known for her roles in several iconic films of the era, including Tina Tech in Flashdance (1983), Jackie in Staying Alive (1983) and Officer Karen Thompson in “The Getaway” (1984).
However, her role as Penny Johnson in the 1987 hit film Dirty Dancing remains one of her most compelling and memorable roles. Cynthia Rhodes, along with co-stars Jennifer Gray and Patrick Swayze, gives a strong performance as a dance instructor dealing with a difficult situation, contributing to the film’s emotional depth and impact. contributed.
After “Dirty Dancing,” Cynthia went on to star in several other films before eventually retiring from showbiz to focus on her personal life, which included raising her three sons with her then-husband, singer Richard Marx.
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Dirty Dancing Overview
Dirty Dancing is a beloved 1987 American romantic drama dance film written by Eleanor Bergstein, produced by Linda Gottlieb, and directed by Emile Adorino.
Starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray, the film tells the story of Frances “Baby” Houseman (Grey), a young woman who discovers she falls in love with dance instructor Johnny while on vacation at a resort. Castle (Swayze).
The film was inspired by screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein’s own childhood experiences. Initially, she wrote the screenplay for the Michael Douglas film My Turn, but she ended up creating a different story that became the basis for Dirty Dancing.
The script was completed in 1985, but development of the film faced delays due to management changes at MGM. Eventually, Vestron Pictures took over as the production company, with Emile Ardolino serving as director and Linda Gottlieb as producer.
Filmed on location in Lake Lure, North Carolina, and Mountain Lake, Virginia, the film features an unforgettable score composed by John Morris and choreography by Kenny Ortega.
“Dirty Dancing” premiered at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival on May 12, 1987, and was released in the United States on August 21, 1987. The film grossed more than $214 million at the global box office and became the first film to sell more than one million copies on home video.
Gray and Swayze’s performances were well-received by critics, and the film’s soundtrack, produced by Jimmy Ea, was a huge success, spawning two multi-platinum albums and numerous hit singles.
It is worth noting that the song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” sung by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes won many prestigious awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Song, the Golden Globe Award for Best Best Original Song Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.
The popularity of “Dirty Dancing” led to the release of a prequel called “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights” in 2004, and a stage adaptation that played to sold-out theaters in Australia, Europe and North America.
Additionally, a television remake was released in 2017. Fans of the original film can look forward to the sequel, set to be released in summer 2025, with Jennifer Gray reprising her role as Baby.
Dirty Dancing cast list
|
actor |
Features |
|
Jennifer Gray |
Frances “Baby” Hausman |
|
Patrick Swayze |
johnny castle |
|
Jerry Orbach |
Jack Houseman |
|
Cynthia Rhodes |
Penny Johnson |
|
Jack Weston |
Max Kellerman |
|
Jane Brooke |
Lisa Hausman |
|
Kelly Bishop |
Maggie Houseman |
|
Lonnie Price |
Neil Kellerman |
|
Max Cantor |
Robbie Gould |
|
Charles Coles |
Tito Suarez |
|
Neil Jones |
Billy Kostecki |
|
Wayne Knight |
Stan |
|
Paula Trueman |
Sylvia Schumacher |
|
Alvin Mayrovich |
Sydney Schumacher |
|
Miranda Garrison |
Vivian Pressman |
|
Gary Goudreau |
Mo Pressman |
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