It is the summer of 1963, and the Houseman family is planning a relaxing vacation at summer camp. At first, 17-year-old Frances (Jennifer Grey), known as Baby, is still a little bored. But that changes immediately when she meets the attractive dance teacher Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze). When the dancer's former partner becomes pregnant, Baby organizes the money for the abortion and even steps in as a dance partner. But in order to learn the mambo properly, Baby first has to take lots of private lessons from the king of hip-swingers...
Emile Ardolino's dance film triggered a veritable "Dirty Dancing" mania in 1987. Thanks to the excellent choreography, audiences wanted to experience the passionate rhythm of the mambo for themselves.