When the producer tried to pitch the idea she was turned down 43 times before a tiny independent named Vestron gave it a greenlight. The film budget was only $5million at a time when films cost $12 million on the average to make. The two co-stars had acted together before in the surprise hit "Red Dawn and the rumor was that they didn't get along too well. The weather extremes varied from 105 degrees F to 40 degrees within 43 days. When the final screening came, one movie exec said "burn it and collect the insurance". The two stars ended up having breathtaking chemistry. The film came in on budget. When it hit the theaters in 1987 people loved it- it made $40 million in its first few weeks. Then it went on to become the top grossing independent film ever made. It is still considered as one of the top 100 movies ever made. And it was inspired by a true story. This is the true story of Dirty Dancing-the Movie. Included "Annie Lisle" by HS Thompson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices