Episode 19: Dirty Dancing Turns 30

A surprise hit in 1987, Dirty Dancing has captivated audiences of all ages for 30 years with its story of Catskill culture, a young woman’s coming of age, and the class divide in America. This episode celebrates the staying power of a film that was originally rejected by studios for being too “small and soft”—and explores Dirty Dancing’s powerful portrait of class, gender, and Jewish life. Co-hosts Nahanni Rous and JWA Executive Director Judith Rosenbaum discuss the cultural impact of the film, interview the film's producer Linda Gottlieb, and recall their own adolescent longings as they watched, and rewatched, the film as teens.

Released December 19, 2017
  • Linda Gottlieb, producer of Dirty Dancing, standing next to a promotional poster for the film (in Italian).

  • Promotional image for the film Dirty Dancing.

  • Jennifer Grey, star of Dirty Dancing, at the 1988 Academy Awards.

  • Linda Gottlieb, Producer of "Dirty Dancing"
  • Dirty Dancing
  • Jennifer Grey at the Oscars

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How to cite this page

Jewish Women's Archive. "Episode 19: Dirty Dancing Turns 30." (Viewed on April 25, 2024) <http://jwa.org/podcasts/canwetalk/episode-19-dirty-dancing-turns-30>.