<P> Originally a low - budget film by a new studio, Vestron Pictures, Dirty Dancing became a box office hit . As of 2009, it has earned over $214 million worldwide . It was the first film to sell more than a million copies on home video, and the Dirty Dancing soundtrack created by Jimmy Ienner generated two multi-platinum albums and multiple singles, including "(I've Had) The Time of My Life", which won both the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Original Song, and a Grammy Award for best duet . The film's popularity led to a 2004 prequel, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, and a stage version which has had sellout performances in Australia, Europe, and North America . </P> <P> A made - for - TV remake was released in 2017 . Unlike the original theatrical film, the remake received negative reviews from critics . </P> <P> In the summer of 1963, 17 - year - old Frances "Baby" Houseman is vacationing with her family at Kellerman's, a resort in the Catskill Mountains . Baby, the younger of two daughters, plans to study economics in underdeveloped countries and enter the Peace Corps . Her father, Jake, is the doctor and friend of Max Kellerman, the resort proprietor . Baby develops a crush on the resort's dance instructor, Johnny Castle, and meets his cousin, Billy . The staff holds secret after - hours parties in their quarters, and Baby is surprised by their "dirty dancing". Intrigued, Baby receives a brief, impromptu dance lesson from Johnny . </P> <P> Baby discovers that Johnny's dance partner, Penny Johnson, is pregnant by Robbie Gould, a womanizing waiter who is cheating on Baby's older sister, Lisa . Baby borrows money from her father to pay for Penny's illegal abortion without explaining why . Penny eventually accepts the money but identifies another issue . Penny will miss her weekly dance performance if she goes for the abortion, forfeiting Penny's and Johnny's salary for the season . Billy suggests that Baby fill in for her . Johnny's scoffing overcomes Baby's initial resistance . Billy and Penny insist that Johnny can teach anyone to dance . Johnny teaches Baby the mambo, and the two spend several awkward practice sessions together . Baby gradually improves, and they develop a romantic attraction . </P>

What year was the movie dirty dancing set in