When Patrick Swayze died, his death was felt by many across the world. Particularly all those fans of his biggest blockbuster movies, including 'Dirty Dancing' and 'Ghost.' In commemoration of the actor's wonderfully rich repetoire, below is a tribute to a number of his best one-liners and a breakdown as to why they were so great.
Patrick Swayze in Point Break
'Yo Johnny! See you in the next life!' was the one-liner delivered by Swayze at the very end of this top-notch surfing movie. Playing alongside Keanu Reeves (Johnny Utah), Swayze's hot-headed and slightly insane character, Bodhi heads on out into the ferocity of the deep blue ocean, with its crashing, thrashing waves, with nothing but his board and his gut strength.
There's something very invigorating about this line and, even though the character is ultimately one that should be pitied and one who has clearly been lacking tenderness and understanding throughout his life, as he runs on out to meet his death, this line only helps to make him even more fascinating. Again, every girl in the audience deep down felt attracted to Swayze's hot-headed Bodhi.
Patrick Swayze in Ghost
There's only one real line that's going to hit the top spot from this movie and that is Swayze's constant use of the word, 'Ditto.' Continually used throughout the film to help build up the character's obvious fear of commitment, Sam Wheat regularly responds to Molly's (played by Demi Moore) confessions of love with 'Ditto.'
When Oda Mae Brown (played by Whoopi Goldberg) is trying to convince Molly that she is in contact with the recently murdered Sam, the use of the word 'Ditto' is all that is needed to prove that everything she is saying is true. Tender moments arise, many a tear is shed and women all over the country wish that they were the girl sat behind the potting wheel, covered in clay and Swayze caresses.
Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing
The top one-liner of all time for Patrick Swayze, however, must surely be the very dashing, but somewhat awkwardly delivered, 'Nobody puts Baby in the corner,' as the character of Johnny in the hugely famous hit movie 'Dirty Dancing.'
That's not to say that Swayze delivered the line uncomfortably, but his incredibly endearing and vulnerable characterisation of Johnny meant that the ridiculousness of this line sent the hearts of many a female movie-goer fluttering off into the wind. How apt that the song for which Swayze sang lead vocals in the film was 'She's Like The Wind.'
There's More to Swayze Than One-Liners
Having dedicated an entire article to Swayze's one-liners is not to say that this is all that remains or indeed should be remembered of the late actor. His character range was amazing, his dancing skills beyond compare and his ability to keep his private life just that is something to be admired in a day and age of such celebrity scandal and intrigue.
Having said that, remembering the one-liners is a nice way of remembering him. They were good one-liners and will be heard coming from the mouths of film lovers for many years to come.
Tracey Chandler - Tracey Chandler currently writes a weekly column for non-profit organisation South American Explorers in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She also ...
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