In 1987, the world met Baby and Johnny Castle. And despite him being a 40-something drifter whose only guaranteed job was at a resort every summer dancing with rich people, we hoped he and the teenager formerly known as Frances would end up together — at least for as long as the duration of “I’ve Had The Time Of My Life.” Fortunately, our wishes came to pass. And while the two had nothing in common but the merengue and a penchant for lip syncing to early 60s-era hits, they made our hearts soar as high as Baby once leapt out of a lake and into Johnny’s waiting arms.

After all, summer isn’t summer without the romance of the decade. So come for the overacting and Baby’s decade-inappropriate hair, and stay for Penny, the character whose high kick too many of us tried to master before realizing we were not that flexible. – ANNE T. DONAHUE

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