As if S.E. Hinton’s novel, The Outsiders, wasn’t enough of a hit when it was published in 1967, the theatrical adaptation was also a hit when it was released in 1983.  On top of being a fantastic story, The Outsiders is near the top of my list of Patrick Swayze favorites.

Our story begins with the first of many members of this young, star-studded cast.  ”When I stepped out into the bright sunlight, from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind.  Paul Newman, and a ride home.”  Ponyboy Curtis (C. Thomas Howell, Gods and Generals, Hidalgo) is a 14-year-old Greaser living with his two older brothers, Sodapop (Rob Lowe, The West Wing) and Darry (Patrick Swayze).  Since the passing of their parents, Darry (Swayze) is caring for and supporting his two younger brothers.  When Ponyboy comes home late one night and the three Curtis brothers get into a tiff, Darry hits Ponyboy and sends him running out the door.  Ponyboy finds his friend Johnny (Ralph Macchio, The Karate Kid) sleeping in the park, wakes him up, and tells him that Darry hit him.  The two plan to spend some time in the park to give Darry time to cool off, but are confronted by 4 drunk Socs who are looking for a fight.  Ponyboy and Johnny do their best to fight back, but the Socs get Ponyboy’s head underwater in the park fountain.  Feeling like he has no other choice, Johnny kills one of the gang with his switchblade and the rest take off running.  Not knowing what to do, they run to find their friend Dally (Matt Dillon, Crash, You, Me, & Dupree) who tells them to get on a freight train and head to an old abandoned church on the hill to hide until things calm down and he can get up there to help them.  They do as they’re told, and they wait.

4 days pass. Dally finally shows up at the church and offers to take the boys out for a bite to eat at DQ.  When they get back, they find the church ablaze with a school bus full of kids still trapped inside.  Johnny and Ponyboy take off running into the church to help, and all 3 boys end up leaving the scene in an ambulance.  While Ponyboy and Dally’s injuries are minor, Johnny’s condition is another story.  The doctors don’t know if he’ll make it.  With the big rumble coming up (a brawl between the Greasers and the Socs), the Greasers decide they’re going to fight for Johnny.  The Greasers (all aforementioned actors, also including Two-Bit played by Emilio Estevez and Steve played by Tom Cruise) and Socs exchange blows until ultimately none are left standing but the Greasers.  In celebration, Dally and Ponyboy head for the hospital to tell Johnny the good news.  They get there just in time to tell him about their victory.  Johnny turns to Ponyboy and says, “Fighting’s no good.  Stay gold, Ponyboy… stay gold.”

I read this story for the first time in junior high.  It’s great for all ages and it’s a timeless classic.  As for Swayze…

Someone very wise always told me that “a person who belongs in the spotlight is also one who knows when to blend into the background.”  I find that to be very true of Swayze and his role in The Outsiders. Though extremely deserving of the lead, his talent is made even more apparent in the way he still commands the screen in a supporting role.  That’s the mark of a true professional.  That’s the mark of an incredible talent, like that of Patrick Swayze.

In Memory of Patrick Wayne Swayze, Aug. 12, 1952 – Sept. 14, 2009