In Memory of Dolly Parton: A Look at Her First Film “9 to 5”
It’s still crazy that a couple weeks ago we lost two legends back to back - Tim Curry and Dolly Parton. Since my other review focused on Curry, for this review, I wanted to take a look at Dolly Parton’s first feature-length film “9 to 5.”
“9 to 5” is a classic 1980 workplace comedy about three working women who team up to overthrow and get revenge on their sexist, and egotistical boss. The three women bond one evening over drinks and jokingly share elaborate fantasies about how they would get rid of their terrible boss, Franklin Hart, Jr.
However, a series of chaotic misunderstandings - including a mistaken poisoning involving rat killer - leads the women to believe they have actually harmed him.
The initial audience response to the 1980 comedy “9 to 5” was overwhelmingly positive, turning the workplace comedy into a massive commercial blockbuster and an enduring cultural phenomenon. While critics at the time offered mixed reviews, everyday movie-goers embraced the film’s blend of broad slapstick humor and sharp social commentary.
The pairing of Jane Fonda (the timid newcomer), Lily Tomlin (the overlooked veteran), and Dolly Parton (the unfairly judged executive secretary) is simply pure magic. All three of their distinct comedic styles really harmonize so effortlessly on the screen and all of their scenes together are very entertaining.
While all three of the actresses really worked well together, Dolly Parton’s theatrical debut in this movie was a huge triumph. While she was already a massive country music star before this film began production and was released, movie-goers were easily captivated by her charisma, comedic timing, and natural screen presence.
Movie-goers easily fell in love with her warmth, quick-witted nature, and how she effortlessly stood toe-to-toe with seasoned co-stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. Parton’s comedic chemistry throughout this film really cracked me up - especially during a few later scenes with Dabney Coleman (the boss).
“9 to 5” also tackles real corporate grievances of the era (and still today) - equal pay, sexual harassment, flexible scheduling and being passed over promotions - without being preachy. Seeing the women secretly run the office and implement reforms that boasted morale (all while Mr. Hart was a little tied up) is easily one of the best moments of the film.
The 1980 workplace comedy also has plenty of moments that viewers will really enjoy, such as the three women fantasizing about how they would flip the dynamic on their boss, and the very hilarious hospital mix up. During this entire mix-up, Lily Tomlin’s character thought that Mr. Hart went to the hospital due to her accidentally poisoning the coffee. As soon as they get to the hospital, the women are under the impression that Hart died and Tomlin’s character over-reacts and while thinking she is sneaking Hart’s body out of the hospital, it’s actually just someone else - all while Mr. Hart actually just walked out of the hospital after a bump in the head.
The public’s love for “9 to 5” never really faded. The film still maintains strong ratings on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes. Years later, the film’s popularity spawned a TV sitcom later in the 80s and a very successful Broadway musical adaptation.
MPA: Rated PG (running time 109 minutes)
Initial release date: December 19, 1990
Streaming services: Hulu/Netflix/various PVOD services (as of working on this review)
Dolly Parton accepted the role with the condition that she would write and sing the theme song, which was nominated for an Academy Award® and won two Grammys. Parton made the same deal for almost every other movie, in which she has starred. The exception was Steel Magnolias (1989), which declined to use the Parton-penned song "Eagle When She Flies."
The first female-led film to gross $100 million dollars.
This was Dolly Parton's theatrical film debut. In preparation for her role as Doralee Rhodes, she not only committed to memory her own part, but the parts of every other role in the film. Apparently, the two experienced starring actresses, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, burst out laughing when Parton let on that she believed that pictures were filmed in the chronological order of a film's script.
A sequel was planned through the 1980s, but no storyline was ever settled on, and plans were canceled after Writer/Director Colin Higgins died on August 5, 1988.
The movie spurred a reasonably successful sitcom television series Nine to Five (1982) which went for 85 episodes, and aired between 1982 and 1988. The first three seasons were broadcast on ABC between Spring 1982 and Fall 1983, while the second and final season aired in syndication between 1986 and 1988. Dolly Parton's younger sister Rachel Parton George played Parton's role Doralee Rhodes on the show.
Listed at #74 in the American Film Institute's 2000 list of the Top 100 Funniest American Movies.
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