On this day (December 18) in 1980, 9 to 5 premiered in theaters across the United States. The classic comedy had a star-studded cast including Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Elizabeth Wilson, and Dabney Coleman. Additionally, it featured Dolly Parton in her first acting role. It was a box office hit and helped make Parton a household name outside of the world of country music.
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By 1980, Parton was no stranger to being in front of a camera. She spent seven years on The Porter Wagoner Show early in her career, exiting the series in 1974. Additionally, she found her stride as a recording artist in the ‘70s. The decade saw her release hits including “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “Here You Come Again.” In short, she was already a star when filming for 9 to 5 began.
[RELATED: Behind The Song: “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton]
Dolly Parton Shines in 9 to 5
Today, many fans see 9 to 5 as a comedy classic. The film’s wit and focus on workplace equality make it an unfortunately timeless tale of the struggle of workers—especially women—to get a fair shake. However, it got mixed reviews upon release. The one thing that many critics could agree on, though, was that Dolly Parton was destined to be a star.
Roger Ebert gave the movie three out of four stars and praised Parton’s acting. While he thought the movie was “uneven” and the plot was a bit “preposterous,” he called Parton a “natural-born movie star” and praised her natural exuberance.
Gene Siskel gave the movie 2.5 stars out of four in his Chicago Tribune review. Siskel had several criticisms of the movie’s plot and tone. However, he called Parton’s performance the film’s most pleasant surprise. He went on to say that she established herself as a “thoroughly engaging movie star” in her first film role.
Parton also wrote and recorded the movie’s theme song. “9 to 5” was the lead single from her 1980 album 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs. The song went on to be a massive hit for Parton. It topped the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, and Hot Country Songs charts. It is currently certified Triple Platinum by the RIAA.
Featured Image by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
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