When I entered my teen years, I was quick to make snap decisions about those I came in contact with at my school or work place. I would walk down a street or hallway and sum up my impression of anyone who caught my eye. I would judge them by what they wore or how they fixed their hair. The kind of car they drove or how clean they kept it also would sum up my impression of them. If they gobbled their food or ate with their mouth open used to make me think twice if I wanted to know them better. I was not raised this way by my parents. I knew better, but that powerful, teenager pull of wanting and needing to fit in was often too strong and clouded my estrogen filled brain. This is hard for me to admit. I was a critical bitch at times. Looking back, I hope, I wasn’t cruel.
Time has a way of softening and shaving off these disapproving edges of my young personality. I never was a mean girl, but maybe I came close within my private thoughts. It wasn’t that I thought I was better, I just didn’t have the tools to process what I saw and felt at a visceral level. I berated the one girl in my school who got pregnant and had the audacity to continue attending classes until the administration stopped her. I didn’t stand up against the bullies who ruled the locker area. I wanted to say something, but I knew it was just not done. I dreamed of being with the cool kids, but that was never meant to be. I guess one day I just woke up and realized I am who I am. I am not sure of how this came about. I have no memory of one event that changed me and made me a better, more inclusive person.
In high school I ran for class secretary with the slogan “Esta is besta!” I lost, but it made me even stronger in believing in myself. I could only do my “besta” and move forward. The kid who dressed in holey t-shirts became my friend, and we still chat today on FB. I stopped judging people by the clothes they wear, their right to love differently than myself, or how much money is in their bank account. My world became larger and brighter and over the decades. I have met the most amazing people because no one should judge a book by its cover or A COAT OF MANY COLORS and get it right. It is imperative to look beyond the visual. It is necessary to search for what is inside each person who crosses our path. It does not matter if they appear cheap wearing heavy make-up, huge, peroxide, blond wigs, and tight-fitting clothes showing off a bust-line of immense proportions. True beauty is not skin deep. It is the essence of one’s soul that counts.
This past week the world lost one of its brightest stars. Dolly Parton. She changed how we accept others. She was humble, loving, honest, caring, funny, joyful, extremely talented, and creative. She made a difference in millions of people’s lives around our planet. She raised the bar for all of us to strive to become better. I wish I had a specific Dolly Parton story. I wish I had met her and walked in her orbit. All I can do is revisit her films and listen to her music with a smile on my face. This week I watched one of my favorite movies that never fails to make me laugh, think, and remember just how great a piece of celluloid can make a person feel. 9 to 5 was Parton’s feature film debut. She costarred with the incomparable Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. This was brilliant casting and one that is truly unforgettable.
9 to 5 was the second biggest box office draw for the entire 80’s and earned over a hundred million dollars while costing only ten million to create. It was the first feature film with a mostly female cast. It was ground-breaking and one of the first films to be produced by Jane Fonda’s production company, IPC. The movie was reinvented for a television series soon after starring Parton’s sister in the role of Doralee. The franchise also enjoyed a year on Broadway with over 130 performances.
The film didn’t win any Oscars, but the title song, 9 to 5 was nominated for Best Original Song. Of course Parton was the writer and sung the song during the opening and closing credits. It was the only song to become number one on the charts during three different decades. It won two Grammys as well for Parton. When she introduced it for the film producers right after she wrote it, she performed a cappella while using her acrylic nails as the tapping driving beat on her guitar. She said the sound was her inspiration comparing the clatter to a typewriter. She further remarked that in order to perform this song, a person has to wear falsies and fake nails. She had a great sense of humor. Dolly was always honest about herself and her look. She was quoted saying several times, “It takes a lot of work to look this cheap.”
The movie was directed and written by Colin Higgins. (FOUL PLAY, HAROLD AND MAUDE, SILVER STREAK) The actresses were in competent hands since Higgins understood how to make a solid comedy come alive on screen. He encouraged ad-libbing and he was the instigator who changed the second act to take on a lighter, fantasy tone. Originally, the trio would actually want to kill their boss, Franklin Hart, (Dabney Coleman). But later rewrote the sequences as drug induced dream segments. He also added the brief epilogue about the future of each main character. He wanted to make sure 9 to 5 stayed in its comedic lane. Some critics have poo-pooed these decisions saying the film should have been darker in content during the second half. Thank goodness both Higgins and millions of fans did not agree.
Jane Fonda (KLUTE, ON GOLDEN POND) and Lily Tomlin (NASHVILLE, ALL OF ME) were a major force in Hollywood. Fonda got the idea for the movie because she was concerned about women’s rights at the work place. She researched the topic and spoke with several women trying to survive on a secretary’s salary while still having to contend with the inequality and inappropriate male behavior in the corporate office. Fonda created her character,Judy, from a conglomeration of real life women, including the enormous hat, oversized glasses, and fussy dresses. Her characterization hit a bulls-eye with women. Tomlin played a stronger, more in charge woman who had been passed over for a promotion for years just because she was female. Again, women everywhere could relate to this unfair dilemma. Tomlin was notorious for improvising lines during shooting. Her off-the-cuff remark about Judy’s hat stayed in the final cut. “We’ll have to get another locker just for the hat.” Tomlin couldn’t hold herself back especially when the ladies were smoking marijuana. “Maui wowie.” Both actresses were simply fabulous. They played off of each other’s timing and pacing to continually hit each joke and silly shenanigan. They kept audiences laughing until the tears rolled down. Who will ever forget the fantasy killing sprees and the entire outrageous hospital fiasco from start to finish. Bravo.
Dolly Parton as Doralee was magnificent. Her facial expressions and self-assured, confident, physical movements were priceless. She could do it all escalating from sweet innocence to pure, boiling anger over her predicament at work. She made audiences want to be her friend and stand up for her in the end. She proved she could act on a big screen and added one more notch on her belt by becoming a film star. She did have a hard time with the romantic kiss in 9 to 5, but her nervous anxiety vanished when Doralee’s movie husband was cast as a long-time friend of Parton in real life. The single kiss became easy-peasy. Watching Parton develop and grow into a strong actress was natural and meant to be.
Dabney Coleman as Mr. Hart was fantastic. His acting as the “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical, bigot” was superb. He had the ability to project a bumbling, chauvinistic boss in a humorous, subtle manner. He allowed the spotlight to shine on all that was wrong within huge corporations. The fight is not still over for women’s equal rights. Coleman and the writers made that crystal clear.
9 to 5 is just a pure delight to watch. It is funny, entertaining, and holds up well since it premiered in 1980. It is a true comedy classic that will plant a smile on everyone’s face. It showcases the powerful bond of women’s friendships. It spawned several similar themed movies over future decades such as WORKING GIRL,THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, THE ASSOCIATE, and HORRIBLE BOSSES. 9 to 5 also created another avenue that invited film-goers to fall in-love with Parton in a different artistic medium. I will never forget the truths she spoke, the sound of her giggles, her generosity, love for all, and effervescent smile. We will always love her.
Thank you Dolly for the joy and light you brought to our world.
9 to 5 is available on Amazon prime.
