Picture this: The movie 9 to 5 with Carol Burnett stepping in as Violet Newstead, the stern office supervisor, and Ann-Margret as Doralee Rhodes, the put-upon assistant, alongside Jane Fonda’s character, Judy Bernly, the housewife turned secretary. That was actually the backup plan if co-producer Jane Fonda hadn't secured her dream cast. Thankfully, the film that turned 40 this year ended up featuring the unforgettable Lily Tomlin and the legendary Dolly Parton. 9 to 5 was a smash hit in 1980, even coming in second in box office earnings that year behind Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Dabney Coleman, who played the infamous boss Franklin Hart, reminisces, "We had such a natural chemistry that nothing felt difficult. It was truly an unforgettable experience."
From Concept to Screen
Jane Fonda, now 82, got her inspiration for the film after a friend founded an association for office workers called, fittingly, Nine to Five. "They shared incredible stories," Jane recalled about the female office workers. Initially, she envisioned the story as a dramatic take on three women dealing with their "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot" of a boss, as Doralee so aptly describes him. However, Jane soon realized that a purely dramatic approach might come across as too preachy and overly focused on feminist themes. So, she and co-writer Patricia Resnick pivoted to a dark comedy, where the secretaries actually plotted to kill their boss. But even that didn't quite work.
The Magic of Casting
After witnessing Lily Tomlin’s mesmerizing one-woman Broadway show Appearing Nitely, Jane knew she had found her missing piece. "It blew me away, and I knew right then that I wouldn’t make a movie about secretaries unless she was part of it," Jane confessed. And she insisted the movie had to be funny. But Lily, who was 81 at the time, needed some convincing. "I was in the middle of filming The Incredible Shrinking Woman and was utterly exhausted," she admitted. Her wife, Jane Wagner, was the one who persuaded her to take the role, and Lily even recommended casting Dabney Coleman as their boss because, as she put it, "there’s something irresistibly sexy about him."
Read also:Whats Happening With Swat On Cbs
Before Dolly Parton ever stepped onto a film set, her closest brush with Hollywood was taking the Universal Studios theme park tour. But when Jane heard Dolly’s voice on the radio, she knew instantly that she had found her Doralee. The country music legend, now 74, agreed to join the cast under the condition that she could write the theme music. "I remember Dolly came onto the set and played the song '9 to 5' for us using just her fingernails," Lily recalled in awe. In fact, you can hear Dolly’s fingernail tapping in the percussion section of the song, which not only earned an Oscar nomination but also won Dolly two Grammy Awards.
The Enduring Legacy
Lawrence Pressman, who played Jane’s husband in the film, told Closer magazine in an exclusive interview that Dolly was nothing short of a revelation. "The bond they formed on set has lasted through the years," he said. "They created a friendship that continues to support each of them in navigating the challenges of being women in a man’s world." The filming process was smooth and professional, even with a traditionally chauvinistic crew. "With Jane present?" Lawrence laughed. "Oh, my God, no! The atmosphere was fantastic."
The success of 9 to 5 spawned a TV series that aired from 1982 to 1988, featuring Dolly’s sister Rachel Dennison as Doralee, and a Broadway musical in 2009 with all-new songs by Dolly. Despite rumors of a sequel, it hasn’t come to fruition, disappointing the original cast. "I always say, I don’t like to chew my tobacco, but I’d have chewed it again for that movie," Dolly joked. "If they come up with something, I’d still be up for it."
