One of Jane Fonda’s earliest claims to fame and Dolly Parton’s acting debut, a movie that ranks 74th in the AFI’s list of the funniest movies of all time will be on TV this Easter break.
9 to 5 tells the story of three female office workers who become frustrated with their sexist and abusive boss, and decide to take drastic action against him.
They are Violet (Lily Tomlin), – a seasoned secretary who feels undervalued – Doralee (Dolly Parton), – a young and ambitious woman seeking a better life – and June (Jane Fonda) – a fellow office worker struggling with family responsibilities.
Their shared tormentor is their boss, Franklin Hart (Dabney Colman), who is portrayed as arrogant, sexist, and generally abusive towards his female employees.
The three women initially find solace in each other’s company, but then plot a plan to take revenge on their boss, hoping to break his power in the workplace by manipulating the office environment to make things difficult for Hart.
The film’s themes revolve around the power of female solidarity and the potential for positive change when women work together.
Its theme song – also titles ‘9 to 5’ was written by Parton while on set for the film, when she figured out she could click her nails together to emulate the sound of a typewriter – then creating the beat of the song. It turned out to become one of her biggest hits, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The song also won the 1981 People’s Choice Award for Favorite Motion Picture Song, and two 1982 Grammy Awards: Country Song of the Year and Female Country Vocal of the Year.
9 to 5 reached cult status since its release, and received numerous accolades, including nominations for 15 Drama Desk Awards (the most in a single year) and four Tony Awards.
It also won two Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards, one for Musical Score (Dolly Parton) and another for Choreography (Andy Blankenbuehler).
The film was adapted into a sitcom of the same name, which aired from 1982 to 1983 and from 1986 to 1988, on ABC. It starred Parton’s younger sister, Rachel Dennison, in Parton’s role, Rita Moreno in Tomlin’s and Valerie Curtin in Fonda’s. A stage version was also made by the country legend, and debuted in 2007.
9 to 5 (1980) will be on BBC Two this Monday, April 21st, from 10pm.