Hollywood Actress: Dolly Parton
(Dolly Parton acting in the film 9 to 5 in 1980. Image courtesy of Pinterest)
Background
In addition to being a popular country music performer, Dolly Parton is an icon in the film industry, most well known for her role in the film 9 to 5 in 1980. From the small town of Locust Ridge, Tennessee, she was always exposed to music. Being one of 12 kids, Parton was constantly with her family. Her mother was the one who introduced her to singing and playing the guitar.
At age 10, Parton was performing professionally, appearing on television and radio shows in the town of Knoxville. Growing up, Parton found struggles as she started to enter the world of fame. When going to a movie theater in Manhattan at the age of 21, two men approached her and a friend thinking they were "streetwalkers." One man start to put his hands on her making comments that "she wanted it" and offered her money. She had to pull out her pistol to finally scare the two away.
The camera continued to follow Parton throughout her career, as she landed her first film role in the 1980 film 9 to 5. In 1982 she continued to progress with her career in Hollywood, starring in the film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, with actors Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise. Her roles in film led to success within her profession in the country music industry, as her hit song "I Will Always Love you" was introduced in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
(Dolly Parton posing for a 1976 New York City Photo shoot. Image courtesy of Oprah.com/inspiration)
Sexism in the 1980's
Parton's role in the film 9 to 5 touches upon the challenges that women continue to face in Hollywood today. Parton's role as a secretary to a misogynistic boss in the office environment within the film puts an emphasis on the small roles that women have played in films within Hollywood. The idea of females working in lower class jobs was represented within the film 9 to 5, which has been a pattern throughout cinematic history.
In addition to films portraying women in lower class roles within the 1980's, women dressing in minimal clothing on was a reoccurring problem as well. Another big time film that came out in 1983, was the continuation of the Star Wars saga with the release of the third movie in the series, Return of the Jedi. Within the film, actress Carrie Fisher tries to rescue the Han Solo, played by Harrison Ford, when she is found and captured. Being sold into slavery, gangster Jabba the Hutt forces her into a a golden garment, leaving most of her body exposed. Fisher is rescued later by Luke Skywalker, and is freed from slavery. The golden garment she wears in the film leaves Fisher's body's exposed.
In present day society, there are still posters of Fisher in this outfit hanging on the walls of bedrooms and comic stores everywhere.
Accomplishments
- Opened Dollywood Theme Park in 1986
- Academy Award Nomination in 2005 for her song Travelin Thru' appearing in the film Transamerica
- In 2011 she received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement
- Christopher Award Honor for her NBC TV Movie Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors in 2016
- Emmy nomination in 2017 for film Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love
Dolly Parton being interviewed for her role in the film 9 to 5
Move Trailer for the 1980 Film 9 to 5
Quotes and Lyrics by Dolly Parton
"If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.”
"Find out who you are and do it on purpose.”
"I'm not going to limit myself just because people won't accept the fact that I can do something else.”
"It costs a lot of money to look this cheap."
"Under this hair is a brain, not that you'd ever care/And you only see tits, but there's a heart under there," - from the hit song 9 to 5.
Additional Information
The Life and Career of Dolly Parton
Memories of the '80s women, advertising and sexism
(Page researched and written by Amanda Holland.)
