Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, and Jane Fonda in “9 to 5" at the Rock Island Public Library Southwest Branch -- September 25.
Friday, September 25, 2 p.m.
Rock Island Public Library Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road, Rock Island IL
Presented in celebration of one of the most influential and beloved entertainers in American history, the September 25 “Dolly Parton Day” at the Rock Island Public Library's Southwest Branch will boast a screening of 9 to 5, the star's film debut and among the most widely adored comedies of the 20th century.
Director/co-writer Colin Higgins' 1980 smash centers on the downtrodden working lives of three women: Violet, Judy, and Doralee (respectively played by Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, and Parton). They all work at Consolidated Industries, which is presided over by the sexist, lecherous, and pompous Franklin Hart. Violet has worked at Consolidated for many years, but has never been given the chance to rise above senior-supervisor status. Judy is newly separated and joins the company having never worked before. Doralee is a sexy, happily married country girl, but she is ostracized from the other female workers. After Judy has an awful first day, Hart passes Violet over for another promotion, and Doralee finds out that Hart has been telling everyone they are having an affair, the three women unite in their hatred of Hart, fantasizing about how they would kill him. Yet when Violet almost unwittingly poisons Hart the next day, he blackmails the three women, threatening them with police action. Doralee, however, ties Hart up with phone wires and, feeling empowered, the three women decide to imprison him in his own house while his wife is away, running the office to great effect during Hart's absence. But what will happen if and when Hart breaks free?
Development on 9 to 5 began after Fonda formed the production company IPC Films, and was inspired by 1940s-era films which featured multiple female leads. The initial screenplay was written by Patricia Resnick as a drama, but after discussions between Tomlin and Fonda, Higgins was hired and adapted 9 to 5 from a drama to a comedy. Production was paused during rewrites, during which, the rest of the main cast was rounded out: 9 to 5 was a star vehicle for Parton, who was a successful musician prior to acting in the film. Principal photography took place primarily in Los Angeles. The film's soon-to-be-iconic theme song, performed by Parton, was released in November 1980.
9 to 5 was first theatrically released in the United States on December 19, 1980, by 20th Century Fox. Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for Parton's performance but criticism for its plot. Its theme song was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe, while Parton received two Golden Globe nominations, including for Best Actress. 9 to 5 has since received retrospective praise for its comedy and commentary on workplace sexism and women's labor. It grossed $103.3 million worldwide, and has also been adapted into both a television series and a Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical for which Parton wrote the score and lyrics.
9 to 5 will be shown in the September 25 “Dolly Parton Day” celebration at the Rock Island Public Library's Southwest Branch, the 2 p.m. screening is free, and more information is available by calling (309)732-7323 and visiting RockIslandLibrary.org.
