10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Classic Film '9 to 5'

Today is 9/5. So it only makes sense that we talk about the hilarious film 9 to 5! Here are 10 things you didn’t know about this cinematic masterpiece.

10. 9 to 5 Was Supposed to Be A Drama/Black Comedy

We know the 1980 film 9 to 5 as a screwball workplace comedy. But the original concept was a lot darker. At first, the writers wanted the film to be more dramatic, but the plot was becoming too preachy. Then they came up with a story where the three leads actually do try and kill their boss but Jane Fonda was worried that the women wouldn’t be sympathetic enough.

9. Jane Fonda Came Up With The Concept

9 to 5 was produced by IPC Films, which is a production company owned by Jane Fonda, one of the film’s stars. She came up with the idea for the film from a friend of hers that started an association of women office workers called “Nine to Five.”

8. 9 to 5 Was Dolly Parton’s Film Debut

Nowadays, we recognize Dolly Parton from Steel Magnolias, The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, and Rhinestone. But her illustrious film career started with this film. Though she had been in music videos and starred in The Porter Waggoner Show, she had not been in a film until 9 to 5.

7. The Roles Were Specifically Written For Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton

Jane Fonda had been on board with the film since its conception. The other roles were written with Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton in mind. Tomlin almost turned the movie down due to exhaustion. But her wife said that she would regret it if she did.

6. Dolly Parton Wrote The Film’s Theme Song… With Her Fingernails

Dolly Parton only agreed to do the film if she could write the theme song. When she performed it for the producers, she sang it acapella using her fingernails to imitate the sound of a typewriter. The song earned her an Oscar nomination.

5. The Movie Spawned A Sitcom, A Musical, And Almost Got A Sequel

Did you know the film inspired a sitcom that ran from 1982 to 1988? Don’t feel bad if you didn’t. Not many people did. Dolly Parton’s younger sister Rachel Dennison played Parton’s character from the film. In 2009, the film was turned into a Broadway musical. And in 2012, the studio tried to make a sequel, but it ultimately got canned because they didn’t like the script.

4. Three Of The Film’s Stars Reunite in The Beverly Hillbillies Film Adaptation

In 1993, 20th Century Fox produced a film adaptation of The Beverly Hillbillies. Three actors from 9 to 5 reunited in this nutty comedy. Dabney Coleman played Milburn Drysdale. Lily Tomlin played Miss Jane Hathaway. And Dolly Parton played herself.

3. Dolly Parton’s Wardrobe From The Film Is On Display In Dollywood

Dolly Parton has her own theme park called Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. If you go there you can eat delicious cinnamon bread and ride thrilling coasters. You can also see Dolly Parton’s wardrobe from the set of 9 to 5.

2. Dolly Parton Memorized The Entire Script

We mentioned earlier that this was Dolly Parton’s very first feature film. Though she had been an entertainer most of her life, she did not have much experience with acting. So when she got the role of Doralee Rhodes, she didn’t know that she only had to remember her lines and cues. So she memorized the entire script.

1. Dolly Parton Tells A Dirty Joke In The Bloopers

Like any good screwball comedy, 9 to 5 has a gag reel. And it’s just as endearing as you think it would be. Towards the end of the segment, Dolly Parton coquettishly tells an incredibly dirty joke. I can’t repeat it in this article. But just know that it’s a joke about two very famous muppets.