{excerpted from an article in Mental Floss online}
Whether you think of it as a statement on female empowerment or simply a fun workplace comedy, the 1980 hit 9 to 5 which featured Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton as a trio of secretaries who turn the tables on their “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot” boss (Dabney Coleman) is a bona fide comedy classic. In honor of its 35th anniversary, here are 14 things you might not know about the Oscar-nominated film.
1. THE CONCEPT BEGAN WITH JANE FONDA.
9 to 5 was produced by Jane Fonda’s company, IPC Films, and the idea originated from a real-life organization. My ideas for films always come from things that I hear and perceive in my daily life, Fonda told The Canberra Times in 1981. In that case, a very old friend of mine had started an organization in Boston called ‘Nine To Five,’ which was an association of women office workers. I heard them talking about their work and they had some great stories. And I’ve always been attracted to those 1940s films with three female stars.
2. IT WAS ORIGINALLY INTENDED TO BE A DRAMA.
3. LILY TOMLIN INITIALLY TURNED DOWN THE ROLE.
Though the role of Violet Newstead was written specifically for Tomlin, the legendary actress and comedian turned down the part when it was first offered to her. I was shooting The Incredible Shrinking Woman and I was so overworked, Tomlin explained to the Evening Times. I’d worked for seven months on that movie, so I was ready to just shut my eyes to anything else. But then, My partner Jane said to me, This is the biggest mistake of your life.’ She said, You’ve got to get on the phone and tell Jane Fonda you want to take back the resignation ¦ And I am grateful that I did it. They became two of my good friends, you know.
4. IT WAS DOLLY PARTON’S MOVIE DEBUT.
When 9 to 5 premiered on December 19, 1980, Dolly Parton was already a major country music star, but she was a Hollywood newcomer. In a 1980 interview with Today, Fonda shared that when the film’s tone shifted from drama to comedy, the idea of casting Parton arose. And part of what made her perfect for the role was her music. But particularly the songs that she writes she’s a great songwriter and the songs have a kind of depth and humanity that made me feel that she could act.
5. IT WAS THE SECOND HIGHEST GROSSING MOVIE OF 1980.
The workplace comedy was a hit with audiences, earning more than $100 million at the box office a grand total that made it the second biggest hit of 1980 (only The Empire Strikes Back made more).
6. IT WAS ALSO TURNED INTO A BROADWAY MUSICAL.
On April 7, 2009 nearly 30 years after the film’s release 9 to 5 made its debut as a Broadway musical. Allison Janney played Tomlin’s part, Stephanie J. Block took over for Fonda, and Megan Hilty filled Parton’s shoes. The show closed five months later.
7. PARTON’S FINGERNAILS MADE A CAMEO IN THE SONG.
During a 2009 appearance on The View, Parton shared that she composed the song using her fingernails, which to the singer-songwriter sounded like a typewriter. In the final version of the song, you can hear her acrylic fingernails as part of the percussion section.
