The Next Reel Film Podcast

Does this film feel dated or does it hold up today as much as it did 40 years ago? How well does Dolly Parton do in her first acting performance? Are Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Parton an example of a perfect on-screen trio? Tune in to this week’s show to get these answers and more!

Show Notes

When Jane Fonda and her producing partner Bruce Gilbert brought Colin Higgins on to rewrite Patricia Resnick’s workplace drama, they knew they were going to shift the story to a comedy instead. They also knew that Higgins would flesh out the three female protagonists at the core of the story. What they also got was an incredibly well-structured script that was full of wild humor while also keeping the characters honest and grounded. Considering these were features that Higgins consistently wrote into his scripts, it really didn’t come as a surprise, but what did surprise everyone is how much audiences connected to this story. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Colin Higgins series with his 1980 comedy classic Nine to Five.

We talk about how smart this script was for its time and how sadly relevant it is today still. We look at Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton and chat about how perfect they are as an on-screen trio. We look at the perfect Dabney Coleman as their nemesis and chat about the awful crimes he commits in the workplace, and how it’s viewed through today’s eyes. We discuss how Parton’s title song became such an iconic anthem for a cultural movement at the time. And we look at elements in the film that we can point to that define Higgins’ style of storytelling (not to mention his love for comedy tropes).

It’s an absolute comedy classic that everyone should see, so stop what you’re doing, watch it, then tune in to this week’s show. The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins.

Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!

Film Sundries

Thank you for supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast on Patreon!


Support The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:
The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:
Connect With Us:
Shop & Stream:

Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.