Dolly stars as Lorna Davis in the made-for-television movie "A Smoky Mountain Christmas" that aired on Dec. 14, 1986. In the fantasy film directed by Henry Winkler and co-starring Lee Majors, Dolly plays a famous country singer on a trip through the Tennessee mountains where she encounters a reclusive backwoodsman and a witch.
In 1984, Dolly Parton starred alongside of Kenny Rogers in "Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas To Remember," a network television special inspired by "Once Upon A Christmas," a popular Christmas album recorded by Dolly and Kenny Rogers.
The film stars Dolly and Sylvester Stallone and takes place in both New York City and Tennessee. Dolly played a country music star who, on a bet, must transform an obnoxious New York City cab driver, played by Stallone, into a singer. Though Dolly has stated her work on the soundtrack is some of her best, the film wasn't as successful critically or commercially as her previous films.
In 1982, Dolly starred alongside Burt Reynolds in the American musical comedy film, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." The film revolves around a sheriff, played by Burt Reynolds, and a regular patron who fights to keep a historical whorehouse open when a television preacher targets it as the devil’s playhouse.
The film was Dolly’s second appearance in a major theatrical release, her first being "9 to 5." The film was successfully positioned as a star vehicle for Dolly and Burt Reynolds.
With a budget of $35 million and gross box office sales of $69 million, the film was a huge success. It earned Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture in a Comedy or Musical and Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical for Dolly.
The song appears on her album, "9 to 5 and Odd Jobs." It is based on the film of the same name in which Dolly starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. Dolly explained in her Rolling Stone interview why she accepted the role that inspired the hit song,
"'Nine to Five' fascinated me, and I knew instantly that I should do it – I knew that it was a career move. And it fell together really well – just according to my lists."
Dolly was unable to attend the awards show. Her "9 to 5" co-star, Dabney Coleman, accepted the award on her behalf and Ann Jillian performed the song.
The 7th Annual People's Choice Awards were held at the Desilu TV studios in Los Angeles, California on, March 9, 1981. The show was broadcast on CBS.
