Dolly Parton’s sparky wit and bubbly down-to-earth personality made her a natural for the role of beauty salon owner Truvy Jones in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias. The film, about women whose close friendship helps them through grief, became Dolly’s most memorable screen role. It also starred Shirley MacLaine, Julia Roberts, Daryl Hannah, Sally Field and Olympia Dukakis.
Only Dolly and Daryl Hannah did not win Oscars for it. But Dolly, the warm-hearted salon owner, made audiences laugh with a string of one-liners. Here are some of the best, according to imdb.com: “Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.” “There’s so much static electricity in this room, I pick up everything but boys and money.” “Honey, time marches on and eventually you realise it is marchin’ across your face.” “Louie brought his new girlfriend over, and the nicest thing I can say about her is all her tattoos are spelled correctly.” “I don’t like her.
I don't trust anyone who does their own hair. I don’t think it’s natural.” “I'm just screamin’ at my husband; I can do that any time!” “Oh, honey, God don’t care which church you go, long as you show up!” “When it comes to pain and suffering, she's right up there with Elizabeth Taylor.” “Got me, maybe she was praying for Marshall and Drew and Bell. My she was praying for us cause we was gossipin’.
Maybe she was praying because the elastic is shot in her pantyhose. Who knows – she prays at the drop of a hat these days.” “Oh sweetheart don't. Please don't cry or I will too.
I have a strict policy that nobody cries alone in my presence.” IMDB also reports that after a poor take, director Herbert Ross reprimanded Dolly and asked her whether she could act. She replied: “No, but it’s your job to make me look like I can.” When Julia Roberts was promoting the film, she reportedly told Oprah Winfrey how hot it was while filming in Louisiana but that Dolly never complained. She urged her co-star, who had on woollen clothes and a wig, to have a grumble about the heat.
She said: “I remember we were sitting on the porch, and she said to me, ‘When I was a little girl, I wanted to be famous, and I wanted to be rich, and now I’m both of these things, I’m not going to complain about it’.” On hearing the news of Dolly Parton’s death, Roberts said: “Dolly was a magical and joyous human. I hold knowing her as a treasure in my life. The sun has dimmed today.” Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
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