We all know that country singer Dolly Parton is a music legend, but like every icon, she experienced her fair share of bumps in the road to stardom. Dolly's backstory has become an epic in itself, which is why NBC's special "Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors" is so entertaining. But how accurate is "Coat of Many Colors" ? As any country music fan will tell you, Dolly came from humble beginnings, and she channeled her roots into a powerful "rags to rhinestones" narrative, according to her website.
In addition to showcasing her childhood home in Sophora Ridge, Tennessee, as part of the Dollywood Historic Attractions, Parton has written and spoken extensively about growing up in abject poverty. Dolly Parton's "Coat of Many Colors" introduces viewers to young Dolly (played by Alyvia Alyn Lind) and the challenges her family faces in 1955 trials and tribulations. In the made-for-TV movie, fans get an inside look at Dolly's life growing up in what Parton calls "squalid poverty." Although the film has been derided by the likes of Jezebel for downplaying tragedy and poverty, I'm glad to see part of this country legend's history come to life on the small screen.
How realistic is "Coat of Many Colors" ? Let’s delve a little deeper into Dolly’s legendary story.
There are really many colors of coats
The eponymous costume is displayed in a glass case at Dollywood, but looks a little different than the one in the movie. In an interview with Yahoo, costume designer Michael Boyd acknowledged the difference, but said he chose to represent the coat as distinctive because he was trying to see it through "a child's eyes—young Dolly's. eyes – and the love her mother put into making this coat.”
While the coat is named after the biblical story of Joseph and his colorful baubles, Dolly's mother, Ivy Lee, actually made the coat for her daughter out of old rags. How about an upgrade?
Dolly does have such a big family.
A surprising number of relatives in the movie are actually based on reality. According to her website, Dolly was the fourth of twelve children—yes, a dozen—who all lived in a modest home in the Great Smoky Mountains. Her parents, played in the film by country duo Jennifer Nettles (country duo "Sugarland") and Ricky Schroder (former child actor), try to Making ends meet but providing a safe and loving home for their children. Dolly told Parade that although she was poor, her family had "a lot of important things that money couldn't buy anyway."
Her family provided inspiration for her musical leanings
According to her website, Dolly credits her uncle Bill Owens for introducing her to the music industry. In the film, Dolly's performance is encouraged by her family, even as her faith is shaken by the loss of her unborn siblings. This love and support propelled Dolly into the legend she is today.
So, yes, the movie looks pretty accurate!
Photo: Quantrell Colbert/NBCUniversal (4)
