Dolly Parton Became an Illinois Radio Star on the Big Screen

One of the random movies I enjoyed watching when I was growing up starred Dolly Parton as a radio show host in Chicago in "Straight Talk."

In the 1992 romantic comedy set in downtown Chicago, Parton played Shirlee Kenyon, a small-town woman who moves to the big city and accidentally ends up behind a radio microphone, giving relationship advice to callers.

The "Doctor" Was Part of the Movie's Plot

There is an important catch to this plot: Parton's character was not actually a therapist or psychologist. Shirlee is mistakenly identified as a newly hired call-in therapist, and the radio station actually encourages her to pretend she's a real doctor.

It isn't long before she's a radio star in Chicago, giving straightforward, homespun advice to listeners, before the lies eventually catch up with her.

In case you haven't watched it yet, I won't give any more spoilers, but here is the full movie:

Illinois Played a Major Role in Dolly Parton Movie

Production for the movie "Straight Talk" primarily took place in Chicago, including the Wabash Avenue Bridge, at the WLS-TV studios, and at a location on North Lincoln Avenue.

Other Chicago landmarks are featured, including the Field Museum, while much of the filming occurred in downtown Lemont, according to IMDB.