The article ranks five of Dolly Parton’s best film and television performances, arguing that her screen appeal comes from the combination of glamour, humour, warmth and sharp intelligence beneath her larger-than-life image. It highlights how her strongest roles allow her to play underestimated women who are compassionate, resilient and capable of standing up to hypocrisy.

The selection includes *Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings*, whose eight episodes adapt songs such as “Jolene”, “Two Doors Down” and “These Old Bones” into stories about relationships, family and prejudice; *Straight Talk*, in which Parton plays an accidentally recruited radio agony aunt; and *The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas*, where she portrays brothel owner Mona Stangley in a bawdy musical comedy. The article praises Parton’s natural screen presence, while acknowledging that the quality of the projects varies.