The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Colin Higgins

Writers:

Larry L. King (magazine article)
Larry L. King (musical) ...

Release Date:

23 July 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical

Tagline:

With Burt and Dolly this much fun just couldn't be legal!

Plot:

Town Sherif and regular patron, fights to keep a historical whorehouse open when a TV preacher targets it as the Devils playhouse. |

Plot Keywords:

Sheriff | College Football | Crusader | College Students | Madame

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 nominations

Cast

Burt Reynolds	...	Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd
Dolly Parton	...	Mona Stangley
Dom DeLuise	...	Melvin P. Thorpe
Charles Durning	...	Governor
Jim Nabors	...	Deputy Fred
Robert Mandan	...	Senator Charles Wingwood
Lois Nettleton	...	Dulcie Mae
Theresa Merritt	...	Jewel
Noah Beery Jr.	...	Edsel
Barry Corbin	...	C.J.
Ken Magee	...	Mansel
Mary Jo Catlett	...	Rita Crowell
Mary Louise Wilson	...	Miss Modene
Howard K. Smith	...	Himself
Gail Benedict	...	Chicken Ranch Girl

Also Known As:

The Best Little Cathouse in Texas (Canada: English title) (bowdlerized title)

Runtime:

114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Certification:

Peru:14 | South Korea:18 | Argentina:13 | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) (DVD rating) | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | Canada:R (Nova Scotia) (original rating) | Singapore:(Banned)

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

RKO Pictures

Trivia:

This was based upon a true story in which investigative reporter Marvin Zindler (who inspired Dom DeLuise's "Melvin P. Thorpe" character) closed down the "Chicken Ranch" brothel in LaGrange, Texas, in 1973. Zindler remained with ABC affiliate KTRK-TV in Houston until his death in 2007.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Sheriff Dodd punches Melvin P. Thorpe and sends him sliding across the floor, Thorpe slides across a design in the floor and stops with his head and shoulders outside the design. The following aerial shot shows him with his head centered perfectly in the middle of the design.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Deputy Fred: It was the nicest little whorehouse you ever saw!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Screamtime (1983)

Soundtrack:

The Sidestep

Sadly forgotten

Big, splashy, fun musical about a whorehouse (the Chicken Ranch) in Texas run by Miss Mona (Dolly Parton). She's in love with the sheriff (Burt Reynolds) and the town has no problem with the house. Then a sleazy TV showman (Dom DeLuise) exposes the ranch and all hell breaks lose.

This was a huge bomb in 1982 for some reason. It's full of energy and enthusiasm, has great songs and some fantastic all out production numbers. Reynolds is just OK but Parton is an absolute joy--she gives one of her best performances and even sings "I Will Always Love You" (I prefer Whitney's version). Also there is equal amounts of male and female nudity and has a healthy attitude about sex (this was made before AIDS was well-known about). And Charles Durning stops the show with his "sidestepping" number...he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for this. This should never have bombed--maybe the title scared people away.

Only complaint is the ending. It's way too serious and realistic--I wish they had opted for a fairy tale like ending. Also Lois nettleton's subplot is seriously underdeveloped--I assume it was shot but cut out for the running time.

See it and enjoy!