A town's Sheriff and regular patron of a historical whorehouse fights to keep it running when a television reporter targets it as the Devil's playhouse.
Director:
Colin Higgins
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Burt Reynolds | ... | Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd | |
| Dolly Parton | ... | Mona Stangley | |
| Dom DeLuise | ... | Melvin | |
| Charles Durning | ... | Governor | |
| Jim Nabors | ... | Deputy Fred | |
| Robert Mandan | ... | Senator Wingwood | |
| Lois Nettleton | ... | Dulcie Mae | |
| Theresa Merritt | ... | Jewel | |
| Noah Beery Jr. | ... | Edsel (as Noah Beery) | |
 |
Raleigh Bond | ... | Mayor |
| Barry Corbin | ... | C.J. | |
|
|
Ken Magee | ... | Mansel |
| Mary Jo Catlett | ... | Rita | |
| Mary Louise Wilson | ... | Modene | |
| Howard K. Smith | ... | Howard K. Smith | |
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Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
Founded in 1910 just outside of the city limits of Gilbert located in Lanville County, Texas, the Chicken Ranch has for generations been known as the best little whorehouse in Texas for its wholesome fun, strict moral code, and cleanliness, all perpetuated by its original owner, Miss Wulla Jean. Seven years ago, Miss Wulla Jean died, leaving the Chicken Ranch to her favorite working girl, Miss Mona Stangley, who wants to keep the same traditions of Miss Wulla Jean. The Chicken Ranch has always had the unofficial blessing of the local authorities, who see the ranch providing an important community service, one which most in local authority have used at one time or another in their lives. In fact, Miss Mona and Lanville County Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd have been in a relationship for years, Ed Earl, who is Miss Mona's protector, albeit one with a hot temper and good ol' boy attitude that doesn't exactly match the needs of his law upholding position. That blessing may change when television ... Written by Huggo
Taglines:
With Burt and Dolly this much fun just couldn't be legal!Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
23 July 1982 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
La mejor casita de placer See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$35,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$11,874,268, 25 July 1982Gross USA:
$69,701,637Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$69,701,637Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
4-Track StereoColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
In terms of box-office, this movie was the most successful movie musical of the 1980s. See more »Goofs
During the song "Little Bitty Pissant Country Place", Dolly welcomes some gentleman callers. She says "well howdy boys" and walks towards them smiling. Her mouth is clearly visible and she is not speaking but we hear her saying. "It's good to see you. Nice to meet you." See more »Alternate Versions
The use of the word "Whorehouse" in the title caused controversy. In Canada, TV ads for the film bleeped the word, and in some locales the name of the film was changed to Best Little Cathouse in Texas. Network and non-cable TV versions use a differently edited opening credits sequence to remove nudity and sex. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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5.3?
The problem, I suspect, with this movie is that the wrong people are watching it, and the right aren't.
Let's see, who does this movie offend? Christian fundamentalists, politicians and Texans. I don't know how many of the former are watching it and then rating it (perhaps they just rate first, watch later), but it looks like some Texans don't have a sense of humor.
And then there are Burt Reynolds fans who might be shocked to find this is not a typical Burt Reynolds movie, and hate it. But folks who aren't Burt Reynolds fans will probably enjoy it. Reynolds' excellent acting is natural, understated, and properly nuanced to the scenes. I think Reynolds and Parton are very well cast together and have real chemistry.
As to Dolly Parton, who knows? All I know is you don't have to be a Dolly Parton country music fan to love this movie. My estimation of Ms. Parton went up enormously after first seeing this movie. She is one smart lady and a fine actress.
So, to add it up, if you are not from Texas, not a Bible-thumper, not a politician, not a Burt Reynolds fan and not a Dolly Parton fan, you should definitely watch The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
Oh, and folks expecting porn are going to be disappointed, though there is the briefest of cameos by none other than Kay Parker, dressed. Don't blink. Too bad she didn't get a speaking part. This lady can actually act! I saw her reciting Shakespeare, for some reason I can't recall, in one of her movies, and she was real good.
Watch this movie because it is laugh out loud funny. You need to watch closely at the details because the scenes are beautifully crafted. Watch the one of Dom DeLuise getting dressed in front of Reynolds before going on air. It is hilarious, especially the sock. But the most memorable scene is of "Governor" Charles Durning doing his "Sidestep" number. It is a masterpiece.
It is easy to forget this is a musical, perhaps because the storyline is so strong it could survive as a movie without music. But a musical it is, in the tradition of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Oklahoma! with its masculine cowboy acrobatics dancing, though with an 80s twist, given the locker room dance number.
Thats what makes this movie great: It takes the concept of the musical comedy and brings it out of the Fifties and into the Eighties in a way that is still relevant and pretty outrageous today because of its swipe at hypocrisy. Did I say swipe? Perhaps dagger thrust or kick in the face to hypocrisy would be more accurate. In this regard, The Best Little Whorehouse is hardly subtle.
So perhaps I should add to the list of people who will not like this movie, hypocrites. For them, there is "Hello, Dolly!"