dglink Colorful, tuneful, lively, and, above all, good-natured, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" delivers. While certainly not as good as it could have been, director Colin Higgins adaptation of the Broadway musical hit seldom falters and fondly recreates most of what delighted audiences on stage. Casting Dolly Parton as Miss Mona, the madam of an historic Texas bordello, known as the Chicken Ranch for having accepted poultry in trade during the Great Depression, enhanced the film both visually and musically. While not an actress of great depth, Parton looks the part, does fine in the musical numbers, and penned a couple of additional numbers; one of Parton's songs, "I Will Always Love You," later became an enormous hit, when Whitney Houston covered it, although both the song and Parton were mysteriously ignored by the Motion Picture Academy for a well-deserved Oscar nomination. Burt Reynolds lends his charm to the role of Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd, a likable guy, who enjoys a long-term relationship with Miss Mona and rides to her aid, when the Chicken Ranch is endangered by a TV muckraker, played by Dom DeLuise. Jim Nabors is "aw shucks" Gomer Pyle as the naive deputy, and Charles Durning turns in an inspired song-and-dance routine, "Dance a Little Sidestep," that won him an Oscar nomination.The songs by Carol Hall, most of which were carried over from Broadway, are catchy, and the choreography by Tony Stevens is energetic and infectious, although most of the male dancers seem somewhat disinterested in the charms of the young ladies. William A. Fraker's cinematography is crisp and colorful, and director Colin Higgins keeps the song and dance numbers moving along at a brisk pace. Higgins, who also directed Parton in "Nine to Five," showed a flair for glossy comedy and musicals; sadly, he died at age 47, cutting short a promising career. The film only falters badly during one scene between Parton and Reynolds that takes place under the stars; the semi-serious discussion involves religion and feels forced and out of place. Despite the bawdy title, the film suggests more than it shows; only a few flashes of nudity and some implied sexual situations merited the "R" rating. If a movie about a house of prostitution could be made for a family audience, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" is about as close as possible to that. As one of the songs says, "There's lots of good will and maybe one small thrill, but there's nothing dirty going on." Neither the stage musical nor the film are classics, but both have good music, captivating choreography, and an entertaining story loosely based on true events. Despite losing some songs, the film adaptation benefits from the star power and chemistry of Reynolds and Parton and Higgins's inspired direction. Perhaps most families will pass on any musical with "whorehouse" in the title, but liberal-minded adults will likely have a good time and maybe one small thrill.

bkoganbing The Texas county where Burt Reynolds is sheriff has only one thing that makes it stand out from all the other counties in the state. And I'm not referring to Dolly Parton's 40Ds. It's rather the old and established institution of the Chicken Ranch, The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. Or maybe west of the Mississippi truth be told, if everyone left there as happy as they seem.This film is a real gem, a timely and historical film as well as a fun country musical. The story is a true one, the names changed to protect the innocent as that other American institution used to say. Although few people but Dom DeLuise seem to have their innocence intact in this film.In this county west of Houston for over 100 years servicing the veterans of five wars was the Chicken Ranch, The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas. It's existence was the most open secret in the state and everyone seemed happy with the arrangement. In fact the current owner, Dolly Parton, is a valued member of the community, paying her taxes and giving of money and time to community endeavors. She runs a disease free establishment and insists that of her customers.But this was the time the Moral Majority was flexing it's muscles in the person of Dom DeLuise. He's really quite the scream as the crusading reporter going to close this den of vice and corruption. He stirs up quite the hornet's nest in the state.Best scene of the film is the annual party for the winner of the Texas A&M, University of Texas football game. Those Aggies play hard and plow hard. And that's the night when DeLuise and his television crew decide to pull their own raid. The party is hosted by State Senator Robert Mandan playing the part in his best sanctimonious tradition.Of course he pales beside Charles Durning as the governor of Texas. Durning was nominated for Best Supporting Actor and his political credo of never saying anything is embodied in that wonderful Sidestep number he has. Durning looks like he's having a great old time.Carol Hall wrote the rollicking score for The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas and Dolly Parton also had the good sense to get a couple of her songs interpolated in the film, one of them her beloved I Will Always Love You. For all her good works Dolly is still the Madame of a bordello and that fact prevents her from being taken too seriously by Burt Reynolds as marriage material.I'm sure the film was not a favorite of the late Jerry Falwell, DeLuise lampoons him so viciously. It is an entertaining reminder of times that sad to say haven't gone altogether away.

moonspinner55 Movie-version of the popular stage success (which derived from a factual article in Playboy magazine) about how a Texas bordello was brought down by a crusading TV newsman (in reality, a journalist fighting organized crime, in the film a hypocritical advocate for decency). With Burt Reynolds cast as the local sheriff and madam Dolly Parton as his unspoken lady-love, this seemed to have the right ingredients for a big, raucous musical hit. Alas, there's not an assured, well-directed sequence in the entire picture. Worse, Reynolds is on auto-pilot throughout, easily allowing supporting character players Dom DeLuise, Charles Durning, and even Jim Nabors to show him up something fierce. What's good about this "Whorehouse" is Dolly Parton who, despite not having the training or experience of a skilled comedic actress, brings to the project her sassy personality (which nearly makes the film worth-watching); her honeyed charms, white wigs and frilly outfits not only accentuate her famous curves, they give her (and the film) a welcoming spirit. The script is curiously heavy with dialogue, and one scene outdoors--wherein Burt and Dolly discuss aliens, the Bible, and Dolly's girlhood dreams--seems to ramble on forever. This wouldn't be so noticeable if the musical sequences brought life back into the piece, but each number is rendered flat by the editing, which doesn't allow the film any visual pizazz. Parton is bouncy all on her own, though none of the working girls have the personality Dolly does (the script doesn't give them a chance to be anything but proud prosties, eager to do their thing). The naughty humor is nudging and winking rather than smirking (which is good), and there are some big laughs: DeLuise doing some fancy footwork while on the air, Durning (as the Governor) dancing the "Sidestep", and Jim Nabors saying "sh*t" and "son of a b*tch". The leads don't really get their share of the jokes, and Parton always seems to be playing ringleader (with too many big entrances coming down the stairs). The sentiment at the ending turns the film into a love story (the stage show was a fired-up satire) and Parton's "I Will Always Love You" comes out of nowhere (she sings it to Reynolds, who doesn't hear a word she says!). The movie is a messy jumble of half-assed attempts at comedy, drama, heartbreak, old-fashioned musical (with garters), but hardly any commentary on the situation. Yes, the bordello was a civic-minded, conscientious, tax-paying establishment which did an awful lot for the community, but if prostitution is illegal than they are also law-breakers. There are no songs about that. ** from ****

Larry Weisberg Is it the best musical ever, no... and they cut half the songs from the Broadway Musical. But do you miss "Doasie Mae and her drama and unnecessary b-plot line"? No.Is it the best acted film... no, Burt Reynolds and Jim Nabors are themselves and Dolly is , well... just fabulous Dolly. Charles Durning can't sing and dance, but they adapt to his short comings. See Dom Deluise when he could still walk (and is barely over 200 lbs!). See the hot Aggies and they're too short locker room sequence. The songs are good and catchy, lines of dialogue stick in your head for years to come, and the film will put a smile on your face. If you want two hours of fun, don't miss it.Fun, tuneful, good ol'boy 80's fun. If ya liked the mood "Dallas" (the TV show) puts you in, it's all here. I hadn't seen the film in nearly 20 years... and cannot believe how much I loved it.