The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (DVD, 2003)

"Movie Description
Reynolds is the local sheriff who is more interested in keeping the town's most popular business open than carrying out the letter of the law. Parton is the whorehouse madame who also happens to hold the sheriff's interest. Academy Award Nominations: Best Supporting Actor--Charles Durning.
Credits
Cast: Barry Corbin, Burt Reynolds, Dolly Parton, Jim Nabors, Lois Nettleton, Noah Beery Jr., Robert Mandan, Theresa Merritt"

Love this film, the singing, the plot, the humor!
Plus, Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds play opposites! Dolly the law breaking hussy and Burt the Law enforcing man! I bought this as a gift for someone and I've watched it numerous times! Hilarious and timeless! Worth buying and owning for your collection!

Go make some popcorn and enjoy the flick!
;D

From 1978-1982 "Best Little Whorehouse," was a surprising Broadway musical.
The plot is based on a true story. Marvin Zindler (who inspired Dom DeLuise's character "Melvin P. Thorpe"), was an investigative reporter with an ABC affiliate KTRK-TV in Houston. In 1973, Zindler's investigation shut down the "Chicken Ranch" brothel in LaGrange, Texas.

Only 5 years later, the sordid story was made into a Broadway hit starring Dolly Parton (Madam, Miss Mona Stangley & Burt Reynolds (Sherrif, Ed Earl Dodd).

The movie was nominated in 1983 for a Golden Globe award as Best Motion Picture: Comedy/Musical. Dolly Parton was also nominated for Best Actress: Comedy/Musical. Charles Durning (as Texas governor) was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

People can't help themselves from liking Miss Mona, Madam of the whorehouse. She's not a typical Madam. Instead, she's a a bubbly, straight-talking, generous, sweet heart of a lady. Local charities & other goodly causes depend upon her financial contributions! "Well, I always just thought if you see somebody without a smile, give 'em yours!" is her life's philosophy.

Dolly Parton is both a singer and the songwriter. She makes her entrance singing "Lil' Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place" ("where there's nothing dirty goin' on") as she struts downstairs in a knockout bright red dress. Throughout the film, Miss Mona's fiery temper & gentle heartedness create wonderfully human reality-checking moments. Parton also contributed 2 original songs to the movie: "I Will Always Love You," which was released in 1974, became the theme love song of the show. Her 2nd song is "Sneakin' Around," a light-hearted duet with Reynolds.

Burt Reynolds plays the smart alec character to his following. Reynolds as a sheriff is ironic, in & of itself, since in many of his films he's the one fleeing from the law. Sherrif Ed Earl Dodd has the most cutting, funny lines, as he profusely cusses totally out of character for a sherrif. His arm-chair philosophizing highlights his lack of intelligence. This sherrif defiantly defends the Madam of the whorehouse.

Dom DeLuise brilliantly plays Melvin P. Thorpe (Zindler, the reporter) corset, packed crotch & all with on point comedic timing. "Watchdog Report/Texas Has a Whorehouse in It" is a the right song & dance number for him.

The opening line of the film is narrated by none other than Jim Nabors who sounds like he's just come from the Andy Griffith set saying, "It was the nicest little whorehouse you ever saw!" As Deputy Fred, Nabors narrates the entire show.

Last but certainly not least, is Charles Durning as the governor of Texas putting on an Oscar winning supporting actor performance. His singing & dancing in "The Sidestep" is amazing. He's the governor who knows all about the whorehouse but turns blindered eyes & deafened ears of justice!

The "girls" of the whorehouse dance with the men who frequent the establishment to make up the chorus & chorus line. As Jim Nabors says about the undies the sherrif gives to the Madam, they dance in "nothin' more than a sling shot!" That's the scandalous part about the show. The choreography is hot, the half naked bodies of professional dancers are infinitely hotter. Their dance costumes reveal an abundance of sumptuous flesh. However, Parton's
exactly right, even though they are partly nude, the choreographed dance moves are not "dirty." They're Texan, country & a delight to watch.

It has been years since I have seen The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas then a friend mentioned it. I wanted to see it again so I started looking for it at the local video stores with no luck. After trying to find it on line no luck again. I checked Ebay from time to time and was lucky enough to get one of the rare Region 1 copies for a good price. Needless to say it was all worth it because even if you are not a fan of musicals it is a funny and cute true story. The cast is great and the story holds interest even today and if you like musicals thats the plus. The sad thing is it is no longer in print and is VERY hard to come by. If you do have a chance to get it then snap it up. Beware that you don't buy one of the cheaper ones because they are from Australia and are Region 2 and in most cases may not work in American Region 1 players.

Slowly over the years I have been replacing video tapes with DVD. It's a long process, and hopefully the last format change I'll have to make. Best Little Whorehouse was always a favorite, and I had not seen it in over 10 years. The price on this was right, so I added it to the collection.

I had forgotten what a wonderful movie this is. Dolly Parton, of course is a bit "fuller" in the figure, but her and Burt Reynolds are really at their best. The late Dom Delouise is also a hoot as the "bad guy." Charles Durning also shines in this tale, and the music is quite nice. Not Sondheim by any means, but nice tunes, and a cute story.

The digital widescreen re-master is also of excellent quality. If you want a fun musical, then this is the movie for you, and bargain priced to boot!

This movie is one of the best movies for ribald comedy that I have seen in a long time. It is a ribald musical if you want to call it that. It has an all star cast including Charles Durning as the slippery governor, Burt Reynolds as the sherriff, Jiom Nabors as the Deputy, narrator. Dolly Parton as the Madam, and Dom deluise as the sock stuffing sensationalizing reporter. It is not a movie for kids or those that cannot handle a little nudity but no onethat i have watched it with has hated it including my mother.