IMDb > The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) More at IMDbPro »

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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982) -- Town Sherif and regular patron, fights to keep a historical whorehouse open when a TV preacher targets it as the Devils playhouse.

Overview

User Rating:
5.3/10   3,643 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 31% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Colin Higgins
Writers:
Larry L. King (magazine article)
Larry L. King (musical) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 July 1982 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Musical more
Tagline:
With Burt and Dolly this much fun just couldn't be legal!
Plot:
Town Sheriff and regular patron, fights to keep a historical whorehouse open when a TV preacher targets it as the Devils playhouse. | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(6 articles)
Free Flick of the Day: The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
 (From Cinematical. 21 October 2009, 2:32 PM, PDT)

Comedian Dom DeLuise Dies
 (From PEOPLE.com. 5 May 2009, 9:15 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Sadly forgotten more (34 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Best Little Cathouse in Texas (Canada: English title) (bowdlerized title)
more
Runtime:
114 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
4-Track Stereo
Certification:
Peru:14 | South Korea:18 | Australia:M | 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 more
Company:
RKO Pictures more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Marvin Zindler, on which Melvin P. Thorpe is based, liked the play but didn't like the film. Zindler said that his crusade against the Chicken Ranch has been taken out of context. He wasn't trying to get it closed down because of the prostitution, but because of the Ranch's reported ties to organized crime and other shady business dealings. more
Goofs:
Continuity: At the very end of the movie, after Dolly sings "I Will Always Love You," Ed Earl marches out to the U-Haul and, informed by Mona's assistant, throws Mona's suitcases into the back of his Chevy truck. He then picks Mona up and carries her to the truck. In the closing scene, as the truck pulls out, the bed is empty - none of the suitcases he threw in are there. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Deputy Fred: It was the nicest little whorehouse you ever saw!
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Joan Rivers/Musical Youth (#8.17)" (1983) more
Soundtrack:
20 Fans more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
17 out of 21 people found the following comment useful.
Sadly forgotten, 8 April 2002
9/10
Author: Wayne Malin (wwaayynnee51@hotmail.com) from United States

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!

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
should've been nominated for more oscars wobber1012
Does this movie take place in the 1950s? wtl471629
Am I the only one who was a bit disappointed in the ending? eamon2003
disappointing the second time around hannahp1
Dolly or Whitney? El_Guapo1976
Texas A+M references belaglik
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