The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

R

1982

1h 54m

Musical

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

52%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Miss Mona (Dolly Parton) runs the Chicken Ranch, a brothel with a long history in a small Texas town. The locals have a good relationship with the institution, and Mona is respected in the community. The sheriff, Ed Earl Dodd (Burt Reynolds), also looks out for the Chicken Ranch due to his past with Miss Mona. However, when pious reporter Melvin Thorpe (Dom DeLuise) exposes the brothel, outside interests want it shut down, putting the governor (Charles Durning) in a tough spot.

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Critics Consensus

It has its moments -- and a couple of appealing stars -- but this misguided movie musical largely lacks the crowd-pleasing appeal of the stage version.

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Jack Mathews

Detroit Free Press

12/31/2023

6/10

"The Best Little Whorehouse" is, in spots at least, a romping musical good time.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

12/31/2023

2.5/4

Mild entertainment but somewhat disappointing.

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Michael Blowen

Boston Globe

12/31/2023

The producers have transformed a gentle, well-meaning, satirical Broadway musical into a parody of itself.

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Frank J. Avella

The Contending

Oct 21

B-

Higgins allows for way too much improvisation from Reynolds and Parton, especially in a cringy fishing scene...highlights include Parton’s fab entrance with “A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place,”/...and the homoerotic football number, “The Aggie Song.”

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

11/23/2024

3/4

It’s a movie that never fails to entertain me, with its bright performances, amusing musical numbers, and a soundtrack that still has a place in my CD collection.

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Jessica Baxter

jessicabaxter.com

06/07/2024

There are, of course, some Hot Probs, but Dolly ain't one. Our National Treasure holds the floor, and even sneaks in her own song to round out the catchy soundtrack.

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Dawn Dalton

3d

The BEST MOVIE!!! It was such an experience. Everyone laughed, cried, and came together over Dolly. I hope you play this every year. I saw it with my daughter. RIP Dolly!

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K

4d

I’ve loved this movie since I was a kid. I cherish it even more today.

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Ray M

5d

Great seeing this on the big screen. Seen it on tv a bunch of times. Equally as great that everyone was into it. Applause after songs and at the end of the movie. Like none of us ever saw this before! Great time.

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Augusta Z

@Augie243 18h

Dolly is an absolute hoot. Her costumes are fabulous. The songs are good. The chemistry between Dolly and Burt Reynolds is superb. But the pacing isn't perfect, and the plot becomes old and boring fast. It just seems to lose focus and make it up as it goes along.

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Bonnie McInerny

1d

This is a gem ..they don’t make them this way anymore

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CL C

@CampFire1968 1d

Such a fun movie, with original Broadway tunes and some added Dolly songs. Convincing chemistry between Dolly and Burt, a great all-male dance number, and I love that song and dance number from Charles Durning that earned him an Oscar nom. (Most of this movie is based on facts, back when Texas was more fun).

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Colin Higgins

Director

Burt Reynolds

Sheriff

Dolly Parton

Mona Stangley

Dom DeLuise

Melvin

Charles Durning

Governor

Jim Nabors

Deputy Fred

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: Official Clip - Watchdog Report

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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: Official Clip - Hard Candy Christmas

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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: Official Clip - Chicken Ranch Raid

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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: Official Clip - The Aggie Song

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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: Official Clip - A Lil' Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place

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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: Official Clip - 20 Fans

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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: Official Clip - Courtyard Shag

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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: Official Clip - I Will Always Love You

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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: Official Clip - Sneakin' Around With You

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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: Official Clip - Sidestep

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Synopsis

Miss Mona (Dolly Parton) runs the Chicken Ranch, a brothel with a long history in a small Texas town. The locals have a good relationship with the institution, and Mona is respected in the community. The sheriff, Ed Earl Dodd (Burt Reynolds), also looks out for the Chicken Ranch due to his past with Miss Mona. However, when pious reporter Melvin Thorpe (Dom DeLuise) exposes the brothel, outside interests want it shut down, putting the governor (Charles Durning) in a tough spot.

Director: Colin Higgins
Producer: Thomas L. Miller, Edward K. Milkis, Robert L. Boyett
Screenwriter: Colin Higgins, Peter Masterson, Larry L. King
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: RKO Pictures, Miller-Milkis-Boyett Productions, Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Musical, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 23, 1982, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 8, 2015
Runtime: 1h 54m

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