The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Review by Jason Donner
Texas has a whorehouse in it! Lord have mercy on our souls!
In perhaps the greatest musical about a brothel ever made (and that
includes Moulin Rouge), Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds team up
to fight the onset of forced moral values and witch hunts by the
holier-than-thou holy rollers in the toe-tapping, pants-dropping
comedy, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, based on
the popular stage musical.
Perhaps one of
the greatest tragedies of my life occurred in the Summer of 2000 when
the director at a local theater called me up and asked me to cameo in
their production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas as one
of the Aggie boys. It was a dream come true for me… a part in one of
my favorite musicals (I was too young to audition for any of the major
roles) and minimum rehearsals. Yeah, I would have to go on stage in
the buff, but it’s not like I’ve never done that before (of course,
that first time was an accident during Annie and a completely
different story).
I had to decline, though, because I was scheduled for a hospital stay
and operation during the exact time the play would have been
performing. To this day I regret having to bow out of the production
because it’s one of my favorites. One of my favorite movies as well.
So, imagine my delight when I found a copy of The Best Little
Whorehouse in Texas on DVD. I was elated and, as a matter of fact,
it served as the Genesis of musical month on this website.
You wouldn’t expect it to be, but this movie is layered. Not only is
it the naughty story of a Texas cathouse, but also a story of
misguided moral crusades and changes to society.
Dolly Parton plays the madam of the whorehouse (called the Chicken
Ranch. Why? Where else could you get better thighs, legs, or breasts?)
and Burt Reynolds plays the town sheriff Ed Earl. You have to realize,
though, that this was back when Burt Reynolds actually mattered. All
kidding aside, both players were in their prime and perfect for the
part.
Also perfect for his part is Dom DeLuise as the “Watchdog” Melvin P.
Thorpe… a cross between a televangelist and a bloodhound who tracks
down scandals throughout the great state of Texas and shines a
television spot-light on them until they have disappeared.
Of course, he sets his beady sights on The Chicken Ranch and soon, the
fight is on and all hell is breaking loose.
This movie is a scream. It’s a little sweet and a little dirty at the
same time. The songs are quick, snappy, and memorable and there are
enough laughs to keep even the most prudish of viewers interested
until the end. If that’s not enough, Jim Neighbors… That’s right
folks, Gomer Pyle. Yep, he’s in it. And he cusses.
Beautiful women, rampant sex, and some great performances from
yesterday’s biggest stars, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
a great place to visit to get a thrill or two or three… but there’s
nothin’ dirty going on!