The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (film)

Infobox Film
name = The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas


caption = Theatrical release poster
director = Colin Higgins
producer = Colin Higgins
Robert L. Boyett
writer = Colin Higgins
Peter Masterson
starring = Burt Reynolds
Dolly Parton
music = Carol Hall
Patrick Williams
cinematography = William A. Fraker
editing = David Bretherton
distributor = Universal Pictures
RKO Pictures
released = July 23, 1982
runtime = 114 min.
country = flagicon|USA
language = English
budget = $35 million
gross = $69,701,637
imdb_id = 0083642

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a 1982 feature film adaptation of the musical of the same name released by Universal Pictures was written and directed by Colin Higgins. The cast included Dolly Parton, Burt Reynolds, Noah Beery, Jr., Jim Nabors, Charles Durning, Dom DeLuise, Robert Mandan, Lois Nettleton, Theresa Merritt, Barry Corbin, Mary Jo Catlett, and Mary Louise Wilson.

Durning was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Golden Globe nominations went to the film for Best Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical) and Parton for Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical).

Plot

The plot is basically the same as that of the stage production, with one significant difference. In the original, Ed Earl and Miss Mona had a one-night stand (which the sheriff has forgotten) fifteen years earlier, but in the film they maintain an ongoing affair. Their relationship in the film brings about not only the (added) accusatory scene, when the sheriff—disappointed that Mona has broken her promise (likewise added) to close the Chicken Ranch down long enough for things to cool off—calls her a whore, but also the happy ending at the very end, when he proposes marriage to Mona (which she accepts), even though that might endanger his chances to be elected as a state legislator (he is elected anyway). A sub-plot involving Angel and Shy (newly arriving workers at the Chicken Ranch) was deleted from the film.

The Broadway score was embellished with two songs written by Parton, "Sneakin' Around" and a two-stanza version of the popular hit "I Will Always Love You".

The house used in the film is located at Universal Studios in Hollywood and can be viewed as part of the backlot tram tour. This house was also seen in the Ghost Whisperer episode "The Lost Boys". The inspiration for the set came from a real house located outside Austin, Texas, which is featured in scenes from the movie [http://www.thestudiotour.com/ush/backlot/chickenranch.shtml] .

The role of Melvin P. Thorpe (portrayed by Dom DeLuise) is based on real-life, eccentric news personality Marvin Zindler, a long-time consumer reporter for Houston's KTRK TV station.

Cast

*Burt Reynolds as Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd
*Dolly Parton as Mona Stangley
*Dom DeLuise as Melvin P. Thorpe
*Charles Durning as The Governor
*Jim Nabors as Deputy Fred
*Lois Nettleton as Dulcie Mae
*Robert Mandan as Sen. Charles Wingwood
*Barry Corbin as C.J.
*Mary Jo Catlett as Rita Crowell
*Mary Louise Wilson as Miss Modene
*Howard K. Smith as Himself

Film censorship

The film version presented some difficulties for Universal, particularly with advertising for the film. In 1982, the word whorehouse was considered obscene in parts of the United States, resulting in the film being renamed "The Best Little Cathouse in Texas" in some print ads, while television ads were either banned outright in some areas, or the offending word was censored. During interviews, Parton sometimes referred to the film as "The Best Little Chicken House in Texas".

The film seems to bow to then-current racial attitudes by showing the sole black football player dancing with the sole black prostitute.

Trivia

* Other people that were up for Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton's roles in the film included Willie Nelson for the role of Ed Earl Dodd and Barbara Mandrell and Crystal Gayle for the role Miss Mona Stangley.
* The exterior of the Chicken Ranch was erected on the Universal lot where the Bates house from "Psycho" originally stood. The Bates house was moved to a more permanent location when filming began on "Psycho II".
* In terms of box-office, "The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas" was the most successful movie-musical of the 1980's.
* The film went over budget because of the various production problems. Several directors came and went, the script was always being rewritten and Dolly Parton wrote several more songs than were eventually included.
* The Chicken Ranch house went on to be the Firefly residence in "House of 1000 Corpses".

Discography

*"The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas": Music from the original motion picture soundtrack. Audio CD. MCA, 1987. MCAD-31007

Bibliography

*Hall, Carol. Vocal selections from "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas". Melville, N.Y.: MCA Music, 1979.
*King, Larry L. and Masterson, Peter. "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas". Music and lyrics by Carol Hall. "French's Musical Library." New York, N.Y.: S. French, 1978. ISBN 0-573-68111-2
*King, Larry L. "The Whorehouse Papers." New York: Viking Press, 1982. ISBN 0-670-15919-0

External links

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