The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: Special Edition

The Chicken Ranch, a bordello that’s been around for generations, since as far back as anyone in town can remember, is an open secret amongst the locals, including law enforcement. The way they see it, they ain’t doin’ no one no harm, no how. Sometimes the best thing to do is to look the other way. That’s how Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd (Burt Reynolds) sees it, anyway. It keeps the menfolk of Gilbert, TX, well-behaved, since they have an outlet for their sexual frustrations, and they bring in money from the visitors all over the state who come flashing a big wad of cash.

Sheriff Ed Earl is in a relationship with the madam of the Chicken Ranch, Miss Mona (Dolly Parton). That’s probably another reason why he’s so willing to look the other way. The delicate truce between law enforcement and the brothel comes to a head when TV personality and so-called “journalist” Melvin P. Thorpe (Dom DeLuise) exposes the activities of the Chicken Ranch, along with the deliberate inaction of the Sheriff. He forces the hand of the political machine to do something about this den of iniquity, once and for all.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a brightly colored musical comedy, a fictionalized account of the real-life Chicken Ranch, which was closed down after nearly 70 years of operation. It’s also based on a successful stage production. The film adaptation was co-written and directed by Colin Higgins (Foul Play, 9 to 5). Higgins, I believe, was a gifted storyteller, but if he has a failing, it’s that he gets so wrapped up in his stories, he forgets to give them a certain oomph. The Best Little Whorehouse is a damned pleasant movie, so charming and quaint and folksy, it often forgets to be funny and coasts on its charms. I feel like this is pretty common among his films as a director. At nearly two hours in length, it’s too long by about half an hour.

Still, when the movie is good, it’s very good. We have some terrific Dolly Parton songs in there, and a fun song and dance routine from Charles Durning as a do-nothing, look-the-other-way politician. Most importantly, Reynolds and Parton have a palpable chemistry together. I don’t necessarily buy them as a romantic couple, but as a comedic duo, they have great timing together. They even share a silly, quieter moment together as they riff on their theological beliefs, and there’s a sweetness to it that carries throughout the entire picture.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas isn’t entirely successful, but it’s mostly successful. It’s a charming musical with likeable characters and some catchy songs. And the whole thing is narrated by Jim Nabors, doing a variation on his Gomer Pyle character. What more could you want?

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas invites y’all over for an evening on Blu-ray in a single-disc release from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. The disc is housed in a standard case with a removable slip. The case contains reversible cover art—both sides are about the same, but the alternate artwork has Dolly Parton wearing a more Mae West-inspired outfit.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is presented in 1080p high-definition video, sourced from a 2K scan of the 35mm interpositive. The results across the board are pretty spectacular. The lavish colors, the elaborate sets, the intricate costumes, they all evoke a kind of homage to the grand 1940s Technicolor musicals from MGM. Cinematographer William A. Fraker, who’s lensed everything from Rosemary’s Baby to Tombstone, knows how to set a tone for a genre. If it’s a horror movie, you’ll see exaggerated shadows and deep, saturated greens. If it’s a western, it’s going to be orange and brown, dry as a bone. And here, a lively musical, the focus is a little softer, the lights a little brighter, and everything joyously silly. The video presentation is sharp and clear, with a fine layer of organic film grain throughout.

Like most releases from KLSC, The Best Little Whorehouse comes with two audio options: A 2.0 stereo mix and a 5.1 surround mix, both encoded in DTS-HD MA. Both options are winners. The stereo option, for you audio purists out there, is balanced well between the songs, the dialogue, and all the mayhem in between. The 5.1 mix is pretty front-heavy, more of a widened version of the stereo option, although the rear speakers do see activity from the musical score. Songs and performances echo to the rear of the soundstage, a sort of spill-over effect I appreciated.

Special features for The Best Little Whorehouse are a bit limited, but that’s okay. Like my mama always said, beggars can’t be choosers, now can they? The features that are included are great, including a pair of audio commentaries and a vintage making-of featurette. There are also outtakes and trailers.

• Audio Commentary – Film historians Paul Anthony Nelson and Perri Cummings
• Audio Commentary – Entertainment journalists/authors Bryan Reeseman and Max Every
• The Making of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (SD 7:18)
• Outtakes (SD 4:06)
• Trailers

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a fun, slight musical that never takes itself too seriously, and knows exactly what kind of picture it is. It’s a movie that’s charming and entertaining enough that, if you let it, it might just help you turn off your brain for a while. Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton are great onscreen together, but there are no slouches in this cast. Everyone gives it their all. And Kino Lorber, too, gives it their all on their video restoration and audio options, along with some fine supplemental feature offerings. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas on Blu-ray from KSLC is Recommended.