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

50%

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30 Reviews

69%

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

Dec 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

Dec 31, 2023

2.5/4

Mild entertainment but somewhat disappointing.

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Michael Blowen

Boston Globe

Dec 31, 2023

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

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Barbara Shulgasser

Common Sense Media

1 day ago

2/5

This film is a strange artifact from a time that was in some ways more judgmental and in other ways less judgmental than the times we live in now.

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Frank J. Avella

The Contending

Oct 21, 2025

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

Nov 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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Krystle

1 day ago

It’s Dolly Parton, her boobies, and Bert Reynolds… what more do you need

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John G

6 days ago

Ok, forgot it was a musical but seriously, Burt, Dolly, Dom and Jim Nabors……. How do you go wrong??

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Virginia B

Sep 6, 2026

For folks who were around when Burt Reynolds was at the top of his game, this is a must see. Took me way back to a time where whenever he was in a movie I would go and see it in the theater. Although I had seen it when it first came out I really didn’t have any memory of the entire movie so it was like I was watching it for the first time. I liked it more than I thought I would because it really did have the feel of a Broadway musical and if you look at it with that point of view, it’s a very entertaining and fun film to see. Dolly Parton’s costumes were stellar - that alone is a reason to see this film. It was a lot of fun, and I also shed a few tears along the way. And last, but not least Dolly Parton was absolutely gorgeous and lit up the room every time she walked into it. If you get a chance, go and see this movie you’ll be glad you did.

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Dawn Dalton

Aug 30, 2026

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

Aug 30, 2026

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

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Ray M

Aug 29, 2026

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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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

3:38

Now Playing

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

1:59

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

2:38

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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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