On this day July 23 1982, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas premiered in theaters, bringing the hit Broadway musical to the big screen with a star powered cast and a mix of country charm and comedy. Starring Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton, the film told the story of a long running Texas brothel called the Chicken Ranch and the efforts to shut it down by a zealous TV reporter.
The movie blended cheeky humor with musical numbers and Southern flair. Dolly Parton brought warmth and energy to the role of Miss Mona, while Burt Reynolds played the local sheriff caught between duty and love. The film’s standout moment was Parton’s performance of I Will Always Love You, a song she had written years earlier and re-recorded for the film’s soundtrack.
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas became a box office hit, earning over 69 million dollars and becoming one of the top grossing musicals of the decade. While some critics were divided, audiences embraced the chemistry between Reynolds and Parton and the lighthearted take on controversial material.
80s insight: This film proved that country stars like Dolly Parton could cross into Hollywood and bring a musical legacy with them. It was a rare mix of risqué and wholesome that only the 80s could pull off.
The movie blended cheeky humor with musical numbers and Southern flair. Dolly Parton brought warmth and energy to the role of Miss Mona, while Burt Reynolds played the local sheriff caught between duty and love. The film’s standout moment was Parton’s performance of I Will Always Love You, a song she had written years earlier and re-recorded for the film’s soundtrack.
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas became a box office hit, earning over 69 million dollars and becoming one of the top grossing musicals of the decade. While some critics were divided, audiences embraced the chemistry between Reynolds and Parton and the lighthearted take on controversial material.
80s insight: This film proved that country stars like Dolly Parton could cross into Hollywood and bring a musical legacy with them. It was a rare mix of risqué and wholesome that only the 80s could pull off.
