Blu-ray review: The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Special Edition) 

Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton star in the musical comedy The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.  New to Blu-ray from Kino Lorber.  

The Film 

I’m not sure what I was expecting from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.  But it wasn’t the film that I saw. Stars Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton are in peak form here in this musical comedy.  Delightfully unexpected in its viewpoints and as fresh now as it was forty years ago.  

The film tells the true-life tale (with some Texas-sized embellishments) of the Chicken Ranch and those forces that would take it down.  Mona (Parton) is one of the most successful madams in the long storied history of the Chicken Ranch because she upholds ideals and ensures her “girls” are treated right, respected, respect themselves, and are paid.  Sheriff Ed Earl (Reynolds) isn’t turning a blind eye to the Chicken Ranch as much as he knows that it’s good for the small town of Gilbert.  It also would hurt his 12-year situationship with Mona.  The status quo is turned on its head by the consumer advocate reporter, Melvin P. Thorpe (Dom DeLuise) is looking into the Chicken Ranch.  When Thorpe causes a ruckus, it turns the Chicken Ranch and the entire state of Texas upside down, putting everything and everyone at the Chicken Ranch in danger … including Mona and Ed Earl’s relationship.  

One has to wonder why Dolly Parton did more acting (Rhinestone could have been the answer) because when teamed with Higgins, she’s an unstoppable comedic charmer of a superstar.  Parton isn’t just sexy (she definitely is), but has a charm and warmth to her that just makes you smile.  Higgins understood how to bring the best out of the star, and as Mona, she’s given the spotlight.  

Many think of Burt Reynolds as a specific figure, not realizing that at a certain point, he was the biggest star in the world.  The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas has Burt in that high-wattage star mode.   As Ed Earl, there is an effortless charm and swagger with that unmistakable laugh that made him unbeatable at the box office.  The first moments between him and Parton as they dance around the bedroom and sing, you instantly see why he was a draw.  

Co-Writer/Director Colin Higgins’s follow-up to his massively successful 9-to-5 is another crowd-pleaser.  Based on a Broadway smash hit, Higgins takes the bones of the musical and uses them to create a star vehicle for Reynolds and Parton.  The result is a rom-com unlike many you’ve ever seen.  One that’s high on charm, chemistry, and comedy.  Yes, the showstopping moment is the middle sustained musical set piece of the college football team visiting the Chicken Ranch.  Though it’s Reynolds and Parton’s Ed Earl and Mona’s romance that keeps everything afloat.  

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a rarity and was even when it was released in 1982.  A successful R-rated musical comedy with style to spare.  One with not one but two truly wonderful star performances.  

The Transfer 

The all-new HD Master – From a 2K Scan of the 35mm Interpositive is an excellent presentation of the 35mm shot film.  The image is sharp and crisp with a saturated color palette and a surprising amount of detail in the contrast level.  The lively color widescreen photography by legend William A. Fraker is perfectly translated to Blu-ray.  Kino continues to impress with the quality and care they bring to every single release.    

The Extras

They include the following;

• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historians Paul Anthony Nelson and Perri Cummings
• NEW Audio Commentary by Entertainment Journalists/Authors Bryan Reesman and Max Evry
• The Making of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: Featurette 
• Outtakes
• Theatrical Trailer (Newly Mastered in 2K)

The first of two all-new Audio Commentaries is by Film Historians Paul Anthony Nelson and Perri Cummings.  The duo’s track opens with a discussion of the opening title sequence and a discussion of Jim Nabors, who co-stars film, which was his first feature film role.  Some of the other details include a discussion of the real-life Chicken Ranch that this film is based on – the legend, facts, and everything in between; the point of view that the film takes on sex work; the history of the stage musical that the film is based on; Dolly Parton and her image that she took from Sex Workers during her earlier years – and how this plays into the role; a discussion of the career history of star Burt Reynolds; a deleted musical number that appears on the Network TV version; Dom DeLuise’s Melvin character and the real life character he was based on; the rise of Burt Reynolds as a Super Star and how this occurred through roles, talk shows appearances, and changes in the country; the lifelong friendship between Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds that began on this very tough production; a detailed look at the history of sex workers in film leading up to the recent Academy Award Winning Anora and how this film lines up and rubs against those films; some of the true-life accounts and incidents that happened that were adapted for the musical; a larger discussion of the various actors that appear throughout the film; a larger discussion of the changes made from stage to screen; and much more. 

The second all-new Audio Commentary is by Entertainment Journalists/Authors Bryan Reesman and Max Evry.  The duo begins with their credentials before diving into the history of the stage production and Jim Nabors, who narrates the film.  Some of the details include a detailed discussion of the production of the movie and the musical stage play (that began at The Actor’s Studio) and its huge success; Universal’s initial investment in the stage play, and then their development of the film; the casting of Dolly Parton, also the casting what-ifs of other actors; the casting of Burt Reynolds, also the casting what-ifs of other actors; how they eventually got Reynolds and Parton to agree to do the movie; Parton’s personal history and rise to Musical Superstardom and transition over into film; the trouble with the length of the film and post production; a discussion of the work of director Colin Higgins; the history of the Chicken Ranch that the film is based on; Reynold’s personal history and where his career was leading up to this film and after; a larger discussion of the songs that were thrown out of the film (the ones that were included) and the songs written by Dolly Parton that were added; a larger discussion throughout about the various actors that appear in the film and also appeared in the Broadway production; Reesman uses quotes from Susanne Fletcher and Jeff Callhoun, actors from the original Broadway production, throughout to fill in context about the production, the stage musical and anecdotes from both; and much more.  

The Making of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas: Featurette (7:18) – this vintage making-of featurette from during the original theatrical release features a surprising amount of behind-the-scenes b-roll footage from the making of the film.  Featuring interviews with director Colin Higgins, stars Burt Reynolds, Dolly Parton, Dom DeLuise, and others. 

Outtakes (4:06) – various flubs and breaks from the actors. 

Rounding out the special features are trailers for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas [Newly Mastered in 2K] (1:27); The Wanderers (1:53); Xanadu (2:05); Can’t Stop the Music (2:58); Radioland Murders (2:05); Staying Alive (2:59); Zoot Suit (2:17); Rent-a-Cop (2:16); Foul Play (1:49); 

The Final Thought 

Kino continues to bring the best catalog titles to Blu-ray.  Highest recommendations!!! 

Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray Edition of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is out now