The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a 1982 musical comedy film, based on the hit Broadway musical by the same name. The story is based on the true events surrounding the closing of the Chicken Ranch, a legendary Texas brothel that operated for over a century without incident, until political crusaders orchestrated its demise.
The film is set in the small town of Gilbert, Texas, where the Chicken Ranch has been a fixture for generations. The town sheriff, Ed Earl Dodd (Burt Reynolds), is a regular customer and good friend of the madame, Miss Mona (Dolly Parton), who runs the business. When a crusading television reporter, Melvin P. Thorpe (Dom DeLuise), sets his sights on exposing the Chicken Ranch and putting Miss Mona out of business, Sheriff Dodd and Miss Mona team up to fight back and save the brothel.
As the pressure mounts and the media frenzy intensifies, Sheriff Dodd and Miss Mona find themselves falling in love, despite their different lifestyles and backgrounds. The film is full of memorable musical numbers, including "Hard Candy Christmas," "The Aggie Song," and "Sneakin' Around."
Ultimately, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas is a lighthearted satire that takes aim at the hypocrisy and moral double standards of American politics and culture. It celebrates the ingenuity and resilience of small-town communities, and champions the right of individuals to live their lives as they see fit, without interference from self-righteous outsiders.