I knew about this film mainly because of the leading singer and actress, I didn't know what to expect, being a film full of songs and being full of sex workers, but I hoped for something entertaining. Basically, in Lanville County, Texas, just outside the city limits of Gilbert, the Chicken Ranch was founded in 1910, and has for generations been known as the best little whorehouse in Texas. It has been a fixture in the town and is most popular (mostly with male visitors) for its wholesome fun, strict moral code, and cleanliness, all perpetuated by its original owner, Miss Wulla Jean (Paula Shaw). Following the death of Miss Wulla Jean seven years ago, the brothel was left to her favourite working girl, Miss Mona Stangley (Golden Globe nominated Dolly Parton), who wants to keep the same traditions as her predecessor. The Chicken Ranch has always had the unofficial blessing of the local authorities, who see the ranch providing an important community service. Ed Earl Dodd (Burt Reynolds), the sheriff of Gilbert, has a long-standing relationship with Miss Mona, and does not interfere with her business. Miss Mona is a public-minded citizen who regularly donates to charity, and is decent and law-abiding, but not everyone in town approves of her or the business at the brothel. The biggest threat comes when television personality and consumer watchdog, Melvin P. Thorpe (Dom DeLuise), one of the most powerful men in the state begins an on-air exposé of the illegal activities at the Chicken Ranch, and Ed Earl's role in letting it happen. Thorpe accuses Ed Earl of taking payoffs and bribes for not cracking down on Miss Mona's business, Earl insults and threatens Thorpe, and their argument is all caught on TV. The Chicken Ranch is an institution, and they are awaiting the arrival of the winning team from the football game between state rivals the University of Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies who will celebrate their victory. The negative publicity puts a spotlight on the place, so Ed Earl gets Miss Mona's word that she will keep the place closed until the attention goes away. She shuts it down to regular customers but elects to let the football players have their party, at which point Thorpe and his TV cameras sneak onto the property and ambush them all. Ed Earl and Miss Mona have an argument, he insults her based on her profession, and they break up. The Governor of Texas (Oscar nominated Charles Durning), who cannot make decisions on big issues until he first sees what voters say in the polls, listens to Earl's appeals to keep the Chicken Ranch open. But the polls come back with a negative result, and he orders Ed Earl to have the Chicken Ranch closed down. The working girls leave the Chicken Ranch for good. Miss Mona is broken-hearted, but she is enlightened finding out the effort made by the sheriff on her behalf. As Miss Mona leaves the whorehouse for the last time, Earl stops her and proposes to her. She turns him down, as his dream is to run for state legislature, and she knows having a wife who worked in prostitution would damage his chances. He again insists that he wants to marry her and that he does not care about what people will think or say. Deputy Fred (Jim Nabors), in a voiceover, states that Earl and Miss Mona got married and that Earl successfully ran for the legislature. Deputy Fred states that he succeeded Earl and became Sheriff. Also starring Robert Mandan as Senator Wingwood, Lois Nettleton as Dulcie Mae, Theresa Merritt as Jewel, Noah Beery Jr. As Edsel, Raleigh Bond as Mayor, Barry Corbin as C. J., Howard K. Smith as himself, Timothy Stack as Melvin's Crew, Total Recall's Mickey Jones as Henry, and Alice Drummond as Governor's Secretary. Parton is likeable as the head of whorehouse with a great country singing voice and a large cleavage you can't take your eyes off, Reynolds is alright as the sheriff trying to do the right thing, and Durning is memorable as the Governor in a dilemma. The most memorable songs are "20 Fans" (in the terrific opening), "Sneakin' Around", "The Sidestep" (Durning's energetic number), and the original version of "I Will Always Love You". This is apparently a lot more watered down and less gritty than the original Broadway show it is based on, obviously it is a subject matter that is unusual or song and dance film, but thankfully it pulls it off, cheesy and perhaps cringy at times, but it is a reasonably fun musical comedy. It was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical. Worth watching!
