The Silver Screen Oasis

Just as my satellite connection was fixed, this movie was starting on the Encore Love channel. For those of you who hate C&W, and would never be caught dead watching Dolly Parton, but love musicals, you are cutting off your nose to spite your face.

I always forget this one when discussing musicals because so many people think of it as strictly hick city. Dolly and Burt Reynolds are at their primes and look fantastic. The music is rollicking and you can't help humming them afterward. The men will love seeing all those gorgeous girls dancing around in their underwear, and the jokes are flying all the time.

Dollys' 'I Will Always Love You' is featured near the end of the movie, and NOBODY does it like she does. There are a lot of imitations, but she wrote it and she knew what the words meant, so when she sings it, there is more heart in it than anyone else can put in.

The dance sequences are great combining the usual type of chorus line dancing, with the Western 2 step.

Dolly is the Madame of the Chicken Ranch and has had a lifetime affair going with Burt who happens to be the town sheriff. When Dom DeLuise comes to town to cause trouble because there is a whorehouse just outside of town (which has been there for 150 years), Burt tries his best to save Dolly and the house but has a lot of opposition. The funny part is that those fighting it are the politicians, not the wives. In this nice little bible belt town, the wives are happy to have hubbies go off on Saturday night. Charles Durning also has a small musical part as Governor and does a couple of really cute political songs about double talking to the press.

As I said earlier, if you have the Encore channels, check this one out. I guarantee, unless you're like me and Marlon Brando, you're bound to find it a really entertaining, finger popping, happy feeling movie. You know how I hate to recommend a movie, but I feel confident in this one.

Anne

I agree with John. I saw it years ago and thought it a fun film with an energetic cast. Great? No, but it was ok. Been meaning to catch it again to see how it holds up.

I'll take Dolly too.

I think it's a fun film, too. I LOVE Dolly Parton in anything. Her version of I Will Always Love You beats Whitney Houston's, hands down.

I love seeing Charles Durning doing his little "Sidestep" number, too. When he was honored at the SAG awards, I found out that he had been a dance instructor. That's why he was so light on his feet!

I'd love to see this film again, in letterbox this time.

Sandy K

Movieman1957:

It definitely holds up for energy and fun. After watching some of those musical numbers, I'M tired out.

Sandykaypax:

It's in letterbox.

I didn't even mind seeing those little supposedly high school seniors running around in their little naked bottoms in the shower room.

Anne

I remember being disappointed by the film, mainly because I so loved the stage production with Henderson Forsythe and Carlin Glynn. The film just didn't match up.

Vienna wrote:I remember being disappointed by the film, mainly because I so loved the stage production with Henderson Forsythe and Carlin Glynn. The film just didn't match up.

I agree with you Vienna!

I’ve never cared enough to watch this movie but it was one of my favorite jokes on the Venture Bros that Rusty checked it out thinking it was a porno starring Dolly Parton. lol “It’s got Dolly Parton in it!”