The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

The brothel as soul of the community, charitable institution, or social therapy on a par with raffia work? This musical avoids sensitive issues like the clap, settling for stock tarts-with-hearts, loyal regulars, virginal jocks, and an outraged clean-up-the-state prude (DeLuise) of monstrously miscamped proportions. Clumsy chorus-lining, a penchant for ostrich plumes, and a tinny musical sameness betray the film's stage origins. One good number: Durning's Governor tripping a neat political 'Sidestep'. But the dialogue is Texas crude, the sentiment Bible Belt coy, and the songs conveyor-belt Broadway: stale air on a G-string.