Claire Thompson
The Chicken Ranch, a brothel in Texas, was the subject of the 1982 musical comedy film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, starring Dolly Parton as Miss Mona Stangley, the owner and madam of the brothel, and Burt Reynolds as Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd, her romantic partner. The film was based on a play of the same name, which was inspired by the life of Edna Milton Chadwell, the real-life last madam of the Chicken Ranch. Chadwell died in 2012 at the age of 84, but it is unclear if Parton's character, Ms. Mona, is still alive.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Mona Stangley |
| Inspiration | Edna Milton Chadwell |
| Nickname | Miss Mona |
| Profession | Owner and madam of the Chicken Ranch |
| Chicken Ranch | A brothel that operated outside of Gilbert, Texas since 1910 |
| Status of Chicken Ranch | Closed down in 1973 |
| Inspiration for the character | Edna Milton Chadwell, the last madam of the Chicken Ranch |
| Is Ms. Mona still alive? | No |
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What You'll Learn
The Chicken Ranch was inspired by Edna Milton Chadwell
The Chicken Ranch was a real-life brothel that operated from 1905 until 1973 in Texas. The owner and madam of the Chicken Ranch was Edna Milton Chadwell, also known as Miss Edna. She was the inspiration for the character of Mona Stangley in the film adaptation of the Chicken Ranch's story, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas".
Edna Milton Chadwell was born in 1928 in Caddo County, Oklahoma. She was forced into an unwanted marriage at the age of 16 and had a son who died soon after birth. After her first husband's death, she turned to prostitution as a means of support. In 1952, she joined the staff of the Chicken Ranch, then owned by Miss Jessie Williams, and soon took on many of the day-to-day responsibilities of operating the brothel. In 1961, after Williams' death, Chadwell purchased the establishment and ran it for the next 12 years. She proved adept at public relations and established a good working relationship with the local sheriff, T.J. Flournoy, who put in a direct line to the Chicken Ranch so he could be apprised of any criminal activity. Chadwell also contributed to local civic causes, becoming one of La Grange's largest philanthropists.
The Chicken Ranch received national infamy after the staging of "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" on Broadway. It was reportedly the oldest continuously operating brothel in the nation when it closed in 1973 following an exposé by Marvin Zindler, a TV journalist. The legend of the Chicken Ranch inspired a Broadway play, a film starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds, and a ZZ Top song.
The film adaptation, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", features Dolly Parton as Miss Mona Stangley, the character inspired by Edna Milton Chadwell. The film depicts the history of the Chicken Ranch, decade by decade, with singing, dancing, and huge productions. It was nominated for Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical in the 1983 Golden Globe Awards, and Dolly Parton was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress.
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Dolly Parton played Ms Mona in the film adaptation
Dolly Rebecca Parton, born on January 19, 1946, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, actress, and philanthropist. She is known primarily as a country musician and has had a long and illustrious musical career. However, she has also acted in several Hollywood films, including 9 to 5, Steel Magnolias, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
In The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Parton played the role of brothel madam Mona Stangley, also known as Miss Mona. The film, released in 1982, is a musical comedy set in Texas and based on a play. It tells the story of the Chicken Ranch, a brothel that has been operating since 1910 and is under threat of being shut down by a self-righteous television personality, Melvin P. Thorpe (played by Dom DeLuise).
Parton's character, Miss Mona, is the owner and madam of the Chicken Ranch. She is a respected and well-liked member of the community, known for her kindness and generosity. She is in a secret romantic relationship with Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd (played by Burt Reynolds), who tries to protect her and the brothel from being exposed. Parton's portrayal of Miss Mona received positive reviews, and she was nominated for a Golden Globe award in the Best Actress - Comedy/Musical category.
The character of Miss Mona was inspired by a real-life person named Edna Milton Chadwell, who was the last madam of the Chicken Ranch before it was closed down in 1973. Chadwell sold the rights to her story to Texas writer Larry L. King, which was then adapted for the stage and later turned into the film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
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The brothel was shut down in 1973
The Chicken Ranch, a brothel operating outside of Gilbert, Texas, was shut down in 1973. It had been running since 1910 and was owned and run by Miss Mona Stangley, who inherited the business from Miss Wulla Jean. Miss Mona was well-liked and respected in the community and was known for her charitable donations. She also had a romantic relationship with Ed Earl Dodd (played by Burt Reynolds in the film adaptation), the local sheriff who tried to protect her and the Chicken Ranch from being exposed.
The Chicken Ranch was the subject of a 1973 exposé by Marvin Zindler, a reporter for KTRK-TV in Houston. The exposé led to the brothel's demise and sparked a public outcry, putting pressure on the Governor to shut it down. The story of the Chicken Ranch inspired a Broadway play, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," in which the real-life Miss Edna played a small, non-speaking role as the former madam. The play was then adapted into a film, also titled "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," starring Dolly Parton as Miss Mona and Burt Reynolds as Ed Earl Dodd.
The film depicts the history of the Chicken Ranch, decade by decade, with singing, dancing, and large productions. It was nominated for Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical at the 1983 Golden Globe Awards, and Dolly Parton was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress - Comedy/Musical. The film also sparked a hit song by ZZ Top, "La Grange," which was inspired by the Chicken Ranch.
Following the closure of the Chicken Ranch, the real-life Miss Edna, whose name was Edna Milton Chadwell, moved to Gladewater and got married. After her husband's death, she married Clayton Chadwell and moved to Phoenix, where she lived in relative obscurity until her death at the age of 84.
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The real-life Ms Mona died in Phoenix
The character of Miss Mona, played by Dolly Parton in the 1982 film "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", was inspired by the real-life Edna Milton Chadwell. Chadwell was the last madam of the Chicken Ranch, a brothel that operated outside of Gilbert, Texas from 1910 until 1973.
The Chicken Ranch gained notoriety as the oldest continuously run brothel in the nation. It was closed down in 1973 following an exposé by Marvin Zindler, a TV journalist. The story of the Chicken Ranch inspired a Broadway play, a movie, and a hit song by ZZ Top.
After the Chicken Ranch closed, Chadwell moved to Gladewater, Texas, where she got married. Following her husband's death, she married Clayton Chadwell and moved to Phoenix, where she lived in relative obscurity until her death. Chadwell died in Phoenix at the age of 84 from complications from injuries sustained in a car accident the previous year.
The character of Miss Mona in the film is depicted as a kind-hearted and generous woman who donates to charity and helps her girls find new careers. She is also shown to have a romantic relationship with Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd, played by Burt Reynolds, who tries to protect her and the Chicken Ranch from being exposed by a TV reporter.
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The film was nominated for Best Motion Picture in the 1983 Golden Globes
The 1982 film "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" was nominated for Best Motion Picture in the 1983 Golden Globe Awards. The film is based on a play set in Texas about a brothel known as the Chicken Ranch, which is on the verge of being shut down by a TV reporter. The leading lady, Miss Mona, played by Dolly Parton, joins forces with the local sheriff, Ed Earl Dodd, played by Burt Reynolds, to prevent its closing. The film explores themes of friendship, tradition, honesty, promises, and tolerance, and manages to poke fun at society.
The character of Miss Mona is based on a real-life person named Edna Milton Chadwell, the last madam of the Chicken Ranch. Chadwell sold the rights to her story to Texas writer Larry L. King, who wrote a piece for Playboy magazine. This was later adapted by Peter Masterson for the stage as "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," in which Miss Edna played a small, non-speaking role as the former madam. The Chicken Ranch was an infamous brothel in La Grange, Texas, that reportedly was the oldest continuously operating brothel in the nation when it closed in 1973 following an exposé.
The film "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" received multiple nominations at the 40th Golden Globe Awards, which were held on January 29, 1983. In addition to the Best Motion Picture nomination, Dolly Parton was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical, and Charles Durning was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
The film has been praised for its ambitious portrayal of the history of the Chicken Ranch, with singing, dancing, and huge productions set to the tune of "Twenty Fans" and narrated by Jim Nabors. It has also been noted for its subtle comedy and well-acted serious moments, with each performer enthusiastically embracing their role.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Ms Mona of the Chicken Ranch is not based on a real person and is a fictional character. However, the last madam of the Chicken Ranch, Edna Milton Chadwell, who inspired the character of Ms Mona, passed away in 2012 at the age of 84.
The Chicken Ranch was a brothel that operated outside of Gilbert, Texas, from 1910 until 1973. It was closed down by the Texas Rangers following an investigation by Marvin Zindler, a TV journalist.
Two Houston lawyers bought the Chicken Ranch and moved part of the building to Dallas to open a restaurant in 1977, but it closed down in 1978. The building and furniture were then auctioned off.
