---
title: "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)"
description: "\"It's business doing pleasure with ya!\""
url: https://www.joekarlsson.com/reviews/the-best-little-whorehouse-in-texas/
---

![A still from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)](https://www.joekarlsson.com/images/reviews/the-best-little-whorehouse-in-texas/backdrop.webp)

# The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982)

Jan 17, 2026 | Rated 4 out of 5 | Dir. Colin Higgins

“It’s business doing pleasure with ya!”

So progressive in its sex politics. So cute. So Dolly.

I had no idea this was a holiday movie. I had no idea Hard Candy Christmas was in this - it’s been one of my favorite Christmas songs for years and I never knew where it came from. I had no idea I’d cry at the ending. And yet here we are.

This was so cute. I loved it. I looked up how it was received at the time and was surprised, because it’s so progressive in its sex politics - genuinely pro sex worker in a way that feels radical even now. But why should I be surprised? Of course Dolly would be pro sex worker. She was electric in this, as she always is.

The songs are so fun. The ending got me - I cried, I’ll admit it. My favorite bits: “It’s business doing pleasure with ya” and when the watchdog character goes into a room, sniffs the air, and asks “Are y’all smoking… cocaine?!?!” Incredible line delivery.

Dolly Parton remains undefeated.

Also on [Letterboxd](https://letterboxd.com/joekarlsson/film/the-best-little-whorehouse-in-texas/)

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Joe  
Karlsson

I write about my homelab, AI tools, databases, and the weird stuff I build on the side.

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