November and the lovely autumn season seem time for comely comedy with some stories about fun of love, temptation realized or not, films that feature “hooker with a heart of gold” aka, ladies of the night, or in more elegant terms courtesan, who might be working in what been called the “world’s oldest profession, and possesses virtues such as kindness, integrity, generosity. There are some sad or grim stories to be sure, however, many more amusing and light-hearted to appreciate. Enjoy the vicarious crossing into the world of sensual souls.

Best Little Whorehouse In Texas (USA, Universal Pictures, 1982, 114 min., R, dir. Colin Higgins)

Located just outside of the city limits of Gilbert, Lanville County, Texas, the “Chicken Ranch”, legal licensed “house of ill repute” for generations until it closed in 1972, was catapulted to international fame with the hit Broadway musical of 1978 in the imaginative account of the raucously popular establishment known as the “best little whorehouse in Texas” that was legend for its wholesome fun, strict moral code, and cleanliness, is truly entertaining frolic. When the owner/founder passed on she left her beloved brother to her favorite working girl, Miss Mona Stangley (Dolly Parton) who aims to maintain the same standards and traditions.

The Chicken Ranch has always had the unofficial blessing of the local authorities, who see the ranch providing an important community service, one which most in local authority have used at one time or another in their lives. In fact, Miss Mona and Lanville County Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd (Burt Reynolds) have been in a relationship for years, Ed Earl, who is Miss Mona's protector, albeit one with a good ol' boy demeanor and hot temper that doesn't exactly correspond to his law upholding position.

When television personality and consumer watchdog, Melvin P. Thorpe (Dom DeLuise), one of the most powerful men in the state, starts an on-air exposé of the illegal activities at the Chicken Ranch, that includes Ed Earl's part in turning a blind eye and in letting it happen. Ed Earl and Miss Mona's relationship goes through some stressful times particularly with the annual party night with the football players following the Thanksgiving Day game between the University of Texas and Texas A&M, that’s the Chicken Ranch's busiest night of the year.

Will the Chicken Ranch be able to remain open especially in light of a cowardly Governor (Charles Durning) who responds to the direction of polls. Will the ranch and Ed Earl and Miss Mona's relationship survive, watch the movie to find out!

Reynolds and Parton have great chemistry and all the girls are pretty and saucy. The songs are fun and the dancing rowdy. Durning had Academy Award®nomination for “Best Supporting Actor.”

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083642/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

Irma LaDouce (USA, Samuel Goldwyn Studios, 1963, 147 min., dir. Billy Wilder)

When naive gendarme Nester Patou (Jack Lemmon), is transferred to the Red-Light district of Paris he observes the activities of the ladies of the of the neighborhood and realizes there must be a brothel business that makes the area so busy. He instigates a raid, transporting all the girls to jail. Unbeknownst to him this disrupts the tacit relationship of the police and the Pimps unofficial union. Nestor is dismissed from the force and at local café drowning his sorrows is befriended by the charming and zany colorful (her costumes are amazing!) Irma (Shirley MacLaine). She beats up her abusive pimp, and Nestor finds he is now Irma's new procurer. Nester, however, has fallen for Irma and is living with her; and does not like the thought of his girl seeing other men, so comes up with a plan and incognito becomes her affluent lover.

Hilarious antics, the coquettish chemistry of Lemmon and MacLaine (reunited with director Wilder from their star turns in The Apartment) are rollicking entertainment. Three Oscar® nods (including “Best Actress” for MacLaine; and one win for “Best Score” by Andre Previn. Toujours l’amour!

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057187/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Mighty Aphrodite (USA, Sweetland Films/Magnolia Pictures/Miramax, 1995, 95 min., R, dir. Woody Allen)

NY sports writer Lenny (Woody Allen) and Amanda (Helena Bonham Carter) adopt a baby who they consider brilliant and are curious about his biological parentage, Lenny is convinced must be extremely intelligent. He finds out otherwise when he meets the mother Linda Ash (Mira Sorvino) who is a pretty, if not quirky, prostitute and porn actress. The story is a curious twist on Greek drama, though actually a comedy, with intermittent echoing of “chorus” commenting on the unfolding events and consequences.

Two Oscar® nods and a win for Sorvino as “Best Supporting Actress”. (Caution: some graphic language and consequent imagery). Supporting cast includes: F. Murray Abraham, Michael Rappaport, Paul Giamatti,Jack Warden, Claire Bloom, Olympia Dukakis, and more.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113819/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Never On Sunday (Greece, Melina Productions, 1960, 97 min., dir. Jules Dassin)

Sultry streetwalker sublimely independent Iliya (Melina Mercouri) reigns as the courtesan of the day(s) in the “court” of the port town or Piraeus (by Athens) Greece. The tantalizing temptress captures the affection of American photographer Homer Thrace (Jules Dassin, also director) and intellectual who woos her by attempting to educate her about ancient Greek civilization. He’s one of many “clients” that vary six days a week because her credo is “never on Sunday” her day of rest. Five Oscar® nods and one win for “Best Song” (first time ever for foreign film) that’s truly international classic. Opa!

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054198/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

The Owl &The Pussy Cat (USA, 1970, Rastar Pictures/Tom Ward Enterprises, 95 min., R, dir. Herbert Ross)

Feisty and flashy hooker with her innate wisdom Doris (Barbra Streisand) meets rather meek writer (albeit unpublished) Felix (George Segal) reside in the same Manhattan apartment building. She’s noisy and apparently accepts money for sex and he reports her to the “super” and it’s battle at first sight. When she’s evicted she knocks on his door in wee hours and he provides refuge and more. A tangled turn of events involving his typewriter and ultimately the not so wise owl is tamed by the reticent pussy cat.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066195/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

Dangerous Beauty (1998)

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118892/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2

Pretty Woman (USA, Touchstone Pictures, 1990, 119 min., R, dir. Garry Marshall)

Corporate raider debonair man about town Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) is obsessed with business and maintaining control at all times in all things. His personal relationships with girlfriends/lovers suffer for his lack of warmth and concern so he’s mostly solo. When he needs a companion for a week of heavy business dinners and social dealings literally he picks up an attractive street walker from Hollywood Boulevard, Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts), and sets the rules.

Edward establishes Vivian in his suite in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel where she is in pampered bliss albeit with his own decorum prescribed. Vivian has her own one specific rule that there’s no kissing, not withstanding every other sort of sexual and sensual contact. She’s a diamond in the rough and in this Pygmalion saga it’s the hotel manager Barney Thompson (Hector Elizondo) who becomes her mentor and converts her from wayward to “pretty woman”. The ultimate fairy tale story of girl from the streets gets the man of her dreams, though not without some angst. The film was and is still extremely popular and increased Roberts profile and career including Oscar® nod for “Best Actress.” The shopping scenes in chic Rodeo Drive, couture, her throaty laugh and beaming smile worth the price of admission.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100405/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

The World of Suzie Wong (UK/USA, World Enterprises, 1960, 126 min., dir. Richard Quine)

Unusual love story about American architect Robert Lomax (William Holden) who decides to pursues his ambition to be a painter taking residence in Hong Kong. Early on he meets a curious young woman who identifies herself as Mei Ling (Nancy Kwan) daughter of a wealthy businessman. His abode is in a hotel that’s the hub for local prostitutes who he resists. He notices Mei Ling in the lobby bar, however soon learns she is really Suzie Wong, the most popular of the “call girls” for hire. He engages Suzie to be his model cum muse and finds her sort of fantasy existence intriguing, yet challenging, and resists his innate attraction to focusing on his painting. Kay O’Neill (Sylvia Syms) daughter of a local banker has her own designs on Robert. There is much tension and drama with droll moments and ultimate happy outcome. The exotic world of Hong Kong is ever alluring and never more so than in the eponymous story depicted.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054483/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1

Note: The film was an adaptation of the hit Broadway play, directed by Joshua Logan, that debuted in 1958 based on British (1957) novel by Richard Mason, and starred William Shatner and France Nuyen. Lomax’s character was originally a Brit, however, changed to American origin for the play and film. Holden was a huge star at the time and made at least five movies that were set in Asia.

Film catapulted Nancy Kwan to become the biggest star of Asian-American (Eurasian actually) heritage, and she has had her own fabulous career. In 2010 she was honored at the 7th annual LA Harbor International Film Festival Hollywood Nostalgia Tribute featuring her star tune in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s FLOWER DRUM SONG with the author of the book that inspired the musical C.Y. Lee present.

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Stephanie Mardesich, a native of San Pedro from a family who arrived in the harbor area over 100 years ago. An alumna of U.S.C. School of Cinematic Arts; founder-director of the LA Harbor International Film Festival; credited journalist and public relations consultant, she launched "Cinema Stephanie" film critique blogette in 2017. More recently, she created "Eclectic Culture" lifestyle stories and reviews blog. She is also co-producer with Jack Baric (S.P. native and R.P.V. resident) of the oral history project Stories of Los Angeles Harbor Area: For Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (SOLAHA) - Volume II debuted in March 2020.

For more see:

(to look up films) www.imdb.com

www.laharborfilmfest.com( Cinema Stephanie blogette)

www.storieslaharborarea.com (histories/stories)