The Chicken Ranch in La Grange shut its doors shortly after the expose aired. The investigation inspired a Broadway musical, and eventually a feature film starring Burt Reynolds, Dolly Parton and Dom DeLuise as our own Marvin Zindler.
Just last year, Edna Milton Chadwell, the brothel's madam, passed away.
History of the Chicken Ranch:
- Marvin's complete story of the history of the Chicken Ranch scandal Marvin Zindler received an anonymous tip that something dirty was going on in a little country town about 60 miles east of Austin. And that's where the story began way back in 1973.
- Watch original 1973 film footage
- Marvin Zindler meets actor Dom DeLuise
A wink between the madam and law enforcement allowed the "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" near La Grange to operate in violation of Texas law.
"Action 13 received an anonymous complaint about two alleged houses of prostitution," Marvin Zindler reported on the air in July 1973.
Read more of Marvin's investigative reports which led to the ultimate closure of the brothel
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