iconic cult movie musical filming locations : the chicken ranch from the best little whorehouse in Texas

On 14 Colonial street at the Universal Studios back lot in Hollywood sits one of the most famous houses in movie history . The "Chicken Ranch" as it's called has been used in iconic films and television series such as Rob Zombie's A House of 1000 Corpses , and the CBS drama Ghost Whisperer . But the house's most famous appearance ( and the reason for its construction ) was the 1982 movie musical The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds. The Chicken Ranch ( based upon the real life Texan bordello ) serves as the main setting in the 1982 film . In the film , the Chicken Ranch is a legendary house of ill repute that dates back to the early 19th century and is run by Miss Mona (Dolly Parton ) who acts as both the madam of the house and mother to the girls who live there. The set was modeled after a real home in Austin, Texas where principal photography took place. The set was originally placed in Texas and used for establishing shots before being moved to the Universal Studios back lot . The set is still fully functional and can be used for filming internally and externally. The original Chicken Ranch was located in La Grange, Texas and operated from 1905 until 1973 when it was closed after an expose' by a Texan media watchdog named Marvin Zindler. The bordello served as inspiration for the original Broadway musical Whorehouse , the film adaption and the ZZ Top song La Grange.

Dolly Parton as Miss Mona in front of the Chicken Ranch set .

The original Chicken Ranch in La Grange , Texas.