Wild Texas Wind

A female country singer nicknamed "Big T"--seriously, that's what they call her--risks her budding musical career and her life by falling into the company of a sleazy drunkard (Busey) who wants to be her manager. His mother committed suicide, his father's an alcoholic as well, and he has a violent temper. You can imagine where that leads. In the meantime, there's music aplenty, as Parton, with her fluid vocal talents, belts out song after song (at least half a dozen of them about Texas). Steer clear of this mess and check her out in NINE TO FIVE or STEEL MAGNOLIAS instead.

In 1991 I was a fragile 16 year old girl with an abusive boyfriend. I grew up on Dolly and mom had just bought me White Limozeen for my birthday. When a commercial for the movie came on TV, I had to watch and see for myself that Dolly would allow this to happen to herself too. As I watched Dolly in Wild Texas Wind I knew that I would walk away from him and life could go on. It wasn't until much later that I figured out that this movie wasn't based on Dolly's life. Dolly has taught me through her music that a woman can stand on her two feet... where God planted her to begin with. But ya know what I can't figure out? Why hasn't anyone put these made for TV movies on DVD yet? I would love to own them!

Once again, the inspiring Dolly Parton lights up the TV screen in the role of a battered girlfriend.

Dolly plays Thiola, a country music singer on the road with Big T and the Texas Wheel. When playing a gig one night, Thiola is approached by Justice Parker, a man that adores her and wants to make her a superstar. As time passes, Thiola and Justice fall in love with each other....but things are not all happy as they may appear on the surface. Justice is an unstable man who can't cope with jealousy and rage. He takes his frustrations out on Thiola, beating her like a punching bag. Constant apologies and Thiola's forgiveness hold them together for a period of time but as that time goes by, Thiola realizes that Justice isn't going to change and breaks it off with him.

Getting on with her life, she becomes stalked and frightened by Justice and doesn't know what to say or do to make him understand that it's over between them.

After a final beating of Thiola, Justice is murdered in his club one night - but who did it? Thiola...Ben...Harlan (Justice's mean spirited father)...who can it be?

You can normally catch this movie on Lifetime Movie Network or CMT Theatre at night time, and it's worth watching, so make sure you catch it next time it is on, or you can find the video on eBay...either way, you won't be let down - Dolly never lets you down! ;)

I had wanted to see this movie ever since I found out it existed, being the only person in my age group that's a Dolly Parton fan (woohoo!). When I realized that it was near impossible to find I pretty much gave up hope on it, 'til one day, on a whim I decided to search for "Wild Texas Wind" on Youtube, and sure enough it was there, the whole movie. I then stayed up until 1 in the morning watching it, aren't I the pathetic one. Afterwards I just sat there, staring at the screen, what was this that I just watched? A sheer travesty is what it was, the film obviously had absolutely no budget and a terrible director. I can imagine on paper it looked pretty good, it had all the elements of a good story but all were incredibly poorly executed especially the attempt at putting it in a narrative frame. But there is still one gleaming reason to watch it, Dolly Parton herself. about 40% of the movie is all her performing and these are songs you can't hear anywhere else. Although it was an amazing blunder for the director, if you're a Dolly fan, you're bound to be entertained.

As a film I give it 3/10. For entertainment value, a definite 8/10

During the early 90's I was a musician living and working out of Austin Texas. Through "Asleep at the Wheel", I got a bit part in this movie playing one of the musicians waiting to go onstage at the "Opry".

The story line is very weak, the acting is weak and about the only strong point is the music. Unfortunately for the viewers, some of the best music didn't get on tape. Gary Busey's jam with "Asleep at the Wheel" was incredible.

As far as the acting, the best performances were turned in by Willie Nelson, Ray Benson and Gary Busey.

On a scale from one to ten, I'd have to give "Wild Texas Wind" a three.