The Passing of a Texas Legend

Anyone who saw either the musical “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” or the film adapted from the play starring Burt Reynolds, Dolly Parton, Charles Durning and Jim Nabors, will remember the over the top behavior of the investigative reporter, Melvin P. Thorpe. Those of you who aren’t from the Houston area may not realize it, but the play and film were based on actual events and the over the top reporter was based on a real life television personality, MARVIN ZINDLER.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Best_Little_Whorehouse_in_Texas

Marvin passed away over the weekend in his mid eighties. The local news media has been rife with Marvin Zindler stories. Since Marvin was a colorful character, many of the stories are true.

My one personal dealing with Mr. Zindler came about in an unusual way. Approximately twenty five years ago, I was involved in planning a program to be held on Veteran’s Day. A number of veteran’s organizations were invited to participate in the ceremony. This created a problem because Marvin Zindler was president of one of the organizations and had to be given a speaking role. Everyone involved realized that putting a showman like Marvin in proximity to a live microphone was a grave danger to our tight schedule, since Marvin would most likely embellish his role if given an opportunity.

After thinking about it, the committee came up with a great solution. At the solemn occasion that Veteran’s Day, Marvin Zindler led the Pledge of Allegiance in a very dignified way. And while the last syllable was fading away, the chair of the meeting thanked President Zindler for his deeply moving rendition of the Pledge of Allegiance and hurried the program along.  For one of the few times in his life, Marvin Zindler was cut off and out foxed.

To borrow a line from the film version, Marvin’s passing has left the people of Texas what we like best, another legend.