Marvin Zindler, 1970s

Marvin Zindler (1921-2007) was a well known consumer affairs journalist and reporter for KTRK-TV Channel 13 in Houston, Texas. In 1973, he made national headlines in his work to investigate and help close the Chicken Ranch, a house of ill-repute, operating illegally in La Grange, a town some 90 miles (146km) west of Houston. The character of Melvin P. Thorpe in "The Best Little W--------- in Texas" (played by Dom DeLuise in the film version) was based upon Zindler.

He was also well known for his Friday night "Rat and Roach Report", reading the reports of restaurants that had violated city health codes on air. He would always end his report with places that had slime in their ice makers with his catchphrase "....sliiiime in the ice machine!"

"MAAAARVIN ZINDLER, EEEEYEWITNES NEWS!" -Marvin's usual sign off at the end of his reports.