Marvin Zindler (KTRK-TV photo)
Many Houstonians remember the catchphrase, “Sliiiime in the ice machine!” used by flamboyant television personality Marvin Zindler. Wearing his signature white wig and blue-tinted shades, his Rat and Roach Report was broadcast during the 6 and 10 p.m. Friday newscasts on KTRK-TV. Zindler used City of Houston Food Inspection reports to inform television viewers which restaurants were cited for heath code violations and unsanitary conditions. He even had the KTRK coffee shop closed several times due to violations.
Zindler gained notoriety by his series of stories that led to the closing of a brothel in La Grange in Fayette County, Texas known as the Chicken Ranch. He pursued the story because he believed that the Chicken Ranch and another La Grange brothel made illegal payoffs to local officials and were involved in organized crime.
Texas author Larry L. King, in 1974, wrote an article for Playboy magazine which was made into a Broadway play and later into the movie, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. The movie starred Dom DeLuise, Dolly Parton, and Burt Reynolds. ZZ Top wrote its hit song La Grange based on King’s article.
Zindler partnered with his plastic surgeon, Dr. Joseph Agris, to form the Agris-Zindler Children’s Foundation as a medical charity. Marvin’s Angels, a group of doctors who donated their time, helped thousands of children around the world by offering free medical services. Dr. Agris wrote a biography about Zindler entitled White Knight in Blue Shades.
Before his 34-year career with KTRK, Zindler worked in his father’s clothing shop, became a disc jockey, joined a production company, became a crime reporter and photographer, went into law enforcement, hunted fugitives, and established a consumer fraud division.
His career at KTRK began in 1973, when he was 51 years old. Zindler signed an unprecedented lifetime contract with the station in 1988. At age 85, he did his last report from his hospital bed at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in the Texas Medical Center on July 27, 2007. He died there two days later. His investigative reporting, usually involving the elderly and those in need, made him one of Houston television’s most beloved personalities.
On Friday nights, before his traditional sign-off, Zindler always said, “Have a good weekend—good golf, good tennis, or whatever makes you happy.” Then, he’d give his signoff, “Marrrrrvin Zindler…Eeeyyyyewitness NEWS!”
