Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Back Off, Barnes!’

The barrier

In “Barbecue Three,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, Cliff and Jordan (Ken Kercheval, Don Starr) lead a mob of angry oilmen in confronting J.R. (Larry Hagman) at the Ewing Barbecue, where he stands on the patio with Sue Ellen (Linda Gray).

CLIFF: J.R., we want to talk to you.

J.R.: Well, Barnes, I’ve got a business. You know where my office is.

JORDAN: You don’t even answer your phone calls, J.R.

J.R.: Been real busy.

JORDAN: Too busy to talk to your friends?

J.R.: If y’all got something to say, say it.

Ray and Miss Ellie (Steve Kanaly, Barbara Bel Geddes) watch from the crowd.

RAY: Maybe you ought to go inside, Miss Ellie.

ELLIE: No.

Cliff and J.R. continue their faceoff.

CLIFF: We want to talk to you about the gas war.

J.R.: I don’t think there’s anything to talk about. If I want to cut prices, that’s my business, isn’t it?

JORDAN: No, J.R. It’s the business of every oilman in Texas.

CLIFF: J.R., the politicians are afraid of you. We aren’t. We want you to stop over-pumping those fields and put prices back where they belong.

Bobby (Patrick Duffy) steps in front of J.R.

BOBBY: Cliff, that sounds like a threat. You boys are starting to look like a lynch mob.

JORDAN: Bobby, what are you doing sticking up for J.R.? He’s ruining you too!

BOBBY: Jordan, I don’t like it any more than you do. But right now you’re talking not business, but family. That’s no way to solve problems.

Ray joins Bobby in shielding J.R. as one of the oilmen (Ken Farmer) in the crowd begins to speak.

OILMAN: My stations are losing a fortune, Bobby. One more week and I’m out of business. You best step aside.

BOBBY: If you want to get to J.R., you’re going to have to come through us.

CLIFF: Then that’s what it’ll be, because you’re not stopping us.

BOBBY: Back off, Barnes! All of you!

OILMAN: Not before we settle with J.R.

RAY: Just hold it right there! If there’s going to be any blood spilled here today, I guarantee you it won’t just be Ewing blood.

ELLIE: [Stepping forward] Good Lord, are you all crazy? Most of you are Jock’s friends!

JORDAN: Now, Miss Ellie, we don’t have any quarrel with you.

ELLIE: You’re a guest in my home. Until you come to your senses, I don’t want to see any of you. Now go home. Go home, all of you!

JORDAN: [Turning toward the cartel members] Come on, let’s go.

Pam and Donna (Victoria Principal, Susan Howard) step forward.

ELLIE: I’m calling Harv Smithfield. I’ve had enough of this insane competition between you two. I’m going to court to break Jock’s will. And then I intend to sell Ewing Oil.