Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘You’re Cute, You Know That?’

June 17, 2013 by 2 Comments
Bobby Ewing, Dallas, Hit and Run, Patrick Duffy, Pam Ewing, Victoria Principal

You ain’t kidding, sister

In “Hit and Run,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, Bobby and Pam (Patrick Duffy, Victoria Principal) enter the Southfork living room.

BOBBY: Did your conversation with your mama really go that bad?

PAM: Mhmm. She wouldn’t listen to reason. It scares me, Bobby. [Sits]

BOBBY: [Begins fixing them drinks] Come on. It’s not going to be that easy for her to ruin Ewing Oil, even with Cliff in the cartel.

PAM: But it’s not just Ewing Oil I’m worried about. This could ruin my whole relationship with my family.

BOBBY: Pam, your mama’s not writing you off as a daughter.

PAM: No, but she’s ready to step on my life to protect Cliff’s. That doesn’t make me feel very good.

BOBBY: [Sighs] Well, I sympathize with you. I really do. [Hands her a drink, sits] But to tell you the truth, I have more on my mind right now than Cliff Barnes and your mother.

PAM: That Canadian deal?

BOBBY: Mhmm. Oh, it’s too good to pass up.

PAM: Maybe you should take it.

BOBBY: Well, it’s a long-range deal, and it’s a lot of money. And if it doesn’t come in within a year —

PAM: Before the second audit?

BOBBY: That’s right. I refuse to make a perfect deal just so J.R. can inherit it.

PAM: Well, I wish I had an answer for you, but lately I don’t seem to have any answers.

BOBBY: Well, we may not have answers, but we got each other.

PAM: [Kisses him] You’re cute, you know that?

BOBBY: [Clinks glasses with hers] I know that.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: , ,

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘He Wants It For John Ross’

June 12, 2013 by 2 Comments
Aftermath, Bobby Ewing, Dallas, Patrick Duffy

The more things change

In “Aftermath,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, Pam (Victoria Principal) sits on her bed while Bobby (Patrick Duffy) sits in a chair, writing on a notepad.

PAM: Bobby?

BOBBY: Hmm?

PAM: It’s really late. What are you doing?

BOBBY: I’m just doodling.

PAM: [Gets up, walks toward his seat, sits and looks at his notepad] You’ve already started working on it, haven’t you? You didn’t waste any time.

BOBBY: Do you think J.R.’s going to?

PAM: Bobby, forgive me, but it was really unfair of Jock to put you in this contest.

BOBBY: Oh Pam, no. It’s not like that at all. He didn’t have a choice.

PAM: Yes, he did. He could have given each of you half of the company. It would have been better for everybody.

BOBBY: You can’t split a company like Ewing Oil.

PAM: Well, then he could have left it the way it was. The whole family was able to vote.

BOBBY: No, that was just an interim agreement. Ewing Oil needs long-range leadership.

PAM: You know I’m behind you in this. It’s just I’m afraid it could hurt us.

BOBBY: Pam, Daddy did the only thing he could possibly do. How could he leave Ewing Oil to one son and not the other? And yet he had to be sure that whoever was in charge was the toughest man for the job. Actually, I’m kind of pleased about the way it turned out. Daddy had confidence in me. He put me up against J.R. J.R.’s been in that position of leadership for a long time.

PAM: Well, you’d be better be sure it’s worth it, because he’s going to fight you with everything he has.

BOBBY: Well, I’m going to fight him just as hard. Pam, J.R. doesn’t want that company just for himself. He wants it for John Ross. And you and I have a son too. And I’m not going to sit back and watch J.R. steal something that rightfully belongs to Christopher.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: , ,

Knots Landing Scene of the Day: ‘You Are Disgusting!’

June 11, 2013 by 3 Comments
Joan Van Ark, Knots Landing, New Beginnings, Val Ewing

Needled

In “New Beginnings,” a fourth-season “Knots Landing” episode, Valene (Joan Van Ark) is seated behind the counter in a bookstore, signing a copy of her book for a customer (Rita Crafts).

VAL: There you go. [Slides the book across the counter]

CUSTOMER: I’ll bet you’re glad this day’s almost over.

VAL: [Smiles] Oh, no. Not really. I enjoy meeting people who buy my book.

CUSTOMER: Thank you.

The customer walks away as a man slides an open book in front of Val.

VAL: OK, how would you like that signed, sir?

She looks up and sees it’s J.R. (Larry Hagman).

J.R.: “To my favorite brother-in-law in the whole wide world.”

VAL: What are you doing here?

J.R.: Well, aren’t you going to sign it? I bought it fair and square, with the promise that you’d autograph it for me.

VAL: [Whispers] You are disgusting!

J.R.: [Looks around with mock concern] Come on, darlin’. Your public’s waiting. [She scribbles on the page, closes the book, slides it toward him and looks away.] Oh, thanks. [Examining her signature] Oh, that’s just wonderful. I’m going to stick this in my special collection of memorabilia. Right next to the knitting needles of Madame Defarge.

VAL: Leave me alone, J.R.

J.R.: Well, honey, what’s the rush? You know, it’s not often I get a chance to talk to a real, live celebrity. [Chuckles] You know, everybody said I’d hate what you wrote about us, but I don’t. I really don’t. And it’s nice having a best-selling authoress in the family. Especially since I own her publishing company.

VAL: You what?

J.R.: That’s right. Lock, stock and all the profits. I’m glad to keep it in the family. Oh, golly. I forgot. You’re on your way out of the family, aren’t you?

VAL: Well, you know what they say. Behind every cloud there’s a silver lining. Now would you please step aside because I’ve got paying customers to attend to. [Takes a book from someone else and smiles]

J.R.: Oh, of course. I’m looking forward to your new book. And just remember: I have first rights.

VAL: Yes, thank you.

As he walks away, the first customer approaches him.

CUSTOMER: Aren’t you J.R.?

J.R.: Yeah, that’s right.

CUSTOMER: Oh, would you sign this for me, please? [Hands him her book and a pen]

J.R.: Well, sure. [Looks at Val and shrugs] There you go.

CUSTOMER: Oh, thank you so much.

J.R.: My pleasure. [Chuckles]

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: , , , ,

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘… One Man at the Helm’

June 10, 2013 by 7 Comments
Dallas, Jim Davis, Jock Ewing, Jock's Will

Daddy’s decree

In “Jock’s Will,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes), J.R. (Larry Hagman), Bobby (Patrick Duffy) and the other Ewings gather near Jock’s portrait in the Southfork living room, where Harv (George O. Petrie) sits at a desk and reads the codicil the Ewing patriarch added to his will.

HARV: “I, John Ross Ewing Sr., being of sound mind and body, do hereby add the following provisions to my last will and testament. It is no secret that the company I built — some call it an empire — is precious to me. Precious beyond anything in my life, save my dear wife Ellie and my sons. It is, however, that very preciousness that makes the choice of my successors an agonizing one. Gary and Ray, although your place in my heart is just as large and shines just as bright as the place set aside for your brothers, neither of you has shown any aptitude — or inclination for that matter — for business. Therefore, my choice of successor is narrowed to Bobby and J.R. Sons, this is addressed to you: It’s been my cherished hope that one day the two of you might run Ewing Oil as a team. That was my hope. Ewing Oil can only have one man at the helm, and that’s got to be the man that wants it the most.”

ELLIE: [Softly] Oh, Jock. No.

HARV: “Therefore, upon my death, I want an independent audit conducted of all the company’s holdings. I want everything divided upon paper so that J.R. and Bobby each have control over exactly 50 percent of the total assets. Punk Anderson, a fine oilman and an even finer friend, has agreed to act as administrator of my estate. After one year, Punk will conduct a second audit. Whichever son has managed to create the greatest gain for his half share of Ewing Oil will win 51 percent of the stock of the entire company and will be able to run it any way he sees fit. The loser in this contest will get 19 percent and the remaining 30 percent I want divided equally between Gary, Ray and Miss Ellie to make sure they’ll never be without a share of the profits of the company I created, which incidentally, must never be owned by anyone other than a Ewing. One final thing: In the unfortunate event that before this year is up, one son predeceases the other, the remaining son will automatically inherit his shares and he will take over the company.”

The Ewings look at each other with stunned expressions.

J.R.: Well, Bobby, to your good health and very long life. [Raises a glass, smiles]

The brothers clink glasses.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: , , , ,

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Jock Ewing Was a Great Man’

June 5, 2013 by 4 Comments
Barbara Bel Geddes, Big Ball, Dallas, Miss Ellie Ewing

The queen’s speech

In “The Big Ball,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, after Punk announces the Jock Ewing Scholarship at the Oil Barons Ball, Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes) addresses the audience, flanked by Bobby and J.R.

ELLIE: Jock Ewing was a great man, measured in the only true value of a man. Not in money or power, but in friends. As I look around, I see so many of you that called Jock “friend.” And he was my husband. But more than that, he was my best friend. I know how much you all miss him. But in a way, he’ll always be alive in your memories. And in his family. And now through the scholarships of SMU. I know how very proud he’d be if he knew what you’d done for him. And perhaps he does. And for him, and for me, I thank you. My life will never be the same without him. But Jock — of all men — always believed that you had to be ready to face tomorrow. And so we will. I’ll always know that my sons had the finest father, and I was married to the finest man that God ever put on this earth.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: ,

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Mama, You Don’t Know’

June 3, 2013 by 14 Comments
Billion Dollar Question, Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman

His father’s son

In “Billion Dollar Question,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, Miss Ellie and J.R. (Barbara Bel Geddes, Larry Hagman) sit at the breakfast table on the Southfork patio after Bobby and Pam depart.

ELLIE: You look as if you’re going into town.

J.R.: Well, there’s nothing to do here. Ray’s got the ranch under control and I wasn’t cut out to punch cattle, that’s for sure.

ELLIE: No, I guess not.

J.R.: Bobby’s living my life. He’s doing everything I should be doing. [Pours coffee]

ELLIE: J.R., I know how you feel. You are my son and I do care about you.

J.R.: I have a hard time believing that right now. [Takes a bite]

ELLIE: I know what Ewing Oil means to you. But I can’t allow the company to be used to savagely destroy someone.

J.R.: [Tosses down his napkin, rises from his seat] Mama, I worked for a number of years with Daddy, side by side when he was running Ewing Oil. Now he was a fair man. But he was tough and ruthless when he had to be. He wouldn’t let the runny-nose, spineless Cliff Barneses of this world tell him what to do.

ELLIE: Your daddy never set a trap the way you did for Cliff.

J.R.: Mama, you don’t know the half of what Daddy did when he was running that company. He brought strong leadership to the company and he brought strong leadership to the family. You think he’d approve of the way the family’s been handled since he died? In that letter he sent you, dividing up all the shares? Supposed to be temporary. Well, how long is temporary? What direction is the family going in, anyhow? Who’s going to provide for Christopher, John Ross and Lucy? Are you handling the family the way he would want you to?

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: , ,

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Where There’s a Way, There’s a Will’

May 29, 2013 by 1 Comment
Dallas, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Serena, Stephanie Blackmore, Where There's a Will

Cash and carry

In “Where There’s a Will,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, John (Robin Strand) is dressing in the Ewing condo while Serena (Stephanie Blackmore) lounges in bed.

SERENA: You’re not leaving already?

JOHN: Gotta get home.

SERENA: Don’t be silly. It’s still early.

JOHN: It’s nearly 10.

SERENA: Aren’t you enjoying yourself?

JOHN: [Sits on bed] Are you kidding? Your husband must have been a fool to divorce you.

SERENA: He’s a lot older. We just weren’t compatible. Not like us. [Kisses him]

J.R. (Larry Hagman) enters.

J.R.: Oh, excuse me. [Noticing John] John Baxter?

JOHN: Mr. Ewing, what are you doing here?

J.R.: Well, this is a Ewing condo. Serena was just staying here.

SERENA: I’m sorry, J.R. I thought I’d be gone by now.

J.R.: Good Lord, what is Harv Smithfield going to say when he hears his brand-new son-in-law is in bed with another woman.

JOHN: Mr. Ewing, you wouldn’t say anything to him, would you?

J.R.: Well, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m a firm believer in the sanctity of marriage — and I’m damned disappointed in you, John.

JOHN: Yes, sir. I can imagine that you are. But you wouldn’t say anything to Mr. Smithfield, would you?

J.R.: Well, I’m going to give it some thought. I’ll call you tomorrow. I’m sure we can work something out. In the meantime, you might get out of here and go back to your little bride.

JOHN: Yes, sir. [Scoops up his clothes, rushes away]

SERENA: [Smiling] I hope that was what you wanted, J.R.

J.R. [Sits on the bed, reaches into his pocket, pulls out an envelope and hands it to her] That’s exactly what I wanted, my dear. And like my daddy used to say, “Where there’s a way, there’s a will.’”

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: , , ,

Knots Landing Scene of the Day: ‘The Crown Stays in Dallas’

May 28, 2013 by 1 Comment
Abby Cunningham, Daniel, Donna Mills, J.R. Ewing, Knots Landing

The king’s speech

In “Daniel,” a fourth-season “Knots Landing” episode, Abby and J.R. (Donna Mills, Larry Hagman) are in his hotel room, where she gives him the missing chapters of Val’s book.

ABBY: As promised, chapters 2, 5, 6, 11 and 18. [Places each chapter on a table]

J.R.: [Pouring two glasses of champagne] Good, good.

ABBY: Now, the will?

J.R.: You don’t think I brought a copy with me, do you?

ABBY: Well, I guess I can wait until tomorrow.

J.R.: Honey, you’re going to have to wait until it’s read. I don’t even have a copy.

ABBY: [Angry] Wait a minute!

J.R.: [Reassuring] I know what’s in the will — generally speaking. And generally is all you need to know, isn’t it? [Abby sighs.] Gary’s coming into money. Big money. Valene’s got nothing to do with it. Now, feel better? [Hands her a glass of champagne]

ABBY: [Giggling] Oh, yes. [They clink glasses and each take a sip.] Yes, indeed.

J.R.: Oh, my poor little baby brother. You’re just going to eat him alive, aren’t you?

ABBY: [Sits on the sofa] What makes you think I want to do a thing like that?

J.R.: Well, drink’s not the only thing he can’t handle.

ABBY: He handles me very nicely, thank you.

J.R.: [Chuckles] That’s not what I’m talking about. You know, when Gary was 16, he somehow got it into his head that he wanted a motorcycle. And our family spoiled us boys rotten. But on this issue, my daddy put his foot down. He says, “You want a motorcycle? You’re going to have to earn it.” And by God, he did. Before dawn, up every day, mucking out the stables and pitching hay. Working on the rigs in the blazing sun. He just never missed one single day. Come September, my daddy took him down to the showroom. Gave him a slap on the back and a blank check. And of course, Gary had read all the brochures and motorcycle magazines. He knew exactly what he wanted. And he signed the check and revved that old motorcycle up. He drove straight through that plate-glass window. [Chuckles] I tell you.

ABBY: Some people take longer to grow up.

J.R.: Well, that’s true. [Sits next to her] And then of course some people never grow up at all. Are you really going to marry him?

ABBY: I love him.

J.R.: You mean that? Hmm? [He tries to kiss her. She resists.] Well if you do mean it, keep him out of my showroom.

ABBY: Your showroom?

J.R.: Keep him out of Dallas.

ABBY: What makes you think that I want to be in Dallas?

J.R.: You’re not Valene. When they were together, he wouldn’t come within spitting distance of me. But you’re different. You want to be queen of the Ewings.

ABBY: [Smiles] No. I’ll settle for princess.

J.R.: All right, you’ve got it. You get the ermine and the jewels. But the crown stays in Dallas. Because the crown is mine.

ABBY: If I do keep Gary out of Dallas, what do I get in return?

J.R.: [Strokes her hair, grins] My blessing.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: , , ,

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘To J.R. Ewing, Back in Power Again’

May 27, 2013 by 5 Comments
Changing of the Guard, Dallas, Holly Harwood, Lois Chiles

Silent partner

In “Changing of the Guard,” “Dallas’s” sixth-season opener, Holly and J.R. (Lois Chiles, Larry Hagman) sit at a table inside a darkened cocktail lounge.

HOLLY: Well, what do you say? Do we have a deal?

J.R.: [Leans forward] Well, it’s a very tempting offer. Especially coming from such a lovely young lady.

HOLLY: It’s a dynamite offer. And you know it. [Smiles, squeezes a lime into her drink] You’re out of Ewing Oil. And I don’t know a damn thing about running an oil company.

J.R.: You’re very bright. [Sips his drink]

HOLLY: I’m bright enough to know what I don’t know. [Smiles, stirs her drink]

J.R.: All right, I’ll accept your offer. I’ll run Harwood Oil for you — on one condition: that I stay completely in the background. Nobody’s to know of my involvement.

HOLLY: Forever?

J.R.: Till I say so. You continue to act as president and I’ll give you all the moves. I don’t want an office, and I certainly don’t want to meet in your office.

HOLLY: Whatever you say. What about money? Or do you have somebody to take care of that for you?

J.R.: [Chuckles] Well, Holly, I think as you get to know me a little better, you’ll find that I take care of just about everything. I don’t want any money up front. But I do want 25 percent ownership of Harwood Oil.

HOLLY: [Smiling] Twenty-five percent? You don’t come cheap, do you J.R.?

J.R.: You wouldn’t want me if I did, would you? Look at it this way, Holly: With me, you have 75 percent of a profitable business. And without me, you just might have 100 percent of nothing.

HOLLY: [Long silence] All right. [Looks down, then back at him] Deal.

J.R.: [Smiles] That calls for a toast.

HOLLY: To Harwood Oil. Someday it may be bigger and stronger than Ewing Oil.

J.R.: [Hesitates, smiles, drinks] You know, it just occurred to me: I’ve only been out of work 48 hours.

HOLLY: [Smiles] To J.R. Ewing, back in power again.

J.R.: [Clinks her glass with his] As it should be.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: , ,

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘You’re a Cold and Insensitive Man’

January 23, 2013 by 9 Comments
Now he's done it

Now he’s done it

In “Goodbye, Cliff Barnes,” “Dallas’s” fifth-season finale, Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes) is in the Southfork living room when Rebecca (Priscilla Pointer) arrives.

ELLIE: Rebecca, what a surprise.

REBECCA: This is not a social call, Ellie.

ELLIE: Rebecca, what’s the matter?

REBECCA: Maybe Digger was right. When I was married to him, I was too young or too stupid to realize it.

ELLIE: What are you talking about?

REBECCA: Digger never had a chance. Jock was too shrewd, too strong and too fast. And now it’s happening between J.R. and Cliff. It’s the same fight all over again.

ELLIE: Rebecca, will you please calm down and tell me what’s happened?

REBECCA: When I found out that Cliff was using Wentworth funds, I fired him. I think it’s time you did the same with J.R. He used Ewing funds to destroy my son. Cliff is in Dallas Memorial, in a coma.

J.R. and Sue Ellen (Larry Hagman, Linda Gray) enter.

SUE ELLEN: [Steps toward Rebecca] My God.

REBECCA: J.R. set him up. He lost everything. Last night, he tried to kill himself.

SUE ELLEN: No.

ELLIE: Rebecca, I’m so sorry. If there’s anything I can do.

REBECCA: I don’t want your help. I’m here to warn you: The Barnes-Ewing feud is still going on! It’s always been an uneven fight. The rich Ewings against the poor Barneses. Well, now it’s even. I swear I’ll break the Ewing family – and I have the money to do it. [Leaves]

SUE ELLEN: I have to go the hospital and see Cliff.

J.R.: [Grabs her arm] No, Sue Ellen.

SUE ELLEN: I have to! [Leaves]

ELLIE: [Steps toward J.R.] I want to hear it from you, J.R. Did Rebecca tell me the truth?

J.R.: Yes, she did.

ELLIE: And you drove Cliff to attempt suicide?

J.R.: How was I to know he was going to do a dumb thing like that?

ELLIE: You don’t care, do you?

J.R.: I told you before, Mama. I couldn’t stand the idea of him being with Sue Ellen. Now I didn’t force him to embezzle from Wentworth Tool and Die. I didn’t force him to get into a deal that he didn’t check and double check. If that man is dying, it’s because of his own greed. Not me.

ELLIE: You’re a cold and insensitive man, J.R. And I’m going to remove you as president of Ewing Oil just as soon as Bobby gets back.

J.R.: Well, you don’t know it yet, but you won’t be able to do that. I’m going to go find Sue Ellen and talk some sense into her. [Leaves]

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: , , , ,
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