Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘You’re Not the Man I Married!’

July 22, 2013 by 6 Comments
Crash of '83, Dallas, Pam Ewing, Victoria Principal

Sing it, sister

In “Crash of ’83,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, a sullen Bobby (Patrick Duffy) enters his bedroom late at night and sits in a chair while Pam (Victoria Principal) reads in bed.

PAM: [Unsympathetic] You look terrible.

BOBBY: Nothing like a celebration to really depress me.

PAM: I don’t understand.

BOBBY: You know that guy, Hicks? On Donna’s commission? J.R. had him bought and paid for. And I pulled a little number on him.

PAM: [Concerned] What do you mean?

BOBBY: I got down in the mud, honey. Just like I said I could. I forced him to change his vote on the variance.

PAM: What did you do?

BOBBY: I blackmailed him. I feel so dirty. [Rests his head in his hand]

PAM: [Puts down her book, leans forward] What do you want from me? Sympathy? Because you’re not going to get it.

BOBBY: Pam, I don’t want your sympathy.

PAM: Oh, yes you do. You want me to slap your wrist and then reassure you that you’re still the same wonderful man underneath it all. Well, I’m not going to help you out. You can stay dirty.

BOBBY: You don’t understand.

PAM: Understand? I understand that you’re not the man I married! The Bobby I love would rather be dead than blackmail Hicks or anybody else, double-cross the cartel and force his own mother into court.

BOBBY: [Exasperated] There were reasons.

PAM: [Screaming] Reasons? There’s only one reason! You would do anything to beat J.R. and get the company. Anything!

Bobby looks down.

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

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘No, J.R.’

July 17, 2013 by 3 Comments
A Ewing is a Ewing, Dallas, Holly Harwood, Lois Chiles

No

In “A Ewing is a Ewing,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, Holly (Lois Chiles) arrives in the darkened Ewing Oil reception area and finds J.R. (Larry Hagman) waiting for her.

J.R.: Hello, Holly.

HOLLY: Why the late-hour meeting, J.R.? I don’t understand why you couldn’t tell me what you wanted —

J.R.: There are a number of things you don’t understand, darlin’. That’s why I asked you to meet me here. Come on in my office. [Walks into his office, stands near the door] Come on, hon. [Holly comes to the door, pauses] Come on. [She enters and he closes the door behind her.] Like a drink?

HOLLY: No. Get on with it, J.R.

J.R.: [Pouring] Looks like I’m running into teetotalers all over the place. I had a meeting with a gentleman this afternoon, wouldn’t have a drink with me. [Sips from his glass]

HOLLY: J.R., I think we better talk some other time.

J.R.: You told the Air Force that I was behind your attempt to cancel their contract. [She’s silent.] Holly, we had an agreement. No one was to know I had any connection with Harwood Oil.

HOLLY: Anytime you want out of your contract —

J.R.: I don’t want out of the contract. And I don’t want any more stupid mistakes. You understand that?

HOLLY: What I understand is that I made the biggest mistake of my life when I made a deal with you.

J.R.: Not if you listen and do exactly like I tell you.

HOLLY: For how long?

J.R.: [Pauses, looks away, then back at her] As long as I need you.

HOLLY: Then what? You break Harwood? Ewing picks up the pieces?

J.R.: I don’t need to break Harwood. I already run it. And from now on, I run you too, darlin’.

HOLLY: Never!

She turns away from him. He approaches her from behind.

J.R.: Holly, you don’t have any choice, honey. [Touches her hair]

HOLLY: Take your hands off me, J.R.

J.R.: You wanted me once. [Reaches around, unbuttons her jacket]

HOLLY: You turned me down.

J.R.: Now we can start from scratch. [Pulls her jacket off her shoulders]

HOLLY: No, J.R. I don’t want this.

J.R.: I give the orders. You just follow them. That’s the way it’s going to be.

HOLLY: You won’t enjoy it.

J.R.: You better make damn sure I do.

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

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘My Pretty Little Ellie’

July 15, 2013 by 7 Comments
Barbara Bel Geddes, Dallas, Miss Ellie Ewing, Reckoning

Poor Mama

In “The Reckoning,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, Brooks (Donald Moffat) questions Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes) during her testimony at the hearing to overturn Jock’s will.

BROOKS: Mrs. Ewing, did your husband ever write you about the codicil?

ELLIE: No.

BROOKS: Nothing at all?

ELLIE: Well, he told me on the phone that he had been trying to plan ahead, but it was hard. He was tired. He said that he just wanted to lie down and go to sleep for awhile. I remember that that frightened me.

BROOKS: Had you ever heard him say anything like that before?

ELLIE: Never. Jock was as strong as a bull. It must have been the fever or whatever. I don’t know, but he just wasn’t himself down there.

BROOKS: But he did write to you about how he was feeling?

ELLIE: Yes, several times.

BROOKS: Mrs. Ewing, may I ask you to read some of what he wrote to you?

Brooks pulls a letter from an envelope and hands it to Ellie. She puts on her eyeglasses and studies the letter for a moment, then begins to read it aloud.

ELLIE: “I’ve forgotten how miserable the jungle can be. Between the heat and the fatigue, I’m about done in. I’ve been running a fever lately, but I guess I’ll get over that. If Punk can survive it, so can I. We’re getting things done. It’s not like when we were young, though, Ellie. [Voice begins to break] I’m really feeling the years down here. My concentration isn’t what it used to be, either. I find myself trying to figure something out, then just drifting off somewhere. Back to younger days. Younger times. It’s funny: I stare out, and all these jungle plants just kind of dissolve — and there’s your face instead, just waiting there for me. My pretty little girl. My pretty little Ellie. Oh, how I miss you down here.” [Removes her glasses, wipes her eyes]

BROOKS: Mrs. Ewing, I won’t ask you to read any further. May we place these letters in the hands of the judge? [Hands letter to bailiff] Mrs. Ewing, I have just one more question for you: Aside from the fever and exhaustion, are you saying that at the time your husband wrote the codicil, he lacked mental competence? [She looks at J.R. and Bobby, seated across the room.] Mrs. Ewing, please answer the question: Are you saying when your husband wrote the codicil, he was mentally incompetent?

ELLIE: I’m saying that his sense of judgment not up to his usual standards.

BROOKS: That’s not what I’m asking.

ELLIE: If that’s the legal term you need to break the will, then yes, Jock was not mentally competent. [She sobs.]

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

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘We’re Partners, Aren’t We?’

July 10, 2013 by 1 Comment
Dallas, Ewing Blues, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Sue Ellen Ewing

Two of a kind

In “The Ewing Blues,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. (Larry Hagman) stands in front of his bedroom mirror, holding an icepack to his swollen face, when a smiling Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) enters the room.

J.R.: What do you find so amusing, Sue Ellen?

SUE ELLEN: Well, I was just wondering whatever happened to your ability of handling — I mean, dealing — with people.

J.R.: Well, I just forgot that cowboy has a terrible temper. He’s lucky he didn’t have his spurs on. [Sits on the bed] Rub my back, would you?

SUE ELLEN: Of course. [She removes her robe and sits behind him as he winces in pain.] I can’t wait to see you on that TV show.

J.R.: You like that sort of thing, don’t you?

SUE ELLEN: [Glides a finger down his face] I think it’s nice to be the wife of a celebrity.

J.R.: I tell you the truth, I’m kind of nervous about, about being up there, and speaking in public.

SUE ELLEN: [Giggles] Well, you’ll think of something to say. I have all the confidence in the world in you.

J.R.: Well, I’d have a lot more confidence if I had somebody up there with me.

SUE ELLEN: [Leans back] You want me on the show with you?

J.R.: [Turns to face her] If it wouldn’t be an imposition.

SUE ELLEN: You mean that, don’t you?

J.R.: We’re partners, aren’t we?

SUE ELLEN: You really mean that commitment that you made at the lake, don’t you?

J.R.: [Strokes her face] Of course I do.

SUE ELLEN: I can’t tell you how happy that makes me feel.

She leans back further and gazes at him. He smiles. 

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

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘It’s Up to Me to Run This Family’

July 8, 2013 by 3 Comments
Barbara Bel Geddes, Charlene Tilton, Dallas, Lucy Ewing, Mama Dearest, Miss Ellie Ewing

Late show

In “Mama Dearest,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, Miss Ellie and Lucy (Barbara Bel Geddes, Charlene Tilton) sit at the Southfork kitchen table late at night.

LUCY: Was what J.R. did really so wrong?

ELLIE: It was wrong because of why he did it. Only to get the best of Bobby. And it hurt a lot of our friends at the same time.

LUCY: But it was a business deal, wasn’t it?

ELLIE: Yes, it was.

LUCY: You know how I feel about J.R. I mean, I hardly ever approve of anything he does.

ELLIE: Lucy, you’re very troubled about this. Why?

LUCY: Well, Granddaddy would have known that something like this could happen. He knew how J.R. operated. He had to take that into account when he decided that J.R. and Bobby should compete for Ewing Oil. Granddaddy was a very smart man. Especially when it came to business.

ELLIE: [Smiles] Yes, he was.

LUCY: Then how can you try and change what he wanted done?

ELLIE: It’s very difficult for me, Lucy.

LUCY: Well, then don’t do it. I’m sure it’s all turning out just the way Granddaddy expected it.

ELLIE: [Smiles] Oh, Lucy. I know how much you loved him. I did too. And I respected his judgment. I found him very wise. But even when he was alive, things didn’t always work out the way he planned. But then he was around to make the changes and straighten everything out. It’s gone wrong. And he’s not around to fix it.

LUCY: Grandma, are you sure you’re doing what’s right?

ELLIE: No. No, I’m not sure. I don’t want to go against your granddaddy’s wishes. But he’s not here anymore. And it’s up to me to run this family.

Lucy reaches across the table and touches Ellie’s arm.

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

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

July 3, 2013 by 4 Comments
Barbecue Three, Bobby Ewing, Dallas, Patrick Duffy

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.

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

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘No Other Women, No Games’

July 1, 2013 by 5 Comments
Linda Gray, Post Nuptial, Sue Ellen Ewing

Better late than never

In “Post Nuptial,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. and Sue Ellen (Larry Hagman, Linda Gray) are on the patio of their honeymoon suite, where she leans on a table as he pours himself a cup of coffee.

SUE ELLEN: I rode over to the boat dock yesterday and I thought maybe we could take a boat out for a sail this afternoon.

J.R.: Oh, you know me and water. Unless it’s cooped up in a swimming pool, I have a definite aversion to it.

SUE ELLEN: [Giggles, touches his face] I’ll protect you.

J.R.: More than enough to wet my bourbon, it scares the devil out of me, honey.

SUE ELLEN: That’s not true.

J.R.: No, the truth is, I have a meeting in town today.

SUE ELLEN: [Exasperated] J.R.!

J.R.: I couldn’t get out of it.

SUE ELLEN: Well, this is my honeymoon!

J.R.: Well, it’s mine too. [Reclines in his seat] This is an important meeting. It really is. Vital to our future, as a matter of fact. [Sips his coffee]

SUE ELLEN: Then I’m going with you.

J.R.: It’s business!

SUE ELLEN: When we started our new life together, I wanted to make sure that that included both family — and business.

J.R.: You sound like a different woman.

SUE ELLEN: [Smiles] I am. And I want you to be different too. I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure it works this time.

J.R.: So am I.

SUE ELLEN: If you really do mean that, then I want a commitment from you. No other women, no games. A total commitment, all the way.

J.R.: That’s what I did when I married you this time, Sue Ellen.

SUE ELLEN: I certainly hope so. Because I couldn’t handle it any other way.

J.R.: [Leans forward, sets down his cup] You won’t have to. [Kisses her] I promise you.

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

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Butt Out, Bob!’

June 26, 2013 by 10 Comments
Barbara Bel Geddes, Bobby Ewing, Clayton Farlow, Dallas, Howard Keel, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Miss Ellie Ewing, Pam Ewing, Patrick Duffy, Sue Ellen Ewing, Victoria Principal, Wedding

All in the family

In “The Wedding,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, J.R. and Clayton (Larry Hagman, Howard Keel) pour drinks in the Southfork living room.

CLAYTON: What do you think of the season, so far?

J.R.: Which one, football or hunting?

CLAYTON: Football!

J.R.: Oh, well, I’m not too thrilled with their draft choices this year, that’s for sure. You know they could have picked up that backfield. [Chooses an appetizer from a servant’s plate] They should’ve done it years ago.

On the other side of the room, Pam (Victoria Principal) chats with Miss Ellie and Sue Ellen (Barbara Bel Geddes, Linda Gray).

PAM: You know, I don’t care what anyone wears to exercise class, but this girl showed up today wearing a string bikini, the size of a stamp.

ELLIE: Did you say anything?

PAM: Well, no.

Bobby (Patrick Duffy) storms into the room, tosses his briefcase onto the sofa and exclaims, “J.R.!”

J.R.: [To Clayton] I tell you, I don’t think they have a chance. They’re out in the cold.

BOBBY: Here. [Hands a folder to J.R.]

J.R.: What’s that?

BOBBY: Reports from our geologists and our accountants. Read them if you have the nerve.

J.R.: [Sets down his drink, looks through the folder] I don’t have to read this stuff.

BOBBY: Well, I think you’d better. You can’t pretend that everything is normal anymore. Every one of those men think that what you’re trying to do is going to ruin the future of Ewing Oil.

ELLIE: Bobby, I’d like it better if you discussed this with J.R. in private.

BOBBY: I have tried, Mother. And I know how you feel about all this too: “Let’s not argue about business in front of the family.” But don’t you understand that when we’re quiet about things like this, it plays right into his hands? It becomes a cover-up for J.R. I’m not going to do it anymore. I want everything out in the open!

J.R.: I don’t care what the geologists say. Or the accountants. And I certainly don’t need any advice from you on how to run an oil company.

PAM: Well, maybe this is one time that you do need some.

SUE ELLEN: Pam, why don’t we let our men settle the business problems?

PAM: Sue Ellen, can’t you see what J.R.’s trying to do?

SUE ELLEN: Yes. He’s protecting what’s rightfully his.

PAM: [Angrily] Well, what about what’s rightfully Bobby’s?

J.R.: I’m simply trying to carry out the terms of Daddy’s will.

BOBBY: Daddy never thought that you’d try and use that will to destroy Ewing Oil.

J.R.: Butt out, Bob!

BOBBY: Butt out of a business — ?

Clayton steps between the brothers, followed by Ellie.

ELLIE: All right, now that’s enough. Stop it! Tomorrow, there’s going to be a wedding in this house. Tonight we were supposed to have a quiet family dinner together.

J.R.: Mama, that’s exactly what I wanted.

ELLIE: J.R., I’m very pleased that you and Sue Ellen and John Ross will be reunited under this roof. But I am not pleased to stand by and see this family torn apart because of the terms of Jock’s will.

J.R.: Daddy’s will is crystal clear. And because of that will, the chips will have to fall where they may.

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

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘That’s Funny. You Never Showed It.’

June 24, 2013 by 6 Comments
Dallas, Fringe Benefits, Linda Gray, Pam Ewing, Sue Ellen Ewing, Victoria Principal

Doing it for themselves

In “Fringe Benefits,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, Sue Ellen and Pam (Linda Gray, Victoria Principal) leave a dress shop together. 

PAM: Have you decided on the color of your dress yet?

SUE ELLEN: Mhmm.

PAM: [Playfully] Well, you’re not going to tell me, are you?

SUE ELLEN: Well, I would like it to be a surprise. But, um…. Well, one thing I can you is it won’t be white.

PAM: Well, I can’t imagine why not. [They giggle.]

SUE ELLEN: I’m so glad you’re here with me today.

PAM: [Locks arms with her] Well, I enjoy being with you, Sue Ellen.

SUE ELLEN: Despite the rivalry between Bobby and J.R.?

PAM: [Seriously] Have you been thinking about that too?

SUE ELLEN: It’s odd how relationships change. I hated you when Bobby first brought you to Southfork.

PAM: That’s funny. You never showed it.

SUE ELLEN: [Smiles, touches Pam’s hand] But then you were so wonderful to me when J.R. and I were fighting over John Ross.

PAM: Well, I think you’d do the same thing for me.

SUE ELLEN: [Nods, smiles] I don’t want us to lose our friendship.

PAM: Well, there’s no reason for that to happen. It’s up to us.

SUE ELLEN: We have to try hard to not get into their fights.

PAM: I think it would be ironic after hating each other for so long and finally being friends that we lose our friendship over their fight.

SUE ELLEN: Well, we just have to make sure that doesn’t happen.

PAM: And I know we’ll try.

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

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘If It’s a Fight You Want. …’

June 19, 2013 by 8 Comments
Barbara Bel Geddes, Dallas, Ewing Touch, Priscilla Pointer, Rebecca Wentworth

Face off

In “The Ewing Touch,” a sixth-season “Dallas” episode, Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes) approaches Rebecca (Priscilla Pointer) outside a restaurant.

ELLIE: Rebecca. We should talk.

REBECCA: All right.

They walk together.

ELLIE: You and I share a grandson now. Let the two of us try to work together and put a stop to this family feud. Cliff has his own company now and J.R. is busy. They’re on equal ground. They really have no reason to fight each other.

REBECCA: [Stops, faces her] That’s a very fine attitude for you to have Ellie. But then again, it wasn’t your son who almost died.

ELLIE: But Rebecca, that’s over. It’s behind us. Cliff pulled out of it.

REBECCA: If it were one of your boys, would you be so quick to forgive?

ELLIE: I hope so.

REBECCA: I’ll tell you something, Ellie. I’m all for it. But if J.R. takes one step out of line, I guarantee you, we’ll destroy him.

ELLIE: Rebecca, I’ve done everything I know to put a stop to this nonsense. But if it’s a fight you want, just remember: Other people have fought the Ewings before — and they’ve regretted it.

REBECCA: We’ll see.

ELLIE: [Sighs] All right, Rebecca. I tried. Now it’s up to you.

Rebecca turns and walks away.

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