Dallas Scenes of the Day – Dallas Decoder

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

July 3, 2013 by Chris Baker 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: Barbara Bel Geddes, Barbecue Three, Don Starr, Ken Farmer, Ken Kercheval, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, Steve Kanaly, Susan Howard, Victoria Principal

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

July 1, 2013 by Chris Baker 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: Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Post Nuptial

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

June 26, 2013 by Chris Baker 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: Barbara Bel Geddes, Howard Keel, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, Victoria Principal, Wedding

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

June 24, 2013 by Chris Baker 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: Fringe Benefits, Linda Gray, Victoria Principal

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

June 19, 2013 by Chris Baker 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: Barbara Bel Geddes, Ewing Touch, Priscilla Pointer

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

June 17, 2013 by Chris Baker 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: Hit and Run, Patrick Duffy, Victoria Principal

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

June 12, 2013 by Chris Baker 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: Aftermath, Patrick Duffy, Victoria Principal

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

June 11, 2013 by Chris Baker 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: Joan Van Ark, Knots Landing, Larry Hagman, New Beginnings, Rita Crafts

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

June 10, 2013 by Chris Baker 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: Barbara Bel Geddes, George O. Petrie, Jock’s Will, Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy

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

June 5, 2013 by Chris Baker 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: Barbara Bel Geddes, Big Ball