Features – Dallas Decoder

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘I Owe Sam More Than That’

June 8, 2012 by Chris Baker 1 Comment

Dallas, Donna Culver, Jenna's Return, Ray Krebbs, Steve Kanaly, Susan Howard

Simply the best

In “Jenna’s Return,” a third-season “Dallas” episode, Ray and Donna (Steve Kanaly, Susan Howard) are sitting on her living-room floor, where Ray just won another round of backgammon.

DONNA: You have to at least give me a chance to get even.

RAY: No, I don’t. You’ll have plenty chances to get even some other time. I gotta get up early tomorrow morning.

DONNA: [Moves across the floor on her knees, picks up her wine glass and takes a sip] You know, it just really beats me how a night person like me ever got entangled with a day person like you.

RAY: You ought to come out with me some morning at dawn and watch that old sun come up. I tell you, the land’s really beautiful then. Peaceful and quiet.

DONNA: I’d like that. [She begins gathering dishes from a nearby table.]

RAY: Hey. You just leave those dishes. [Sits on the sofa, pulls her onto his lap and kisses her] I love you.

DONNA: You don’t mind that we spend so much time alone, do you?

RAY: [Smiles] No, I got you all to myself that way.

DONNA: Well, it won’t be this way for much longer. It’s just I don’t want to seem like a merry widow. I owe Sam more than that. You understand, don’t you?

RAY: You’re feeling guilty about you and I.

DONNA: [Smiles] Yeah, yeah.

RAY: Well, don’t be silly.

DONNA: I know it. And I know that Sam would be the first one to approve. Because all he ever wanted what was best for me. And you are that. [Strokes his hair] The best.

They kiss.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Jenna’s Return, Steve Kanaly, Susan Howard

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘No One’s Made a Ewing Back Down’

June 7, 2012 by Chris Baker 4 Comments

Barbara Bel Geddes, Charlene Tilton, Dallas, Lucy Ewing, Miss Ellie Ewing, Paternity Suit

Scene from a mall

In “Paternity Suit,” a third-season “Dallas” episode, Miss Ellie and Lucy (Barbara Bel Geddes, Charlene Tilton) are shopping for dresses when Marilee and Linda (Fern Fitzgerald, Joan Lancaster) approach.

LUCY: [Walks toward Miss Ellie with a red boa around her neck] Grandma? Grandma, what do you think?

ELLIE: Well, I think it has a rather limited usefulness.

MARILEE: Why, what a surprise.

LINDA: We didn’t expect to see you here.

LUCY: Where did you expect to see us?

MARILEE: This must be a terrible time for you, Miss Ellie.

LINDA: We’re all gonna miss Sue Ellen tomorrow night at the DOA dinner.

ELLIE: I don’t know what you mean.

LINDA: Well, with all the goings-on in the papers, I hardly think she’d be comfortable there.

ELLIE: Why, she wouldn’t miss it for the world. We’re all going, aren’t we, Lucy?

LUCY: Of course.

ELLIE: We’re buying some new clothes for the occasion.

LUCY: [Holds up the boa] Yeah, how do you like this one? For me, of course, you know.

LINDA: Well, it’s interesting.

MARILEE: We’d love to have you at our table, Miss Ellie.

ELLIE: Thank you, Marilee, but the whole family will be there. I imagine we’ll take up a whole table by ourselves. But why don’t you stop by the ranch for cocktails first. We’ve invited a few friends.

MARILEE: You’re having a party?

ELLIE: Six-thirty, tomorrow.

MARILEE: Linda?

LINDA: Well, that sounds just fine.

MARILEE: I’m sure my husband will be delighted.

ELLIE: Good. We’ll see you then. Bye.

MARILEE: Bye.

Marilee and Linda walk away.

MARILEE: [Under her breath] Who’d have thought?

LINDA: Honey, the Ewings have nerves of steel.

LUCY: Grandma, you were terrific.

ELLIE: I thought so. But I’ve faced worse scandals than this. No one’s ever made a Ewing back down yet. I doubt if they ever will.

LUCY: Are you sure you don’t like this? [Wraps the boa around her neck]

ELLIE: No. You may not wear that horrible dress.

Lucy smiles and walks away.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Barbara Bel Geddes, Charlene Tilton, Fern Fitzgerald, Joan Lancaster, Paternity Suit

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘It’s Gonna Take Me Time, Jock’

June 6, 2012 by Chris Baker 2 Comments

Barbara Bel Geddes, Dallas, Jim Davis, Jock Ewing, Power Play

Pillow talk

In “Power Play,” a third-season “Dallas” episode, Jock and Miss Ellie (Jim Davis, Barbara Bel Geddes) are in bed as he rubs her back.

JOCK: You know, everything’s under control at the office now that Bobby’s there. Why don’t we go down to Ruidoso tomorrow and watch Punk Anderson work out his 2-year-olds? We just might spend the night at the lodge, the one with the river.

ELLIE: I don’t know, Jock.

JOCK: I can’t ever remember missing one of his annual barbecues. We’ve had some wonderful times, haven’t we, Ellie?

ELLIE: Yes, we have.

JOCK: Then you’ll go?

ELLIE: [Turns to face him] Jock, I, I don’t know if I’m up to a big social event yet.

JOCK: Doctor says you’re doing just fine.

ELLIE: There’ll be too many people. Too many questions. Probably well-meaning questions or maybe just inquiring glances. It’s gonna take me time, Jock. Please understand.

JOCK: Sure. [He kisses her hand and she turns away from him.] Good night.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Barbara Bel Geddes, Jim Davis, Power Play

The Art of Knots Landing: ‘Community Spirit’

June 5, 2012 by Chris Baker Leave a Comment

Gary and J.R. (Ted Shackelford, Larry Hagman) are seen in this 1980 publicity shot from “Community Spirit,” a first-season “Knots Landing” episode.

Filed Under: Art of Dallas, Art of Dallas (Classic), Features Tagged With: Community Spirit, Knots Landing, Larry Hagman, Ted Shackelford

Knots Landing Scene of the Day: ‘I’m Not Afraid of You, J.R.’

June 5, 2012 by Chris Baker 2 Comments

Sunny with a chance of courage

In “Knots Landing’s” first-season episode “Community Spirit,” J.R. (Larry Hagman) approaches Gary and Valene (Ted Shackelford, Joan Van Ark) on the beach, moments before Gary is supposed to speak at a rally against J.R.’s offshore drilling project.

VAL: [Slaps a coin purse in J.R.’s hands] Here.

J.R.: Well, what’s that? What is that?

VAL: A couple dollars in change.

J.R.: That’s very kind of you, Valene. What’s it for?

VAL: To call Lucy with.

J.R.: I meant what I said yesterday. [To Gary, but staring at Val] Tell your little woman not to toy with me.

GARY: We know you meant it, J.R.

VAL: Go on. Call her. Call Lucy and tell her. We were gonna tell her soon anyway. But if that’s what you have to do, do it. It’ll hurt her. And it’ll do you no worldly good at all, but we’re all strong. I mean, she’s strong. We’ll all get over it. And whatever pain it causes, it’s better than letting you have your way with us now. So go on, J.R., call Lucy.

J.R.: That’s no reason to upset the little girl.

GARY: No, especially not since Mom and Dad will come down so hard on you for it.

J.R.: Well, that’s figured in my thinking. I’ll admit it. What’s in the envelope, Gary?

GARY: Oh, a few reference notes for our debate.

J.R.: I know you found something snooping around in my office yesterday. And I know I’ve been had by that pretty girl Karen, but –

GARY: First time I’ve ever seen the beauty of being named a Ewing.

J.R.: Give me the envelope.

GARY: I’m not afraid of you, J.R. Not here.

J.R.: Well, you better be afraid for your near and dear because I’m gonna use every ounce of my power to break you, Gary. I swear it.

GARY: The surveys you did and the discovery of an alternate drilling site onshore, out of the way.

J.R.: Do you realize how much money that’s gonna cost us?

GARY: So you make 15 million the first five years instead of 20.

J.R.: That’s Ewing money. It’s your mother and your father’s.

GARY: I think they can get by on 15 million. Cut a few corners.

He begins walking away. J.R. grabs his arm and faces him.

J.R.: Gary, don’t use that survey.

GARY: I’m gonna. Nothing short of a rainout is gonna stop me. And J.R., it never rains in Southern California.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Community Spirit, Joan Van Ark, Knots Landing, Larry Hagman, Ted Shackelford

The Art of Knots Landing: ‘Pilot’

June 4, 2012 by Chris Baker Leave a Comment

Valene and Karen (Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee) are seen in this 1979 publicity shot from “Knots Landing’s” pilot.

Filed Under: Art of Dallas, Art of Dallas (Classic), Features Tagged With: Joan Van Ark, Knots Landing, Michele Lee

Knots Landing Scene of the Day: ‘Knots Landing’s Just a Place’

June 4, 2012 by Chris Baker Leave a Comment

Dallas, Gary Ewing, Joan Van Ark, Knots Landing, Pilot, Ted Shackelford

The day the running stopped

In “Knots Landing’s” pilot, new residents Gary and Valene (Ted Shackelford, Joan Van Ark) walk toward their house after witnessing Sid fighting with Annie.

GARY: Come on, it’s OK. We’ll talk about it while we unpack? Uh, we are gonna unpack, aren’t we? [They stop and face each other.] Val, I’ve been running all my life. I’ve gotta stop sometime.

VAL: This place is not … we can’t…. I don’t know.

GARY: Hell, Valene. Knots Landing’s just a place. Look, I can’t run anymore. This is my last chance not to run.

They walk into the house.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Joan Van Ark, Knots Landing, Ted Shackelford

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Not Like We Used To’

June 1, 2012 by Chris Baker Leave a Comment

Barbara Bel Geddes, Dallas, Jim Davis, Jock Ewing, Love and Marriage

Picture imperfect

In “Love and Marriage,” a third-season “Dallas” episode, Jock (Jim Davis) finds Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes) on the Southfork patio, gazing at the night sky.

JOCK: You all right, Miss Ellie? Get you a sweater or something?

ELLIE: No, Jock. Thanks.

JOCK: Well, it’s getting kind of nippy out. Be winter soon.

ELLIE: Too soon.

JOCK: Well, it’s sure quiet here around tonight. Even Lucy’s out.

ELLIE: It’s too quiet. I like it better when there’s family around. We’re all drifting apart, Jock. It’s not at all the way I pictured it.

JOCK: How did you picture it, Miss Ellie?

ELLIE: Oh, I don’t know. Seeing it the way it was when the boys were growing up. Only there’d be our grandchildren. The two of us here with the boys and their families. One very large, happy family.

JOCK: Well, we’ve got Lucy, little baby John, Bobby, J.R. Gary’s doing fine in California. Bobby’s going into business with J.R. It’ll give us more time to be together. To do the things that we’ve talked about and never did.

ELLIE: Maybe that’s something else we pictured that won’t ever happen.

JOCK: Why not, Miss Ellie? I loved you all these years and I want to end up my life with you. It’s a time of life that I’ve been looking forward to.

ELLIE: I wish I could feel that way.

JOCK: But you should Ellie. No matter what else has happened, we’ve still got each other. Remember that.

ELLIE: Not like we used to. [She walks away.]

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Barbara Bel Geddes, Jim Davis, Love and Marriage

Dallas Styles: The Colors of ‘Return Engagements’

May 31, 2012 by Chris Baker Leave a Comment

Green, green glow of home

When “Return Engagements”begins, Miss Ellie is sitting in her missing son Gary’s bedroom, leafing through pictures he drew as a child. It’s a fitting opening. At times, this episode looks more like a Crayola production than something Lorimar made.

The actors and sets in “Return Engagement” are splashed with bright colors, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence. The hues seem to offer clues to help the audience better understand the Ewings and their predicaments.

The most striking examples are found in Val’s stylish living room, which brims with blues and greens. The sofa is navy, the walls are aqua and leafy plants abound.

The soothing blues let us know Val’s life is less turbulent than in her previous “Dallas” appearances, while the greenery suggests her fortunes are rising. We don’t know what Val is doing professionally these days, but this doesn’t look like the home of someone scraping by on waitressing tips.

Blue is also used to signal Miss Ellie’s changing moods. When a saddened Ellie looks at Gary’s childhood drawings, she wears a light blue blouse. At the end of “Return Engagements,” when true-blue Ellie delivers her moving monologue and admits she didn’t do enough to help Gary and Val keep Lucy, she wears a navy suit.

Peachy, but not so keen

In “Return Engagements,” we also learn Gary and Val have renewed their romance, making her apartment their sanctuary during his secret visits to Dallas. Perhaps to signify the couple’s enduring love, the show makes Val’s bedroom wall-to-wall peach, a symbol of immortality in Chinese mythology.

Other uses of color in this episode: In the first act, J.R., his morals as muddied as ever, is covered hat to boots in brown, while jealous Kristin sports a green polo shirt when she finds J.R. cozying up to Sally Bullock.

Speaking of the Bullocks: Crotchety Mr. Eugene and gold-digging Sally don’t sport anything particularly bright in this episode, but that’s OK. With personalities as colorful as theirs, who cares what they wear?

Filed Under: Dallas Styles, Dallas Styles (Classic), Features Tagged With: Return Engagements

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘I Should’ve Fought Them’

May 31, 2012 by Chris Baker 1 Comment

Barbara Bel Geddes, Dallas, Miss Ellie Ewing, Return Engagements

Don’t you tell her what she has to do

In “Return Engagements,” a third-season “Dallas” episode, Miss Ellie and Bobby (Barbara Bel Geddes, Patrick Duffy) help Gary and Valene (Ted Shackelford, Joan Van Ark) prepare for their wedding.

ELLIE: Bobby, have you got the tickets?

BOBBY: No, Pamela’s bringing them with the judge.

GARY: Uh, what tickets?

ELLIE: Well, you wanted to settle in California, didn’t you?

GARY: Yeah, but you don’t have to pay for the plane fare.

ELLIE: Don’t you tell me what I have to do. Anyway, the tickets aren’t your present. [Hands him photos of houses] Bobby’s going to fly to California and show you the houses.

They sit.

GARY: I, I don’t get it. [Looks at Val]

ELLIE: Whichever house you like best is yours.

GARY: No, Mama.

ELLIE: And if you don’t like any of them, find another.

VAL: Miss Ellie, we, we couldn’t.

GARY: Mama, we wanna be on our own.

ELLIE: Did you wanna be on your own when you left Southfork? Or did your daddy and J.R. drive you off? You tried to stand on your own feet when you had Lucy – and your family kicked your heels right out from under you.

VAL: But Miss Ellie, we owe you so much. You raised Lucy.

ELLIE: Yes, I raised her. I raised her because the Ewings made it impossible for you to raise her. But I shouldn’t have. I should’ve fought them. I didn’t. I did nothing. Do you think my giving you a house is fair payment? I don’t. If you want to refuse it, refuse it because the gift is small. Otherwise, take it. Please take it.

Gary takes her hand and squeezes.

Filed Under: Dallas Scenes of the Day, Dallas Scenes of the Day (Classic), Features Tagged With: Barbara Bel Geddes, Joan Van Ark, Patrick Duffy, Return Engagements, Ted Shackelford