Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘I Don’t Know Where It’s Gonna End’

May 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Barbara Bel Geddes, Dallas, Digger Barnes, Keenan Wynn, Rodeo

Memory lane

In “Rodeo,” a third-season “Dallas” episode, Miss Ellie and Digger (Barbara Bel Geddes, Keenan Wynn) stroll together alongside a fence at Southfork.

DIGGER: All those months in California put some money in my pocket. Made me remember how good it feels to work hard and get paid for it. I have been on the wagon ever since.

ELLIE: And have you stopped blaming Jock for every evil that’s ever befallen you? Is that why you’re here?

DIGGER: Look, Ellie, I never held you responsible. You know that. You did what you had to do – and I respected you for it.

ELLIE: So did Jock, Digger. I wish you’d remember that part about what happened. It worries me, all this bad feeling dragging on. What happened between you and Jock was bad enough, but now your boy and mine. They’re out for blood, both of them. I don’t know where it’s gonna end. It frightens me. [Pauses] Digger, why are you here?

DIGGER: [Smiles] To see that beautiful new grandson of yours.

She kisses him, pats him on the back and they continue walking.

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

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘You’ve Got a Grandson’

May 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Cliff Barnes, Dallas, Digger Barnes, Keenan Wynn, Ken Kercheval, Lost Child

Sad men

In “The Lost Child,” a third-season “Dallas” episode, Cliff and Digger (Ken Kercheval, Keenan Wynn) walk out of the hospital after visiting Pam, who has suffered a miscarriage.

CLIFF: You feel OK?

DIGGER: A little sad.

CLIFF: About Pam?

DIGGER: And you.

CLIFF: Me? You don’t have to worry about me. I’m fine. We’re both fine.

DIGGER: I wanted a grandchild, that’s the truth of it.

They sit together on a bench.

CLIFF: You’ll have one. Pam and Bobby will probably adopt and you’ll be a grandfather before you know it.

DIGGER: That ain’t the same thing. It’s the end of the Barnes line. You’re the last one.

CLIFF: You’ll have a grandchild. Maybe he won’t look like you, but I can think of a lot worse things. [Smiles]

DIGGER: You don’t know what it’s like to grow old. When a man’s got nothing left but his children, his children’s children.

CLIFF: There’s no sense in talking about it, because it’s not gonna change anything.

DIGGER: Cliff, you ain’t got nobody. Who’s gonna be looking after you when you get old?

CLIFF: I’ll take care of myself, just like I always have.

DIGGER: Son, if a man’s not a father, he’s gonna be a child the rest of his life.

CLIFF: I don’t wanna listen to this. [Gets up, turns his back to Digger]

DIGGER: My whole life, I never got one thing I wanted, except you.

CLIFF: [Faces Digger, still standing] You’ve got a grandson. [Digger nods.] I’m telling you, you’ve got a grandson. John Ross Ewing III.

DIGGER: J.R.’s boy?

CLIFF: Not J.R.’s son. Sue Ellen and I had an affair last year. That baby’s mine.

DIGGER: Yours? And you let Jock Ewing have him, huh? Well, he ain’t gonna keep him. They’ll keep him over my dead body.

CLIFF: Daddy, please.

DIGGER: That’s my grandson. And he’s not gonna steal him like he stole everything else from me.

CLIFF: Daddy, just hold on. I’ll get him back, I promise. If he lives.

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

The Art of Dallas: ‘The Dove Hunt’

May 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment

J.R. (Larry Hagman) comes under fire during a hunting trip in this 1979 publicity shot from “The Dove Hunt,” a third-season “Dallas” episode.

Filed Under: Art of Dallas, Art of Dallas (Classic), Features Tagged With: ,

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘I Owe You, That’s All’

May 18, 2012 by 1 Comment
Dallas, Dove Hunt, Jim Davis, Jock Ewing, J.R. Ewing, Larry Hagman

Down and out in Land Down

In “The Dove Hunt,” a third-season “Dallas” episode, an injured Jock and J.R. (Jim Davis, Larry Hagman) come face to face with Tom Owens (Robert J. Wilke), the man who attacked their campsite, and Owens’ son Dan and friend Ben Masters (Thomas Callaway, Stefan Gierasch).

JOCK: What do you want?

OWENS: You still don’t remember, Ewing. You steal a man’s farm, wipe him out, you still don’t remember.

JOCK: Now you look, mister –

OWENS: Owens.

JOCK: Owens, I do business with a lot of people.

OWENS: Thirty-two years ago, you came to my farm, personally. We stood as close as we are right now. You tried to get me to sell. When I wouldn’t, you spread some money around – and suddenly, nobody would buy my crops.

JOCK: All right, maybe I did lean on you too hard. But it seems to me you’ve waited a hell of a long time to get revenge.

OWENS: I didn’t want revenge. I wanted to spit in your eye.

JOCK: Then what’s all this?

OWENS: You crushed me like a bug – and after 32 years, you don’t even remember my name. You’re gonna pay for that. [Cocks his gun] My boy and I had to start all over again from nothing in Land Down.

MASTERS: Mr. Owens has made a lot of friends around here, you –

JOCK: The kind of friends that ambush people.

DAN: They all know my father’s story and who ruined him in Texas. Nobody’s gonna feel sorry for whatever happens here.

JOCK: So that’s it? You’re gonna kill me in cold blood, huh?

J.R.: Maybe we could make a deal, sir.

JOCK: No, J.R. [Leans forward] All right, Owens. Come on. If you’re gonna do it, do it!

OWENS: [Aims his rifle at Jock, holds it for several seconds, then lowers it] I can’t. I’m not a killer. When I thought you were gonna shoot my boy, I was gonna kill you. You got away with it. Give the devil his due.

Bobby and Ray (Patrick Duffy, Steve Kanaly) arrive and aim their guns at Owens’ group.

BOBBY: All right, drop your guns! We’ll blow you away! [The other men lower their guns; Bobby and Ray run toward them.]

RAY: Back up, both of you. Come on!

BOBBY: You all right, Daddy?

JOCK: I’m OK, Bobby.

J.R.: You bring a sheriff?

BOBBY: There’s no law in Land Down – and damn little help.

RAY: Forget that two-bit town. Let’s run these jokers down to state police.

JOCK: No need to involve the law here. I’m not bringing any charges.

BOBBY: Daddy, they tried to kills us.

J.R.: They should be put away, Dad.

JOCK: Just a hunting accident. Happens all the time.

OWENS: What are you trying to pull?

JOCK: Nothing. I owe you, that’s all. Back in those days, I ran roughshod over a lot of people. I don’t remember you, Owens. But I should have. Because you got a lot of pride. And when you get right down to it, that’s all a man can take to his grave. You made me think, Owens. Maybe this business has become too impersonal. J.R., we get back to town, there’s some records we’re going to go over. There might be some housecleaning we’ve got to do.

J.R.: Dad, you’re gonna need some rest, after you’ve been tended to. You lost a lot of blood.

JOCK: I’ll manage, J.R. Ray, Bobby, give them back their guns.

OWENS: This ain’t gonna buy you a place in heaven, Ewing.

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

The Art of Dallas: ‘The Kristin Affair’

May 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Kristin and J.R. (Mary Crosby, Larry Hagman) flirt with each other in this 1979 publicity shot from “The Kristin Affair,” a third-season “Dallas” episode.

Filed Under: Art of Dallas, Art of Dallas (Classic), Features Tagged With: , ,

Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘Mama, I Remember Everything’

May 17, 2012 by 1 Comment
Dallas, Kristin Affair, Kristin Shepard, Martha Scott, Mary Crosby, Patricia Shepard

Coded language

In “The Kristin Affair,” a third-season “Dallas” episode, Patricia and Kristin (Martha Scott, Mary Crosby) return to their hotel after having dinner with the Ewings at Southfork.

PATRICIA: J.R.’s such a fine man. The way he stands behind Sue Ellen. [Kristin takes Patricia’s shawl as the older woman puts her keys in her purse] Lately, that hasn’t been easy. Kristin, someday you’ll find a man like that just for yourself.

KRISTIN: I think that’s possible, Mama. Quite possible.

PATRICIA: Now, I’m going to leave tomorrow – and you’ll be entirely on your own. [Sits on the sofa, places her purse on the coffee table] I know I can trust you to remember all the things I’ve taught you, like watching for the right opportunity.

KRISTIN: Mama, I remember everything you’ve taught me. [Sits next to Patricia]

PATRICIA: So then wherever I am, I can be relaxed knowing that you’ll never do anything to harm your sister. I’m worried about Sue Ellen. Keep an eye on her, dear. Keep me informed.

KRISTIN: I don’t think she’s been succeeding too well with J.R.

PATRICIA: Sue Ellen may be a little depressed right now. That often happens after giving birth. But if it turns out she’s not entirely happy with the life J.R. has to offer –

KRISTIN: Well, above all, we want Sue Ellen to be happy.

PATRICIA: Of course, dear. We could give her all the love and support she’d need to start a new life elsewhere. I’d certainly miss having a son-in-law like J.R. [Chuckles] I’ve never met a man who enjoys the chase as much as he does. Almost more than winning.

KRISTIN: Why don’t you let me worry about J.R. Ewing?

PATRICIA: Whatever you do, Kris, it’ll be the right thing for all of us.

KRISTIN: You can trust me, Mama. I won’t let you down.

PATRICIA: I know you won’t.

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

Dallas Styles: Lucy’s Pigtails

May 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Cute!

Pigtails were a fashion trend on television in the 1970s. Melissa Gilbert famously wore them on “Little House on the Prairie,” but the style wasn’t just for kids. Louise Lasser was almost always seen in tight braids on “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,” while Suzanne Somers sometimes sported double ponytails on “Three’s Company.”

Lucy hops on the pigtails bandwagon during “Dallas’s” third season. The look makes her trendy, but there are probably practical reasons for this, too. Charlene Tilton mostly wears the style during outdoor scenes at Southfork, where the tight braids undoubtedly protected her hair from the Texas wind during location shoots.

Lucy’s pigtails also reflect the show’s inability to decide if the character is a girl or a woman. In “Secrets,” Lucy is wearing pigtails when her mother Valene tries to comfort her, only to have Lucy smack away Val’s hand. This is a childish act, yet Lucy is no child. After all, the scene takes place on the college campus where she is a student.

The pigtails hold other symbolic value. In the “Secrets” scene, Joan Van Ark wears her hair in two loose ponytails, so having Lucy mimic Val’s style offers a subtle reminder of the characters’ connection.

Whatever the reason for Lucy’s pigtails, one thing is certain: Tilton looks darn cute in them. Still, I wish “Dallas” would have treated her character more like a grownup – hairstyle and all.

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

The Art of Dallas: ‘Secrets’

May 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Valene (Joan Van Ark) turns to Bobby (Patrick Duffy) for help in this 1979 publicity shot from “Secrets,” a third-season “Dallas” episode.

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Dallas Scene of the Day: ‘It Won’t Work Anymore, J.R.’

May 16, 2012 by 3 Comments
Dallas, Joan Van Ark, Secrets, Valene Ewing

No tell motel

In “Secrets,” a third-season “Dallas” episode, Valene (Joan Van Ark) answers a knock on her motel room door. It’s J.R. (Larry Hagman).

J.R.: Hello, Valene. I never thought I’d see you back here again.

VAL: How’d you find me?

J.R.: [Enters, closes the door behind him, looks around the room] Oh, it wasn’t too hard. Once I heard you were back in town, I just had some of my friends check out some of the cheaper motels. Figured you’d be living you’ve been accustomed to and sure enough, here you are.

VAL: [Opens the door, stands next to it] Get the hell out of here.

J.R.: Now, what do I have to do to get you to stay away from us? I warned you not to come back to Dallas.

VAL: [Steps away from the open door] I just wanna see Lucy.

J.R.: I bet you do. I’ll bet you I know why, too.

VAL: Oh, no. You would never understand why. Not in a million years.

J.R.: [Sits on the edge of the bed] Well, I do understand that you and that drunken brother of mine would do just about anything to live in Southfork again. Get a slice of the pie, before it’s too late.

VAL: You think money’s the answer to everything, don’t you?

J.R.: I think it’s an answer to you. And I think you’re using Lucy to get at it.

VAL: Well, I don’t care what you think – because you’re wrong! And I’m not leaving here until I do see Lucy!

J.R.: No, honey. You’re wrong. You’re leaving here before nightfall.

VAL: Get out of here, J.R. I swear I’ll call the police if you don’t!

J.R.: [Grins] Well, I like your sense of humor. Now, go on, pack your little bags. You’ll be out of here in about five minutes.

VAL: All right. And if I don’t?

J.R.: Well, if you don’t, I’ll have a friend of mine escort you out of town and keep you out. Permanently.

VAL: It won’t work anymore, J.R. I have run from you for the last time. There’s nothing left for you to do to me. I’ve got nothing left to lose – except Lucy, and I’m not gonna lose her again!

J.R.: You’ve already lost her. You just don’t know it.

Bobby and Lucy (Patrick Duffy, Charlene Tilton) appear in the doorway.

BOBBY: I don’t think so, J.R.

J.R.: [Stands up] I was doing it for you, Lucy. I couldn’t stand to see her hurt you again.

LUCY: Thank you for standing up to him, Mama. [Walks to Val, embraces her]

BOBBY: Lucy, you just stay and talk to your mama as long as you want. When you’re done, you can bring my car home. [Tosses keys on the bed] J.R. will be glad to take me home. We have a lot of things to talk about, don’t we, J.R.? [Grabs him by the arm, moves him out of the room, shuts the door behind them]

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

Dallas Styles: Digger’s Hat

May 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment

He’s back, and he’s brought a hat

In “The Silent Killer,” Digger Barnes makes his first appearance on “Dallas” since “Double Wedding,” which debuted almost a year earlier. “The Silent Killer” also marks the debut of Digger’s hat, one of the character’s signatures.

The hat looks like a cheap fedora. Notably, it isn’t a Stetson, the chapeau style favored by most of the men on “Dallas.” This makes sense. After all, Digger has spent his life kicking around oil fields, not cow pastures.

“Dallas” completes Digger’s blue-collar look by dressing him in work shirts – either blue or white – along with white socks and dark pants and shoes. This is the look he sports most often during “Dallas’s” third season.

My favorite detail, though, is the eyeglass case he keeps in his front shirt pocket. When I was growing up, my dad carried his glasses in the front pocket of his work shirts, too, so this detail rings true to me. (Dad also favored white socks with dark pants, which I found horrifying when I was a teenager. Now I think it’s endearing.)

Interestingly, Digger’s glasses always remain in his pocket; we never see him wear them. This is too bad. If any “Dallas” character needs help seeing things more clearly, it’s poor old Digger Barnes.

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