Between the Lines and Behind the Scenes of "Dallas"
Thirty-five years ago tonight, “Dallas” delivered one of its greatest moments: the conversation where J.R. and Sue Ellen reminisce about their courtship. The scene, which occurred at the end of the fourth-season episode “New Beginnings,” represented a rare cease-fire between two characters who are usually at war with each other. The exchange also showcased the magical […]
J.R. (Larry Hagman) asks Valene (Joan Van Ark) to sign his copy of “Capricorn Crude,” her novel inspired by the Ewings, in this 1982 publicity shot from “New Beginnings,” a fourth-season “Knots Landing” episode.
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. […]
“New Beginnings” is chockablock with trivia. Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy both guest star in this “Knots Landing” episode, the only time two marquee players from “Dallas” appear in the same hour of the spinoff series. (Eric Farlow, who was little Christopher Ewing on “Dallas,” pops up too, along with Philip Levien, who had two […]
In the fourth-season “Dallas” episode “New Beginnings,” J.R. and Sue Ellen recall their meeting at the Miss Texas beauty pageant, where he was a judge and she was a contestant. The conversation is warm and nostalgic – until Kristin calls and announces she has given birth to J.R.’s son. This triggers a chain reaction that […]
Larry Hagman made magic every time he appeared on “Dallas,” so coming up with a definitive list of his greatest scenes feels like an impossible task. Instead, let’s just call this a list of 15 performances I love. 15. Welcome to the family. On the day Bobby brings Pam (Victoria Principal) home to Southfork and introduces […]
“Dallas’s” fourth season was the show’s most-watched. Is it also the best? Performances In Season 4, J.R. recovers from an assassination attempt, learns to walk again and suffers a humiliating exile from Ewing Oil. Through it all, Larry Hagman never misses a beat. The actor takes us deeper into J.R.’s psyche, revealing vulnerabilities we never dreamed […]
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