Oh, ha!, looks like I'd already said that a page or two back!Thanks for all the photos, @southfork88 !
I think in the last two or three years of DALLAS, I'd like to see Southfork decorated almost like a haunted house: Victorian furniture, brown interior wood frame and mouldings, rich colors for the wallpaper.
I knew when they were filming Southfork on the soundstage. I could see the seam in the backdrop and the clouds never moved.If you are a behind-the-scenes geek like me, then I'll give you the cheat code for how you know this was filmed on the soundstage in California rather than on location in Texas:
This is a great still of Miss Ellie in the dining room. They say a picture paints a thousand words. This image alone could warrant a novel.Very ghostly:
Oh, ha!, looks like I'd already said that a page or two back!
Indeed, the Southfork dining room's decor improved over time, here in 1991. I noticed the chandelier was gone by this time.
It's what I really liked about Lorimar Dallas. The cinematographer created depth of field to give Southfork an idea it was a mansion, when really it wasn't. I also like how scenes were created to move the family from the living to the dining room or vice versa. Watching a family migrate like this gave me a sense the Ewing family had class. The interior of TNT Southfork was just like the series...soulless.Look at the picture above, and notice the opening where we can peek into the living room. It is a subtle, "Hmm... I wonder what's going on in that room back there?"
And this is another thing the writers got right. Land around Texas (outside of Houston and Dallas) is dirt cheap, if you'll excuse the obvious pun. Heating costs are also low (free for many of us who have natural gas wells nearby). What this means is that you don't have to be rich to own and maintain a large home out here.I also like how scenes were created to move the family from the living to the dining room or vice versa.
That's a great observation. The only time I'd see Raul or Theresa in the living room was when extended families/friends were gathering or Theresa had picked up the telephone and was announcing the caller wished to speak with such or such.This is where many of the family discussions and decisions take place. Also notice that Raul and Theresa are not usually serving drinks or snacks in the family room. This area is for family members to feel free to discuss any and all events of the day.
And wouldn't something like this be lovely for, say, the reboot?
Too barren:
Much better: