But if we HAD to re-cast Miss Ellie...

[Jock Ewing Fan]

Not all ranchers and oil barons are the same, though. Jock was a roughneck. You can take the man out of the oil field, but you can't always take the oil field out of the man.

In contrast to Dynasty's Blake Carrington, Jock wasn't impressed by opulence or having a fashionable wife.

Clayton was more refined, but even he seemed to appreciate Miss Ellie's down to earth sensibilities.


That's certainly true, but Miss Ellie was popular enough that her recasting was controversial.

I like the George Carlin quote

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

While Nancy Olsen failed to convince as a matriarch in Paper Doll, there were three other actresses I liked as female heads of families in 80s soaps: Jean Simmons and Inga Swenson in North & South and Barbara Rush in Flamingo Road. Can you imagine any of them as a recast of Miss Ellie?

The greatest matriarch of all was Victoria Barkley, portrayed by the great Barbara Stanwyck
Victoria was strong, independent,intelligent, tough minded and the proverbial 'force to be reckoned with"
She was also gracious, loyal, supportive, compassionate and loving to her daughter Audra and all her sons, including Tom Barkley's son, Heath
She also dressed like a wealthy woman, and was respected by all in the town
Miss Ellie's 'strength' seemed only when she had Jock or Clayton supporting her.
Victoria Barkley led a ranch of alpha males, all by herself

 

[Toni]

I think that's because of Digger's limited appearances. I preferred David Wayne in the role, but he only appeared in 4 episodes. As for Kenan Wynn, he was in 10 episodes.

And while they were certainly quite different from each other, I think Wynn managed to maintain the essence of the character without being a carbon copy. Wynn's Digger was still a slovenly, bitter alcoholic, although his delivery was a bit cartoony at times. Still, the character's basic traits remained intact. That wasn't the case for Reed's Miss Ellie.

I would put it down like this: David´s Digger was HBO material, while Keenan´s was more Lifetime...

 

[Toni]

Maybe a similar last name (Wayne vs. Wynn) may helped the two Diggers a little, while Bel Geddes is very different from the surname Reed.
Obviously I'm joking.

Bel Geddes sounds royal. Reed sounds (Disney) royal...

 

[Seaviewer]

Jock Ewing was both an Oil Baron and a rancher

Yes, but Miss Ellie was a rancher in her own right, not by marriage.

Jock was a roughneck.

That's certainly true, maybe if he'd still been there when Donna came in she would have made different choice. On the other hand, if Jock was still there, they wouldn't have needed to recast Ellie. Instead, we would probably have eventually seen Jock shopping around for a second wife.

 

[Rove]

Miss Ellie's 'strength' seemed only when she had Jock or Clayton supporting her.

Not so. When Miss Ellie returned to Dallas without Jock while he visited South America (and we later discover why) the writers suddenly thrust the character of Miss Ellie front and centre. And Barbara Bel Geddes had the acting chops to match. Case in point...

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

Not so. When Miss Ellie returned to Dallas without Jock while he visited South America (and we later discover why) the writers suddenly thrust the character of Miss Ellie front and centre. And Barbara Bel Geddes had the acting chops to match. Case in point...

I didn't see that way It was more a case of Mis Ellie's welfare was being directly effected,
so her interest and Ewing Oil's interest were the same.
And it was a rare exception, rather than a consistency across the rest of the series
And I just don't think that all those oil men would be so easily handled.
I could see Barbara Stanwyck or Jane Wyman being more formidable, not so much BBG

Agree to disagree. Be Well

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

I would put it down like this: David´s Digger was HBO material, while Keenan´s was more Lifetime...

Interesting perspective. Both terrific actors. I think the script and story direction necessitated a change to a "softer" Digger

 

[Rove]

Agree to disagree

It's why I love this forum. We all see things differently when it comes to a series like Dallas but we can share those thoughts in a calm and rationale environment.

 

[Toni]

It's why I love this forum. We all see things differently when it comes to a series like Dallas but we can share those thoughts in a calm and rationale environment.

Sure?

​

 

[xab]

While Nancy Olsen failed to convince as a matriarch in Paper Doll, there were three other actresses I liked as female heads of families in 80s soaps: Jean Simmons and Inga Swenson in North & South and Barbara Rush in Flamingo Road. Can you imagine any of them as a recast of Miss Ellie?

I never watched Paper Dolls (it never aired in France) but let's not forget an actor/tress depends on the writing and the directing. And I certainly know what I am talking about. Pamela Anderson just proved she could achieve much more than everybody thought she could. It's not about talent, it's about alchemy. Every Academy Award Ceremony proves that. Every year.
Nancy Olson could have been a fitting recast. When there's a will, there's a way.
For whatever reasons, drastic changes were made to Donna Reed's Miss Ellie, but I can't believe Donna Reed demanded the outfits she wore, the make-up she wore. I don't think she demanded anything.
Or did she ?

 

[Seaviewer]

a second wife.

Of course It would have been Jock's third wife. How could I forget Amanda?

 

[Rove]

Sarcasm? I wouldn't visit this site otherwise. I like constructive banter better than anyone...but the moment it becomes personal I'm out of here. And I would never say a bad word about Miss Piggy...never.

 

[lbf522]

Not so. When Miss Ellie returned to Dallas without Jock while he visited South America (and we later discover why) the writers suddenly thrust the character of Miss Ellie front and centre. And Barbara Bel Geddes had the acting chops to match. Case in point...

I loved it when Ellie was like Victoria Barkley and hated it when the writers ruined it by having her remarry.

 

[Chris2]

How about Madame?

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

I loved it when Ellie was like Victoria Barkley and hated it when the writers ruined it by having her remarry.

I don't think Miss Ellie was ever like Victoria Barkley

Victoria was strong, tough-minded and authoritative, yet also a loving mother to ALL her children, including her husband's son, Heath.
She was also compassionate, supportive and ethical.
Miss Ellie was only 'strong' when she had Jock or Clayton.
Unlike Miss Ellie, Victoria Barkley didn't whine whenever the family business had issues. She stood with the family,
instead of trying to sell the business (twice)

Victoria Barkley led a ranch of 3 alpha males with strength,wisdom and kindness.


Victoria Barkley was also respectful and loyal to her husband's legacy
She never would have attempted to sell her husband's company or give away half of his property to
another man. depriving their sons of their inheritance if she predeceased her spouse.
Or give away all his property to a long-lost relative who never worked that property.

The great Barbara Stanwyck is still the greatest matriarch ever.

 

[Frank Underwood]

Of course It would have been Jock's third wife. How could I forget Amanda?

And Amanda was recast the same season Miss Ellie was!

 

[southfork88]

Which Amanda do you prefer?
I just re-watched the first one in the 1979-1980 season.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

Not so. When Miss Ellie returned to Dallas without Jock while he visited South America (and we later discover why) the writers suddenly thrust the character of Miss Ellie front and centre. And Barbara Bel Geddes had the acting chops to match. Case in point...

Unfortunately, I don't think Katzman wanted Miss Ellie to be in-your-face like that.

 

[Toni]

Which Amanda do you prefer?
I just re-watched the first one in the 1979-1980 season.

There was no comparison because the writing for Amanda #2 was abysmal. Suddenly she was a kind Grandma type who "happened" to be in a mental hospital and kept all her things from her past. It would be unfair to criticize the second actress because of that, she has played similar roles before and after.

​

Lesley Woods was just perfect in her only scene as Amanda in "Wheeler Dealer" (one of my favorite "Dallas" episodes ever). And also partly because of the masterful writing of DOOL alum Barbara Searles in her ONLY script for the show. It´s all so emotional and unexpected, we didn´t really know too much about her illness, which is also another groundbreaking issue covered by "Dallas". The score, Jim, Patrick and Barbara´s acting ,and the way it was filmed had nothing to do with that Season 8 episode. Oh and Victoria looked gorgeous in it, though reminiscent of her future impersonator Margaret Michaels.

​

Slightly off-topic: Diane Franklin is the only actress who played Amanda still alive today and is on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/actressdianefranklin/

Keeping that beautiful, sweet smile...​