[gator]

It's Mama's Day, Bunchers, and G-Girl's waiting for her surf and turf...after I've performed an extended "honey do" list since early a.m.---I'm covered (or...am I 'safe'? Either way.....)

The story from Fri night had to do with our Film Club's resident 'psychos' on the subject of Miss D: Jeff and Mike. They viewed Episodes 3, 4, and 5 of the "Dallas" 8th season, and got a lesson tapering their perception of D's acting abilities. Prior to this, they had only seen "Sins..." and "Nemesis"...2 of her 'better' performances to be sure. But, they've never seen (by now, they have, cuz I gave them each "Hunk" and "Bloodtide"...they flipped for titles) her 'lower grade' work.

Point is: they'll learn how to love and support their icon in a more "balanced", and maybe, mature level...kinda' like caring for someone, DESPITE their flaws, which is, as we should know, the ONLY way to have a solid relationship with anyone...on any level. These gentlemen are intelligent, self-made adults, that had to get slapped out of their addictive dream. Their appreciation for the arts is second to none, and now they can 'balance' their perception of Our Girl....YES! sometimes Miss D can be in a 'stinker', and ACT like a stinker, just to fit in.

For the record: "Dallas" was made during a time in American television when quality had been left behind, dating to the late 60's. Thereafter, it was an assembly line of mindless, unimaginative, and forgettable projects, with "Dallas" being an anomoly, of sorts, for reasons unknown...blind luck. I mean, c'mon: "who shot JR????"...what a useless, international stir on that one. It was silly BACK THEN, much less now, with such high quality products in the last generation that have improved our pallets.

But, it is releaving to know that Miss Shelton only had to act her way thru such a series on the same level as the rest of the cast...shallow and superficial. Even Donna Reed doesn't demonstrate any portion of her Oscar-winning talent in her scenes. It was written that way...it was directed that way...and it's performed that way. This 'zebra' has the correct stripes.

It will be VERY interesting to see the new series, with a new generation of more advanced, young talent, and members of the Old Guard in the mix. With better scripts, and talented directing, we are all hopeful that the Vets will expose their "A" side, and blend beautifully with their hot shot colleagues.......THAT is why it's imperative that Our Girl gets back on that show. We've seen her better side in higher grade films, and this venue will provide her an outlet to start a new road in her career, one that will carry her to neverbeforeseen roles that will identify her as an "A" actress...finally. We have faith that she has it in her, and THAT is being a "fan"

At least, Jeff and Mike know that now.

OTR again tomorrow, Bunchmeisters. Get back to you Memorial Day weekend. Stay safe, and well (you too, Papa G) til then. If anything major happens, G-Girl, or Eric, will relay.

Asta la bye bye...G-Man  (gotta light those coals now...nothing worse than a hungary Hungarian)

[gator]

P.S.----one more point that was raised: Yeah, Miss S is no spring chicken any more, (from what we've seen, she's as gorgeous as ever for 63, with no visible "work"...from the neck up, anyway. No secret as to other past projects...great figure).

But...from the artistic perception, and as to her possible watershed moments in any particular performance in the future, at HER age, I can only spit out some names......Christopher Plummer....Max Von Sydow....Dame Judith Anderson.....Dame Maggie Smith...Jean Stapleton (Broadway)...and, most notably, Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson.

Case closed....NOT an issue.

[Erik]

Nice post, an interesting perspective. Thanks for taking the trouble to compose it twice... 

FWIW, I might just add that television was relatively *low* budget in those days, and for a night-time soap like Dallas,  most scenes were shot in 1 to 2 takes, and then the director moved on - there simply wasn't the time or $$$ to get it right every time.

As far as Deborah's acting goes, too bad she didn't have the acting chops she has today back then, during the prime of her career... 

[gator]

Well, Bro...let's call this a 'double-header' career, then. We'll see how she plays Game 2 (if she has the right people in the dugout..."get her in the game, Coach").

THX for the mag.

[Garland English]

Hi gator and hi Gail,thanks for the info and have a nice trip.I hope she will be back in something.

[gator]

Hey Papa...see you're on line....THIS time for sure....tomorrow...OK ???

[Garland English]

Hi gator and Gail,today is tomorrow,what is it?

[gator]

By now, you KNOW what "what is it" is. (say that fast 10 times).

We've talked already....enjoy your nap, Papa. Back to you soon.

D-Man