Star Chat with....
Barbara A. Curran

Star Chat interviews enable YOU to ask questions to the Dallas actors and experts.

Barbara A Curran, author of the fantastic book '25 Years of Dallas' answered your questions.

'25 years of Dallas' provides the history of Dallas from the pilot and Seasons 1 through 13 and all three TV movies

Kristin (MrsJREwing) in Virginia Beach asks Barbara,
I love the book. It is full of such wonderful information. Would you ever do a book like the Ewing Family Album full of pictures that covers the whole series? I know that many people would love it.   

Barbara - Kristin, thanks for the compliment.  I certainly would consider a Family Album type of book.  I could not include studio photos (that is, pictures from episodes) in my book for legal reasons (Warner Brothers owns the scripts and the pictures, and one cannot reprint the pictures nor synopsize the episode storylines without a license from it) in “25 Years of Dallas.”  However, with “Return to Southfork” having aired, and making my book outdated already (!), a book such as you suggest would be appropriate.  I have had fleeting conversations with a few “Dallas” stars about collaborating on such a book, so we’ll see if anything develops.  

HENRY WILLIAMS in FORT WORTH, TEXAS asks :  Where is Barbara Bel Geddes? Why could you not interview her for the book? 

Barbara - Henry, Barbara is retired and lives in Maine.  I at one point was optimistic that I would be able to interview Barbara, especially after people like Victoria Principal and Priscilla Presley, who are almost as difficult to interview about “Dallas,” granted my interview requests.  In addition, Barbara’s granddaughter took an interest in the project, and I thought that might help secure an interview as well.  In the end, Barbara (who I believe did reconsider my request), declined, just as she declined Charlene’s and Henry Winker’s overtures about participating in “Return to Southfork.”  Simply stated, she treasures her privacy, and has chosen since leaving “Dallas” for the second time in 1990 to stay wholly out of the limelight.  From what the cast tells me, though, she was supportive of the others’ participation in “Return to Southfork,” and sent best wishes through Charlene to all of her former castmates.

Karl E. Atkins in Granbury, Texas asks:  Where can I buy your book. I don't know why, but I am infatuated with the Dallas Soap. So anything I can get my hands on related to the show is great. Thank you, Karl Atkins

Barbara - Karl, please visit www.virtualbookworm.com, which is probably the quickest way to order the book.  Amazon is a good alternative as well. 

Tonya Jan in Brooklyn N.Y.C asks What prompted you to write the book?

 Barbara - Thanks for your question, Tonya.  I used to practice law, but had stopped practicing law once the oldest of my three children was born.  As someone who had done a lot of researching, writing and interviewing when I worked, writing a book that was a history of one thing or another was a perfect way to exercise my skills while being a “stay at home Mom.”  I noticed at the time that TV show viewer guides seemed to be the rage, and “Dallas” had just returned to cable (on TNN), and was the perfect cultural icon from the 80s, which is when I was in high school and college.  It all came together, and Steve Kanaly and I were going to co-author the project, which he ultimately bowed out of once his acting obligations became too much (although he stayed very involved and was very supportive in an unofficial capacity, behind-the-scenes).

Jake in NY asks What was the most difficult part about writing the book?

Barbara - Tracking down all of the stars in the first place (or their agents), and then cutting through layers of agents, publicists, personal assistants, etc., to actually get to interview the stars was by far the most difficult part.  That was a saga in itself – one worth a whole different book!

Cindy J in UK asks Did you find any of the cast to be difficult during the interviews?

Barbara - The “Dallas” castmembers are wonderful!  Almost to a person, they were friendly, down-to-earth, accessible, and helpful.  Like any group of 50 people, there were one or two who seemed less so, but of course a writer is so grateful for even those individuals’ cooperation, that any attitude is overlooked, and happily so.  But I’ll never name names!

Pete Miller in Glasgow asks on the Dallas fans forum people say that politics created friction between Susan Howard and Larry Hagman.  Did you come across these beliefs which impacted the cast harmony? 

Barbara - Of all the things I talked about with the 50 or so stars I interviewed, politics was the one thing that never came up – with Larry or Susan or any others, so I cannot really shed light on that controversy.

Dee Williams in NJ asks Your book states that Victoria Principal was excited about her role without Bobby (Season 8), she felt in Bobby's shadow. I believe it was the other way round. Do you believe life without Bobby met Victoria’s expectations?

Barbara - My sense is that Victoria liked the challenged of carrying that part of the storyline alone, much like Pam was supposed to in the original pilot storyline, in which Bobby died, setting up a series as widow Pam against the Ewings.  Since Season 8 was a sub-par year for the show, however, I think Victoria, like all the other cast and crew, welcomed Patrick’s return.

Abs asks I love the book but do tell me what Victoria was supposed to do at the start of the Early Years move. Please. Thank you

Barbara -In David Jacobs’ original prelude, Pam pressed Miss Ellie to tell her the real story of the Jock-Digger feud.  Barbara Bel Geddes and Victoria were to film this brief introduction, but their scheduling and health problems resulted in their being replaced with Larry, who introduces the film by talking to a reporter/researcher about Jock’s and Digger’s feud.

JP in Maine asks How difficult was it to get Barbara Carrera involved in your book and how did you find speaking to her?

Barbara - Barbara was easy to reach, and enjoyable to speak with.  She had interesting information, but did not want to speak on the record about her feelings about the cast and her experience on the show.  I, of course, honored the terms of the discussion, thus do not quote her in the book.

 Loopy asks Did the cast act surprised that a book was being written 13 years after the show end? I am a big fan.

Barbara - Loopy, no one seem surprised – “Dallas” has never stopped being a cultural phenomenon, and no one recognizes this better than the castmembers!

Harry Denmore in London asks - The book is fantastic. My question is Why do you think Howard Keel would not support Barbara Bel Geddes regarding the bad plots they were given. This is pointed out in the book but not elaborated on.

Barbara - Harry, thanks for your kind words.  Howard felt that, as an actor, his job was to say what the writers put on paper, as approved by the producers.  I sensed that it was not so much a matter of not supporting Barbara, but recognizing that he was an actor, and that the writers had just a vital role in the production of the show – one he would not undermine in any way.

Sunsetbabe in CA asks In the book the cast make mixed feelings about the dream season, Larry H believes all the women are happy but Linda Gray, Priscilla P and Susan Howard are not pleased with Patrick Duffy's return. My question is that did you pick up that the women on Dallas thrived in the Season 8 episodes but became lesser players in the following seasons?

Barbara - By the time I interviewed Linda, Priscilla, Susan, etc., the general opinion seemed to be that, however much they liked their Season 8 storylines, it was wonderful to get Patrick back on the show and return to basics in Season 9.

Pamela in UK asks from your research and discussions with the cast at what point do you feel Dallas lost its edge?

Barbara - Everyone that I interviewed seemed to agree that the edge was lost during Season 8, regained in Season 9, and began to slip away again from Season 10 onwards.  I suppose I agree.  The vintage years, in my opinion, are the pilot and Seasons 1 through 7, with a few bright spots in Seasons 9 and 10.

Greg Miller asks Which person did enjoy to interview the best?

Barbara - Greg, this is unanswerable!  They were all wonderful.  But here are some random thoughts:  Larry was terrific in that once he came on board, a number of others followed.  Linda was warm, fun, genuine.  Victoria knocked me over simply be agreeing!  (Priscilla Presley as well).  Steve, of course, had long since become a friend.  Ken was a warm, witty interview subject, which for some reason caught me off guard.  Patrick was so eager to be helpful.  Charlene is bubbly and full of life. John Beck, Priscilla Pointer, Cathy Podewell, Sheree Wilson ---- all were just lovely, lovely folks (all the people I interviewed were).  Jared Martin was so thoughtful and insightful.  Morgan Brittany, Mary Crosby, and Susan Howard were so generous with their time – those stand in my memory as long interviews.  Joan Van Ark was an excellent interview subject – instant recall and great insights.  Audrey Landers and Jenilee Harrison were so very sweet.  Leigh McCloskey and Morgan Woodward are real gentlemen, and each spoke so movingly of Jim Davis.  I was always an “All My Children” fan, so what could be better than interviewing Susan Lucci? 

On what has now become, in light of Howard Keel's death this morning, the bittersweet day of the long-awaited "Dallas" reunion, I would like to pay tribute to Howard, who, along with is wife, were so gracious during my efforts to obtain interviews for my book.  Howard spent almost an hour, I believe, sharing his memories of Barbara Bel Geddes, Donna Reed, Jim Davis, Jared Martin, Linda Gray, and the rest of the cast.  He absolutely loved Linda Gray, and said she was so nice to him when he joined the cast (and that she was a wonderful actress as well).  He clearly respected both of his "Miss Ellie" leading ladies, and was an old friend of Jim Davis'.  I recall that Howard said that the producers sounded him out about replacing Jim Davis as Jock after Davis' death.  By then, Howard made an appearance as Clayton, and returned home to Oklahoma City.  He later heard that Davis had died (Howard had not known Davis was ill).  He said that he told the producers that he would not consider replacing Davis -- he was friends with Davis from way back, thought he was wonderful as Jock, and was not interested in taking Davis' role.  Howard was delighted when, to his surprise, the producers then asked him to return as Clayton.  He was not working then, and found the extended run a real pick-me-up.  To his delight the extended run turned into a permanent one when Clayton married Miss Ellie, and he stayed on the show for 11 years!  He liked all the cast, though shared a sentiment voiced by others like John Beck, Leigh McCloskey, and the like that, not having been there from the pilot and through the "Who Shot J.R.?" frenzy, it was difficult to be part of the group that had been through so much together from day one. I recall Linda Gray and Jared Martin, among others, raving to me about Howard, and I remember Margaret Michaels, who played Jeanne O'Brien in Season 12 and also made a single Season 11 appearance as Pam, raving about how Howard took her to lunch her first day on the "Dallas" set, displaying his typical gentlemanly manners and making her feel at home.  Susan Howard and Steve Kanaly also raved about what a good humored, gentle man Howard was, and how he broke into songs from his famed musical comedy career on the set.  It was a privilege to have included Mr. Keel among the interviewees for my book, and I send my condolences to his lovely wife, who was so kind to me as well.

I know I have left many great people out.  I also loved talking to Ed Kinney (the second and last Seth Stone), especially since his identity was such a mystery (even to Fern Fitzgerald, his on-screen wife!) and it took so long to find him and solve the mystery.  

MP asks How long did it take to put the book together, would you do one for other shows like Knots Landing or Falcon Crest?

Barbara - MP, it took about five years.  I would certainly consider another one, but have no firm plans at this point!

Joe Alba asks The book is the best how did you choose what to include?

Barbara -  Thanks, Joe.  I wanted to give a sense of each season, each TV movie, and so forth.  As for stars, I had to limit the huge “Dallas” cast somehow, so I limited interviews to main stars and guest stars, with a few exceptions.

Lydia in Utah asks How did you become a fan of Dallas?

Barbara - I was a teenager when the show became a top 10 hit (just before J.R. was shot), and joined the bandwagon then.  My watching fell off a few years later, when I was in college, so my peak watching years, like a lot of people, were probably in the early 1980s.

Bren in Canada asks Barbara I enjoyed 25 Years yet noticed the latter season descriptions are brief why is that?

Barbara - The bulk of “Dallas” history happened between the pilot and Seasons 10.  While I was able to interview some of the later cast, others like Sasha Mitchell, Kimberly Foster, etc., did not respond to my inquiries.  Episode synopses would have filled some of the later season void, but for legal reasons, we could not include those.

Grayfan asks - Barbara Carrera refused quotes, is she unhappy with Dallas?

Barbara - Barbara spoke off the record, so I cannot be the source for her feelings about the show!   I suppose her silence can speak for itself.

Milo in Minnesota asks Help!! I did not understand the letters Jock sent to Digger in the Early days movie. What did that mean?

Barbara - “Dallas” creator David Jacobs wrote an article for TV Guide the week that “The Early Years” aired in March of 1986.  The article was done to help promote that TV movie, but instead of a standard interview, Jacobs did something more creative.  He wrote a fictitious article, in which he pretended that the “Dallas” characters were real.  He claimed that Miss Ellie allowed him, as part of his research for “The Early Years,” to look at some letters that Jock wrote but never mailed to Digger  It’s a very clever article, and I quote some of those fictitious letters in my book.

Marlene asks The book was exciting and well put together so I thank you for writing it Ms Curran. Can you tell me if you stay in contact with any cast members following on from the book and if they have read 25 years?

Barbara - I have indeed.  I have spoke on the phone to Larry, Steve, Charlene, and several others who, thankfully, have called to rave about the book or otherwise discuss “Dallas” and its current renaissance.  In fact, Charlene and I have done some talk radio and TV segments promoting the book and “Return to Southfork.”  I have also hears from others in the “Dallas” universe, and here’s what some of them have said:

Larry said, “I am in the midst of reading [25 Years of Dallas] and I find it fascinating. I’m caught up in each individual episode of Dallas. I don’t know how [Barbara Curran] did it. I don’t know how [she] did all the research on that . . . .  But I must say I enjoy it.”

Steve stated that, “From my point of view, 25 Years of Dallas is the most comprehensive and realistic account of the series that has ever been written.” 

Jared Martin read the book “with apt fascination.  Wonderful reporting.  Good to finally know what was going       on all those years.  Good to hear the voices again of the many people I enjoyed working [with].  Touched by Linda’s comments about me.”

And Dallas creator David Jacobs called the book an “amazing achievement,” saying, “There are things in this book – many things – that I'd forgotten. There are incidents, anecdotes, and cold, hard facts I'm not sure I ever knew. The word ‘encyclopedic’ comes to mind but isn't quite right: the book's too readable, too spirited to fit into that category. So let's just say it's – at least -- everything anybody might ever want to know about Dallas.  It knocked me out.”

Barbara - Thanks again to the "Ultimate Dallas" readers for your questions and your interest in a book that had been a tremendous amount of fun to write!  I know we will all enjoy the new DVDs, the reunion, and the upcoming movie version of the show.  Long live "Dallas!"

 Regards,

 Barbara Curran