Ft. Worth & South Fork Too!!

Well when you HAVE to go to Fort Worth for work, you might as well make the best of it. That's exactly what Michael and I did as we drove to South Fork (the place where they filmed the show Dallas).



This is kind of a funny shot of the pool. One of the characters in the show is pushed off the balcony to her death into the pool. Yeah...like that would happen. She would have to be chucked at the pool by some heavy equipment and then still might not make it. Hollywood magic at it's best.

And here is Michael recreating that important scene when the cast member falls off the balcony to her death. Notice the pained expression.


While I never saw the show, Michael was an avid viewer, and really should have been a tour guide. Actually he was more entertaining and more knowledgeable it seemed than the ACTUAL tour guide. Oh that's right people, we DID take a tour, and in true Dallas fashion, our tour bus was pulled by a tractor. Yes, a tractor. It was great, because as we were driving to the house where they filmed Dallas (exterior shots only as we learned) - a bug dive bombed my mouth...fortunately it did not make it in. Texas...a place full of kamikaze bugs. eww!




Michael and his pretty blue ticket. This is the ticket that got us onto the tractor...I mean the tour :P

As you can see, Michael is tickeled pink to be standing so close to Sue Ellen's wedding dress.




So when we finally made it to house which as Michael pointed out is MUCH smaller than it appears onscreen. (They told us the secret: Ariel shots, wide angled lenses and fish -eye lenses). They herded us into the house and had us sit down while the tour group leader did her spiel. Basically, this is the gist. The studios found this house that they wanted to use the exterior shots to. They approached the homeowner and eventually worked out a deal to where the owner would still live in the house with his family and ONLY exterior shots would be used.

And this is the kitchen...according to both Michael and the tour guide this is the only room in the house that actually bares any resemblance to the actual set for Dallas the show.



I just couldn't resist this. I mean, really...is it THAT big of a problem that they needed a sign. I mean, I didn't even consider it until they suggested it.


This is JR's bed. Apparently he liked to be the center of attention (not unlike my traveling buddy MC). Notice how his bed is in the CENTER of the room and on a pedestal nonetheless.


Apparently this worked out well until the popularity of the show increased. When JR was shot and the rating sky rocketed, people started leaving flowers, gifts of condolence and other things at the house. People also started to let themselves in as uninvited guests and start swimming in the pool and other such odd things. Well, this family man had had enough so he up and moved out of the house. This is how we got to do a tour!

Well, Michael and I just were so overcome and inspired by BEING at the actual Dallas house, that we felt we had to join in on the fun. Of course the people that I asked to take our pictures took so long that we ended up laughing at each other.



And of course there was the gift shop! Michael was so happy to find a hat, and some Sue Ellen shot glasses that I HAD to document it.





I'm glad that Michael had us go. It was gloriously tacky, and I loved every minute of it!