Dallas Actors In memory of Howard Keel on his birthday

[Barbara Fan]

Howard Keel - born April 13, 1919 – November 7, 2004, would have celebrated his 103rd birthday tomorrow if he had still been alive.

He was the nicest of men and my favourite Dallas actor off set, he was brilliant in concert and gave fans so much of his time. I was lucky to meet him seyveral times and i just loved him. He will forever remain my Fav Dallas "older man"

He loved his new found fame which he achieved as Clayton Farlow and the fact that it brought him a whole new army of fans, who like me, came to appreciate his older work on stage and in musicals. Thanks to DVD he will never be fogotten.

He loved his family, his wife Judy and golf - Bless your beautiful hide Mr Keel, you will live on in our hearts and memories for many a year to come.

 

[Julia's Gun]

He was a cosy grandad figure on Dallas, and quite a contrast to Jock.

I'm re-watching Season 4 and he made his first appearance the other day. It's really odd because Sue-Ellen had just found out Dusty was still alive and in a wheelchair, and he is living in the mansion that becomes Pam's house in a few seasons' time, where Bobby gets run down outside.
Clayton/Howard only appeared very briefly in a few scenes to tell Sue-Ellen that Dusty is impotent, and now they have both disappeared again.

Did he know he was going to be joining the series as a regular? It seemed a really short first guest appearance. I know he returns next season but I was curious why this was such a low key introduction. Was he just short of cash at the time, and only guest appearing? Curious.

 

[Billy Wall]

He was a cosy grandad figure on Dallas, and quite a contrast to Jock.

I'm re-watching Season 4 and he made his first appearance the other day. It's really odd because Sue-Ellen had just found out Dusty was still alive and in a wheelchair, and he is living in the mansion that becomes Pam's house in a few seasons' time, where Bobby gets run down outside.
Clayton/Howard only appeared very briefly in a few scenes to tell Sue-Ellen that Dusty is impotent, and now they have both disappeared again.

Did he know he was going to be joining the series as a regular? It seemed a really short first guest appearance. I know he returns next season but I was curious why this was such a low key introduction. Was he just short of cash at the time, and only guest appearing? Curious.

Just my opinion, I believe his initial appearances were to be just a few episodes and that’s it. When it was apparent that Jim Davis was likely not coming back, Southern Cross was introduced and his role expanded. Shortly after, he and Miss Ellie started doing scenes together to test the chemistry.

Just my opinion.

 

[Lastkidpicked]

Just my opinion.

You are exactly right. We did a rewatch of the entire series a couple of years ago and had the same observation.

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

Howard Keel wasn't intended to be one of the main cast at all.

Billy is right, once the Producers realised that Jim Davis's health was failing they obviously kept Keel in mind as a possible new beau for Miss Ellie.

Whilst it was indeed very sad that Jim Davis succumbed to his cancer. His character would still be pivotal to the show in the aftermath of Jim and Jock's death.

Retaining Howard Keel as Clayton Farlow and pairing him up with Miss Ellie was one of the best creative decisions the Producers ever did. Howard was a lovely actor and certainly gave the role gravitas. He wasn't as in your face as Jim's portrayal as Jock so there was a different dynamic going on.

As sad as it was at losing Jim Davis although Howard was a good actor, I'm glad they didn't try to make Clayton a carbon copy of Jock as I don't think that would've worked.

 

[Rove]

He was a cosy grandad figure on Dallas, and quite a contrast to Jock.

You've summed up Clayton so well. I get annoyed when some argue he was Jock's replacement. The writers did a great job in weaving Clayton into the Dallas story without feeling forced. And how lucky was Miss Ellie to experience 3 loves in her life; Digger, Jock and Clayton.

 

[pete lashmar]

Loved Howard and Clayton. I think Clayton was a breath of fresh air to the show and you always knew that he would always get the upper hand with JR.

A great performance all round, I can't imagine the show without him.

 

[Angela Channing]

I'm probably in a minority of one but I wished that had gone down the route of pairing Clayton up with Sue Ellen first. I felt so sorry for the character when Sue Ellen rejected him.

 

[Barbara Fan]

from Miss Principal

Howard Keel…"all that" and even more.