Dialogue is the foundation

In the late 1950s, following the decline of her film career, Barbara Stanwyck turned to television. Her television career would prove quite successful earning her three Emmy Awards-- one for The Barbara Stanwyck Show (1961), another for the western series The Big Valley (1965-1969) and a third for the hit mini-series The Thorn Birds (1983). In 1985, Barbara made a few guest appearances in the successful soap opera Dynasty before starring in its spin-off The Colbys for a full season. Dissatisfied with her role as Constance Colby Patterson ("I seemed to be saying the same things week after week"), Barbara quit the show after the first season. The role would be the last of her career. (When offered a leading role in another soap opera Falcon Crest, Barbara declined and the part went to Jane Wyman.)

After quitting The Colbys, Barbara donated 24 of the show's scripts to the University of Wyoming in October 1986. In a letter accompanying the scripts (as seen below), Barbara urged student writers and film historians to read them in order to learn from the bad dialogue. "Dialogue is the foundation", she emphasized while encouraging the re-reading of scripts she had previously donated to the University, among them gems like Ball of Fire (1941; written by Billy Wilder/Charles Brackett), Double Indemnity (1944; Billy Wilder/Raymond Chandler), Remember the Night (1940; Preston Sturges) and The Lady Eve (1941; Preston Sturges).

Great dialogue in Billy Wilder's Double Indemnity (1944)  (above) and  Preston Sturges' The Lady Eve (1941) (below).

Source: American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming

Transcript:

October 24, 1986

To the Student Writers and Film Historians at The University of Wyoming--

Here are the twenty-four scripts of the night time "soap" - THE COLBYS. The character I played was Constance Colby Patterson.

I quit the show after the first season. I seemed to be saying the same things week after week -- the only way people could see any difference in performance was the fact that I had a different dress on. At least that is the way I felt. Constance wasn't going anyplace - but I was- I quit!

I have no wish to denigrate any writers but pay attention to this dialogue and construction and I do believe you will learn. Noel Coward it isn't.

There are eighty some odd film scripts that I previously sent to the University. Please refresh your memories and re-read a few such as DOUBLE INDEMNITY, BALL OF FIRE, STELLA DALLAS, THE LADY EVE, REMEMBER THE NIGHT and SORRY, WRONG NUMBER.

Just because it is known as a "soap" does not mean it has to be poor writing-- it is still film and it should entertain.

There is an old saying in our business:

"If it ain't on Paper-- it ain't on the screen."

Dialogue is the foundation.

So, dear students-- be kind to us poor actors-- Good dialogue.

GO!

signed "Barbara Stanwyck"