MovieChat Forums > North Dallas Forty (1979) Discussion > Stallings

Stallings

posted 10 years ago by MrDeltoid77
7 replies | jump to latest

I've watched this film at least two dozen times. Its one of my favorites.

The performances are great across the board… except for Dayle Haddon… but let us not digress,

I've always thought the actor playing Stallings did a great job. With just two short lines of dialogue and his facial expression and body language, he gets across all the pain, resignation and despair this character lived with.

It is a testament to the great character actors who sometimes get only a line or two to create an entire character and sell it You feel this guys entire life.

Love this film

[–] jelperman 10 years ago

He was an actual NFL player and could probably relate.

[–] tomloft2000 9 years ago

who's Stallings?

[–] Pmdmnym 9 years ago

The player who got cut after watching the game film.

[–] Pmdmnym 9 years ago

Yes Dayle was terrible. But she was in Playboy I believe. So, there ya go! Reason she was in it at all.

[–] crockett3663 9 years ago

I never saw the attraction with her. She had a pretty face, but her body was typical of other Playboy Playmates. And yes...her acting was atrocious.

[–] Pmdmnym 9 years ago

LOL, I agree! And even she said once, in an interview very long ago, that she was the most un-popular Playboy Bunny! Plus she wasn't entirely naked so everyone was angry!! LOL!

F--- him....... He's trash (Robert Loggia-"Jagged Edge")

[–] ecarle (14979) 3 years ago

I've always thought the actor playing Stallings did a great job. With just two short lines of dialogue and his facial expression and body language, he gets across all the pain, resignation and despair this character lived with.

It is a testament to the great character actors who sometimes get only a line or two to create an entire character and sell it You feel this guys entire life.

---

Agreed. This scene comes early in the story and it hurts...he looks older than the other men, closer to the edge of "not being needed." He is laughed at for his fumble and tries to smile about it but...in the end...it is clear he is about to be fired by the ice cold coach. He is humiliated in a public setting. It stings.

The actor captures the immediate moment, and the story is advanced: This COULD be, or possibly inevitably WILL be...the fate of Nick Nolte, "some day." When he, too, gets old. Or maybe sooner than that for other reasons.

The short scene also relates to the daily pressures and terrors of ANYONE in any workplace, subject to management whims and the possibility of being fired.