BEL GEDDES RETURNS TO ‘DALLAS’

The big question about “Dallas” once was: Who shot J.R.? On Friday, another major question--not involving fiction this time--developed after CBS’ hit series said Barbara Bel Geddes will return to the show next season as Miss Ellie, matriarch of the Ewing clan.

The question: Is Donna Reed, who took over the Miss Ellie role after Bel Geddes underwent open-heart surgery two years ago, willingly leaving the show? Reed wasn’t available for comment on whether she thought her job in “Dallas” was temporary or permanent.

But her agent seemed to indicate that not all is well at Southfork right now.

“I really don’t want to discuss it right now,” said Wilt Milnick when asked if Reed had any comment on the return of the Miss Ellie role to Bel Geddes, who created it when “Dallas” premiered on April 2, 1978.

“It’s still up in the air,” he said. “Call me Monday. I may have some more information then.”

Reed’s exit from the series and Bel Geddes’ return to it were announced late Thursday in a two-paragraph statement from Philip Capice, executive producer of “Dallas,” which is made by Lorimar Productions.

The statement, prompted by reports that the original Miss Ellie was returning, confirmed that and added:

“All of us owe a debt of gratitude to a fine actress and a very special lady, Donna Reed, whose talents and professionalism allowed us to continue to present ‘Dallas’ without major (cast) adjustments during Barbara’s absence.”

Capice was reported out of town and unavailable for comment Friday. Lary Youngsteadt, a Lorimar spokesman, said he had heard of no complaints from Reed.

He said production of the series’ eighth season will resume June 20, with eight weeks of filming in Texas scheduled to begin on June 17. He said he didn’t know exactly when Bel Geddes would start work again playing the wise, strong-willed Miss Ellie.