The Fastest Nice Christian Boy in the World

Bobby Morrow was America’s most celebrated Olympic athlete in 1956. Today he wishes he’d never left the starting blocks.

by William Martin

The Eccentric Genius of Trammel Crow

He changed the face of Texas by building warehouses that looked like office buildings. Then he built office buildings that looked like warehouses.

by Joseph Nocera

Texas Primer: The Icehouse

There’s a world of difference between an icehouse and a convenience store.

by David Hisbrook

The Marfa Art War

Sculptor Donald Judd had the vision. The Dia Art Foundation had the money. Now they’ve had it with each other.

by Michael Ennis

Western Art: Kow Boi Hadz!

by Elwood Smith

Unconventional Notes 1984

Isn’t it great that in this big, cold world the Republican party and Dallas have found each other?

The Way It’s Going to Be

Turn off the TV. Go fishing. Here’s the inside story of what will happen at the convention, complete with Nancy Reagan’s tacky visit to a bowling alley.

by Nicholas Lemann

Great Moments In Republican History

How Texas became a two=party state in spite of the GOP.

by Jim Atkinson and Paul Burka

Excuse Me, But Where Can a Free-Enterpriser Get a Drink in This Town

Where to find a life-size statue of businessmen shaking hands, the best right-wing burgers, and other landmarks of Republican life.

by Peter Applebome and Jim Atkinson

Little D

No one will ever hold a political convention in Dallas, Scotland. And that’s only one of the things that make it great.

by Peter Applebome

Politics

Guv Passes, Teachers Flunk

Mark White has finally earned high marks in lobbying the Legislature.

by Paul Burka

Behind the Lines

Nirvana in unofficial Dallas

by Gregory Curtis

High Life

“My, Don’t You Sparkle!”

Elyse Robins will sell you that gaudy bauble she’s wearing at dinner for only forty. Thousand, that is.

John Davidson

Classical Music

A Flop

At this year’s dismal San Antonio Festival, the English National Opera and the Texas productions were the only shows worth seeing.

by W. L. Taitte

Movies

Getting Slimed

Ghostbusters is funny but flawed; Streets of Fire is not the place to spend a care-free afternoon; plus three films from abroad.

by James Wolcott

Ballet

Dancing Up a Cliché

Jamboree, a new Joffrey ballet commissioned by the City of San Antonio, features prancing rhinestone cowboys and just plain silly choreography.

W. L. Taitte

Reporter

Texas Monthly Reporter

Is Texas shrinking? Are the Kimbell’s spirits sinking? Are Midland and Odessa really linking? Where are Houston’s sports fans drinking?

by Peter Elkind

Roar of the Crowd

Touts

by Patricia Sharpe

Puzzle

State Secrets

Aggies and UT play beach brawl; Valero’s gas pains; education bureaucracy shake-up; the truth about those Hines rumors.

Edited by Paul Burka