diff --git a/lib/widget.h b/lib/widget.h
index 0fc8c086c..49e0aaacc 100644
--- a/lib/widget.h
+++ b/lib/widget.h
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ typedef struct WGroup WGroup;
 #include "lib/widget/rect.h"
 #include "lib/widget/widget-common.h"
 #include "lib/widget/group.h"
+#include "lib/widget/frame.h"
 #include "lib/widget/dialog.h"
 #include "lib/widget/history.h"
 #include "lib/widget/button.h"
diff --git a/lib/widget/Makefile.am b/lib/widget/Makefile.am
index 1796f746a..d84f557ef 100644
--- a/lib/widget/Makefile.am
+++ b/lib/widget/Makefile.am
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ libmcwidget_la_SOURCES = \
 	check.c check.h \
 	dialog.c dialog.h \
 	dialog-switch.c dialog-switch.h \
+	frame.c frame.h \
 	gauge.c gauge.h \
 	group.c group.h \
 	groupbox.c groupbox.h \
diff --git a/lib/widget/dialog.c b/lib/widget/dialog.c
index a6eaeaaf7..ba67b0c67 100644
--- a/lib/widget/dialog.c
+++ b/lib/widget/dialog.c
@@ -448,56 +448,14 @@ frontend_dlg_run (WDialog * h)
 
 /* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 /*** public functions ****************************************************************************/
-/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
-
-/** Clean the dialog area, draw the frame and the title */
-void
-dlg_default_repaint (WDialog * h)
-{
-    Widget *wh = WIDGET (h);
-
-    int space;
-
-    if (!widget_get_state (wh, WST_ACTIVE))
-        return;
-
-    space = h->compact ? 0 : 1;
-
-    tty_setcolor (h->color[DLG_COLOR_NORMAL]);
-    dlg_erase (h);
-    tty_draw_box (wh->y + space, wh->x + space, wh->lines - 2 * space, wh->cols - 2 * space, FALSE);
-
-    if (h->title != NULL)
-    {
-        /* TODO: truncate long title */
-        tty_setcolor (h->color[DLG_COLOR_TITLE]);
-        widget_gotoyx (h, space, (wh->cols - str_term_width1 (h->title)) / 2);
-        tty_print_string (h->title);
-    }
-}
-
 /* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 /** Default dialog callback */
 
 cb_ret_t
 dlg_default_callback (Widget * w, Widget * sender, widget_msg_t msg, int parm, void *data)
 {
-    WDialog *h = DIALOG (w);
-
-    (void) sender;
-    (void) parm;
-    (void) data;
-
     switch (msg)
     {
-    case MSG_DRAW:
-        if (h->color != NULL)
-        {
-            dlg_default_repaint (h);
-            return MSG_HANDLED;
-        }
-        return MSG_NOT_HANDLED;
-
     case MSG_IDLE:
         /* we don't want endless loop */
         widget_idle (w, FALSE);
@@ -517,19 +475,18 @@ dlg_create (gboolean modal, int y1, int x1, int lines, int cols, widget_pos_flag
 {
     WDialog *new_d;
     Widget *w;
+    WGroup *g;
 
     new_d = g_new0 (WDialog, 1);
     w = WIDGET (new_d);
+    g = GROUP (new_d);
     widget_adjust_position (pos_flags, &y1, &x1, &lines, &cols);
-    group_init (GROUP (new_d), y1, x1, lines, cols,
-                callback != NULL ? callback : dlg_default_callback, mouse_callback);
+    group_init (g, y1, x1, lines, cols, callback != NULL ? callback : dlg_default_callback,
+                mouse_callback);
 
     w->pos_flags = pos_flags;
     w->options |= WOP_SELECTABLE | WOP_TOP_SELECT;
-
     w->state |= WST_CONSTRUCT | WST_FOCUSED;
-    if (modal)
-        w->state |= WST_MODAL;
 
     new_d->color = colors;
     new_d->help_ctx = help_ctx;
@@ -538,7 +495,24 @@ dlg_create (gboolean modal, int y1, int x1, int lines, int cols, widget_pos_flag
 
     new_d->mouse_status = MOU_UNHANDLED;
 
-    dlg_set_title (new_d, title);
+    if (modal)
+    {
+        frame_colors_t frame_colors;
+
+        w->state |= WST_MODAL;
+
+        if (new_d->color != NULL)
+        {
+            frame_colors[FRAME_COLOR_NORMAL] = new_d->color[DLG_COLOR_NORMAL];
+            frame_colors[FRAME_COLOR_TITLE] = new_d->color[DLG_COLOR_TITLE];
+        }
+
+        new_d->frame =
+            frame_new (0, 0, w->lines, w->cols, title,
+                       new_d->color != NULL ? frame_colors : NULL, FALSE, new_d->compact);
+        group_add_widget (g, new_d->frame);
+        frame_set_title (new_d->frame, title);
+    }
 
     /* unique name of event group for this dialog */
     new_d->event_group = g_strdup_printf ("%s_%p", MCEVENT_GROUP_DIALOG, (void *) new_d);
@@ -745,7 +719,6 @@ dlg_destroy (WDialog * h)
     group_default_callback (WIDGET (h), NULL, MSG_DESTROY, 0, NULL);
     mc_event_group_del (h->event_group);
     g_free (h->event_group);
-    g_free (h->title);
     g_free (h);
 
     do_refresh ();
@@ -790,25 +763,6 @@ dlg_save_history (WDialog * h)
 
 /* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 
-void
-dlg_set_title (WDialog * h, const char *title)
-{
-    MC_PTR_FREE (h->title);
-
-    /* Strip existing spaces, add one space before and after the title */
-    if (title != NULL && title[0] != '\0')
-    {
-        char *t;
-
-        t = g_strstrip (g_strdup (title));
-        if (t[0] != '\0')
-            h->title = g_strdup_printf (" %s ", t);
-        g_free (t);
-    }
-}
-
-/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
-
 char *
 dlg_get_title (const WDialog * h, size_t len)
 {
diff --git a/lib/widget/dialog.h b/lib/widget/dialog.h
index bb5b6e66f..a4b88d89c 100644
--- a/lib/widget/dialog.h
+++ b/lib/widget/dialog.h
@@ -66,7 +66,6 @@ struct WDialog
     gboolean compact;           /* Suppress spaces around the frame */
     const char *help_ctx;       /* Name of the help entry */
     const int *color;           /* Color set. Unused in viewer and editor */
-    char *title;                /* Title of the dialog */
 
     /* Set and received by the user */
     int ret_value;              /* Result of dlg_run() */
@@ -77,6 +76,7 @@ struct WDialog
     /* Internal variables */
     void *data;                 /* Data can be passed to dialog */
     char *event_group;          /* Name of event group for this dialog */
+    WFrame *frame;              /* Frame. Frame is used as background */
 
     dlg_shortcut_str get_shortcut;      /* Shortcut string */
     dlg_title_str get_title;    /* useless for modal dialogs */
@@ -117,7 +117,6 @@ void dlg_run_done (WDialog * h);
 void dlg_save_history (WDialog * h);
 void dlg_process_event (WDialog * h, int key, Gpm_Event * event);
 
-void dlg_set_title (WDialog * h, const char *title);
 char *dlg_get_title (const WDialog * h, size_t len);
 
 void dlg_draw (WDialog * h);
@@ -125,9 +124,6 @@ void dlg_draw (WDialog * h);
 /* Default callback for dialogs */
 cb_ret_t dlg_default_callback (Widget * w, Widget * sender, widget_msg_t msg, int parm, void *data);
 
-/* Default paint routine for dialogs */
-void dlg_default_repaint (WDialog * h);
-
 void dlg_erase (WDialog * h);
 void dlg_stop (WDialog * h);
 
diff --git a/lib/widget/frame.c b/lib/widget/frame.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1eeb2966a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/widget/frame.c
@@ -0,0 +1,168 @@
+/*
+   Widgets for the Midnight Commander
+
+   Copyright (C) 2020
+   The Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+
+   Authors:
+   Andrew Borodin <aborodin@vmail.ru>, 2020
+
+   This file is part of the Midnight Commander.
+
+   The Midnight Commander is free software: you can redistribute it
+   and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as
+   published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License,
+   or (at your option) any later version.
+
+   The Midnight Commander is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+   but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+   MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+   GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+   You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+   along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+/** \file frame.c
+ *  \brief Source: WFrame widget (frame of dialogs)
+ */
+
+#include <config.h>
+
+#include <stdlib.h>
+
+#include "lib/global.h"
+#include "lib/tty/tty.h"
+#include "lib/tty/color.h"
+#include "lib/skin.h"
+#include "lib/strutil.h"
+#include "lib/util.h"           /* MC_PTR_FREE */
+#include "lib/widget.h"
+
+/*** global variables ****************************************************************************/
+
+/*** file scope macro definitions ****************************************************************/
+
+/*** file scope type declarations ****************************************************************/
+
+/*** file scope variables ************************************************************************/
+
+/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+/*** file scope functions ************************************************************************/
+/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+
+static void
+frame_adjust (WFrame * f)
+{
+    Widget *w = WIDGET (f);
+    Widget *wo = WIDGET (w->owner);
+
+    w->y = wo->y;
+    w->x = wo->x;
+    w->lines = wo->lines;
+    w->cols = wo->cols;
+
+    w->pos_flags |= WPOS_KEEP_ALL;
+}
+
+/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+
+static void
+frame_draw (const WFrame * f)
+{
+    const Widget *w = CONST_WIDGET (f);
+    int d = f->compact ? 0 : 1;
+
+    tty_setcolor (f->colors[FRAME_COLOR_NORMAL]);
+    tty_fill_region (w->y, w->x, w->lines, w->cols, ' ');
+    tty_draw_box (w->y + d, w->x + d, w->lines - 2 * d, w->cols - 2 * d, f->single);
+
+    if (f->title != NULL)
+    {
+        /* TODO: truncate long title */
+        tty_setcolor (f->colors[FRAME_COLOR_TITLE]);
+        widget_gotoyx (w, d, (w->cols - str_term_width1 (f->title)) / 2);
+        tty_print_string (f->title);
+    }
+}
+
+/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+/*** public functions ****************************************************************************/
+/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+
+WFrame *
+frame_new (int y, int x, int lines, int cols, const char *title, const int *colors, gboolean single,
+           gboolean compact)
+{
+    WFrame *f;
+    Widget *w;
+
+    f = g_new (WFrame, 1);
+    w = WIDGET (f);
+    widget_init (w, y, x, lines, cols, frame_callback, NULL);
+
+    if (colors != NULL)
+        memmove (f->colors, colors, sizeof (frame_colors_t));
+    else
+    {
+        f->colors[FRAME_COLOR_NORMAL] = COLOR_NORMAL;
+        f->colors[FRAME_COLOR_TITLE] = COLOR_TITLE;
+    }
+
+    f->single = single;
+    f->compact = compact;
+
+    f->title = NULL;
+    frame_set_title (f, title);
+
+    return f;
+}
+
+/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+
+cb_ret_t
+frame_callback (Widget * w, Widget * sender, widget_msg_t msg, int parm, void *data)
+{
+    WFrame *f = FRAME (w);
+
+    switch (msg)
+    {
+    case MSG_INIT:
+        frame_adjust (f);
+        return MSG_HANDLED;
+
+    case MSG_DRAW:
+        frame_draw (f);
+        return MSG_HANDLED;
+
+    case MSG_DESTROY:
+        g_free (f->title);
+        return MSG_HANDLED;
+
+    default:
+        return widget_default_callback (w, sender, msg, parm, data);
+    }
+}
+
+/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+
+void
+frame_set_title (WFrame * f, const char *title)
+{
+    MC_PTR_FREE (f->title);
+
+    /* Strip existing spaces, add one space before and after the title */
+    if (title != NULL && *title != '\0')
+    {
+        char *t;
+
+        t = g_strstrip (g_strdup (title));
+        if (*t != '\0')
+            f->title = g_strdup_printf (" %s ", t);
+        g_free (t);
+    }
+
+    widget_draw (WIDGET (f));
+}
+
+/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
diff --git a/lib/widget/frame.h b/lib/widget/frame.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e356a63f0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/widget/frame.h
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+
+/** \file frame.h
+ *  \brief Header: WFrame widget
+ */
+
+#ifndef MC__WIDGET_FRAME_H
+#define MC__WIDGET_FRAME_H
+
+/*** typedefs(not structures) and defined constants **********************************************/
+
+#define FRAME(x) ((WFrame *)(x))
+#define CONST_FRAME(x) ((const WFrame *)(x))
+
+/*** enums ***************************************************************************************/
+
+/* Frame color constants */
+typedef enum
+{
+    FRAME_COLOR_NORMAL = 0,
+    FRAME_COLOR_TITLE,
+    FRAME_COLOR_COUNT
+} frame_colors_enum_t;
+
+/*** typedefs(not structures) ********************************************************************/
+
+typedef int frame_colors_t[FRAME_COLOR_COUNT];
+
+/*** structures declarations (and typedefs of structures)*****************************************/
+
+typedef struct
+{
+    Widget widget;
+
+    char *title;
+    frame_colors_t colors;
+    gboolean single;
+    gboolean compact;
+} WFrame;
+
+/*** global variables defined in .c file *********************************************************/
+
+/*** declarations of public functions ************************************************************/
+
+WFrame *frame_new (int y, int x, int lines, int cols, const char *title, const int *colors,
+                   gboolean single, gboolean compact);
+cb_ret_t frame_callback (Widget * w, Widget * sender, widget_msg_t msg, int parm, void *data);
+void frame_set_title (WFrame * f, const char *title);
+
+/*** inline functions ****************************************************************************/
+
+#endif /* MC__WIDGET_FRAME_H */
diff --git a/lib/widget/quick.c b/lib/widget/quick.c
index ee2837bdc..fef52bcfa 100644
--- a/lib/widget/quick.c
+++ b/lib/widget/quick.c
@@ -571,6 +571,10 @@ quick_dialog_skip (quick_dialog_t * quick_dlg, int nskip)
         }
     }
 
+    /* skip frame widget */
+    if (dd->frame != NULL)
+        nskip++;
+
     while (nskip-- != 0)
         group_set_current_widget_next (GROUP (dd));
 
diff --git a/src/editor/editwidget.c b/src/editor/editwidget.c
index 9a3e3245e..b9913d533 100644
--- a/src/editor/editwidget.c
+++ b/src/editor/editwidget.c
@@ -759,7 +759,6 @@ edit_dialog_callback (Widget * w, Widget * sender, widget_msg_t msg, int parm, v
         return MSG_HANDLED;
 
     case MSG_DRAW:
-        /* don't use dlg_default_repaint() -- we don't need a frame */
         tty_setcolor (EDITOR_BACKGROUND);
         dlg_erase (h);
         return MSG_HANDLED;
diff --git a/src/filemanager/achown.c b/src/filemanager/achown.c
index a6f48d9bf..9053125f9 100644
--- a/src/filemanager/achown.c
+++ b/src/filemanager/achown.c
@@ -281,8 +281,6 @@ print_flags (const WDialog * h)
 static void
 advanced_chown_refresh (WDialog * h)
 {
-    dlg_default_repaint (h);
-
     tty_setcolor (COLOR_NORMAL);
 
     widget_gotoyx (h, BY - 1, advanced_chown_but[0].x + 5);
@@ -657,20 +655,32 @@ user_group_button_cb (WButton * button, int action)
 
 /* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 
+static cb_ret_t
+advanced_chown_bg_callback (Widget * w, Widget * sender, widget_msg_t msg, int parm, void *data)
+{
+    switch (msg)
+    {
+    case MSG_DRAW:
+        frame_callback (w, NULL, MSG_DRAW, 0, NULL);
+        advanced_chown_refresh (DIALOG (w->owner));
+        advanced_chown_info_update ();
+        return MSG_HANDLED;
+
+    default:
+        return frame_callback (w, sender, msg, parm, data);
+    }
+}
+
+/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+
 static cb_ret_t
 advanced_chown_callback (Widget * w, Widget * sender, widget_msg_t msg, int parm, void *data)
 {
     WGroup *g = GROUP (w);
-    WDialog *h = DIALOG (w);
     int i = 0;
 
     switch (msg)
     {
-    case MSG_DRAW:
-        advanced_chown_refresh (h);
-        advanced_chown_info_update ();
-        return MSG_HANDLED;
-
     case MSG_KEY:
         switch (parm)
         {
@@ -744,6 +754,9 @@ advanced_chown_init (void)
                     advanced_chown_callback, NULL, "[Advanced Chown]", _("Chown advanced command"));
     ch_grp = GROUP (ch_dlg);
 
+    /* draw background */
+    WIDGET (ch_dlg->frame)->callback = advanced_chown_bg_callback;
+
     l_filename = label_new (2, 3, "");
     group_add_widget (ch_grp, l_filename);
 
diff --git a/src/filemanager/chmod.c b/src/filemanager/chmod.c
index bac437c49..097955bf5 100644
--- a/src/filemanager/chmod.c
+++ b/src/filemanager/chmod.c
@@ -191,13 +191,11 @@ chmod_toggle_select (WDialog * h, int Id)
 /* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 
 static void
-chmod_refresh (WDialog * h)
+chmod_refresh (void)
 {
     int y = WIDGET (file_gb)->y + 1;
     int x = WIDGET (file_gb)->x + 2;
 
-    dlg_default_repaint (h);
-
     tty_setcolor (COLOR_NORMAL);
 
     tty_gotoyx (y, x);
@@ -212,6 +210,23 @@ chmod_refresh (WDialog * h)
 
 /* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 
+static cb_ret_t
+chmod_bg_callback (Widget * w, Widget * sender, widget_msg_t msg, int parm, void *data)
+{
+    switch (msg)
+    {
+    case MSG_DRAW:
+        frame_callback (w, NULL, MSG_DRAW, 0, NULL);
+        chmod_refresh ();
+        return MSG_HANDLED;
+
+    default:
+        return frame_callback (w, sender, msg, parm, data);
+    }
+}
+
+/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+
 static cb_ret_t
 chmod_callback (Widget * w, Widget * sender, widget_msg_t msg, int parm, void *data)
 {
@@ -220,10 +235,6 @@ chmod_callback (Widget * w, Widget * sender, widget_msg_t msg, int parm, void *d
 
     switch (msg)
     {
-    case MSG_DRAW:
-        chmod_refresh (h);
-        return MSG_HANDLED;
-
     case MSG_NOTIFY:
         {
             /* handle checkboxes */
@@ -313,6 +324,9 @@ chmod_init (const char *fname, const struct stat *sf_stat)
                     chmod_callback, NULL, "[Chmod]", _("Chmod command"));
     g = GROUP (ch_dlg);
 
+    /* draw background */
+    WIDGET (ch_dlg->frame)->callback = chmod_bg_callback;
+
     group_add_widget (g, groupbox_new (PY, PX, BUTTONS_PERM + 2, perm_gb_len, _("Permission")));
 
     for (i = 0; i < BUTTONS_PERM; i++)
diff --git a/src/filemanager/chown.c b/src/filemanager/chown.c
index abfb41506..99ec0f9e8 100644
--- a/src/filemanager/chown.c
+++ b/src/filemanager/chown.c
@@ -148,13 +148,11 @@ chown_i18n (void)
 /* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 
 static void
-chown_refresh (WDialog * h)
+chown_refresh (const Widget * h)
 {
     int y = 3;
     int x = 7 + GW * 2;
 
-    dlg_default_repaint (h);
-
     tty_setcolor (COLOR_NORMAL);
 
     widget_gotoyx (h, y + 0, x);
@@ -172,16 +170,17 @@ chown_refresh (WDialog * h)
 /* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 
 static cb_ret_t
-chown_callback (Widget * w, Widget * sender, widget_msg_t msg, int parm, void *data)
+chown_bg_callback (Widget * w, Widget * sender, widget_msg_t msg, int parm, void *data)
 {
     switch (msg)
     {
     case MSG_DRAW:
-        chown_refresh (DIALOG (w));
+        frame_callback (w, NULL, MSG_DRAW, 0, NULL);
+        chown_refresh (WIDGET (w->owner));
         return MSG_HANDLED;
 
     default:
-        return dlg_default_callback (w, sender, msg, parm, data);
+        return frame_callback (w, sender, msg, parm, data);
     }
 }
 
@@ -203,10 +202,13 @@ chown_init (void)
     cols = GW * 3 + 2 + 6;
 
     ch_dlg =
-        dlg_create (TRUE, 0, 0, lines, cols, WPOS_CENTER, FALSE, dialog_colors, chown_callback,
-                    NULL, "[Chown]", _("Chown command"));
+        dlg_create (TRUE, 0, 0, lines, cols, WPOS_CENTER, FALSE, dialog_colors, NULL, NULL,
+                    "[Chown]", _("Chown command"));
     g = GROUP (ch_dlg);
 
+    /* draw background */
+    WIDGET (ch_dlg->frame)->callback = chown_bg_callback;
+
     group_add_widget (g, groupbox_new (2, 3, GH, GW, _("User name")));
     l_user = listbox_new (3, 4, GH - 2, GW - 2, FALSE, NULL);
     group_add_widget (g, l_user);
diff --git a/src/filemanager/find.c b/src/filemanager/find.c
index c5ae730eb..43580c1e0 100644
--- a/src/filemanager/find.c
+++ b/src/filemanager/find.c
@@ -1526,7 +1526,7 @@ find_adjust_header (WDialog * h)
         memmove (title + title_len, "...", 4);
     }
 
-    dlg_set_title (h, title);
+    frame_set_title (h->frame, title);
 }
 
 /* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
diff --git a/src/filemanager/layout.c b/src/filemanager/layout.c
index b50567d5d..ad5bfcdb8 100644
--- a/src/filemanager/layout.c
+++ b/src/filemanager/layout.c
@@ -313,6 +313,36 @@ bminus_cback (WButton * button, int action)
 
 /* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 
+static cb_ret_t
+layout_bg_callback (Widget * w, Widget * sender, widget_msg_t msg, int parm, void *data)
+{
+    switch (msg)
+    {
+    case MSG_DRAW:
+        frame_callback (w, NULL, MSG_DRAW, 0, NULL);
+
+        old_layout.output_lines = -1;
+
+        update_split (DIALOG (w->owner));
+
+        if (old_layout.output_lines != _output_lines)
+        {
+            old_layout.output_lines = _output_lines;
+            tty_setcolor (mc_global.tty.console_flag != '\0' ? COLOR_NORMAL : DISABLED_COLOR);
+            widget_gotoyx (w, 9, 5);
+            tty_print_string (output_lines_label);
+            widget_gotoyx (w, 9, 5 + 3 + output_lines_label_len);
+            tty_printf ("%02d", _output_lines);
+        }
+        return MSG_HANDLED;
+
+    default:
+        return frame_callback (w, sender, msg, parm, data);
+    }
+}
+
+/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+
 static cb_ret_t
 layout_callback (Widget * w, Widget * sender, widget_msg_t msg, int parm, void *data)
 {
@@ -320,26 +350,6 @@ layout_callback (Widget * w, Widget * sender, widget_msg_t msg, int parm, void *
 
     switch (msg)
     {
-    case MSG_DRAW:
-        /* When repainting the whole dialog (e.g. with C-l) we have to
-           update everything */
-        dlg_default_repaint (h);
-
-        old_layout.output_lines = -1;
-
-        update_split (h);
-
-        if (old_layout.output_lines != _output_lines)
-        {
-            old_layout.output_lines = _output_lines;
-            tty_setcolor (mc_global.tty.console_flag != '\0' ? COLOR_NORMAL : DISABLED_COLOR);
-            widget_gotoyx (h, 9, 5);
-            tty_print_string (output_lines_label);
-            widget_gotoyx (h, 9, 5 + 3 + output_lines_label_len);
-            tty_printf ("%02d", _output_lines);
-        }
-        return MSG_HANDLED;
-
     case MSG_POST_KEY:
         {
             const Widget *mw = CONST_WIDGET (midnight_dlg);
@@ -550,6 +560,9 @@ layout_dlg_create (void)
                     "[Layout]", _("Layout"));
     g = GROUP (layout_dlg);
 
+    /* draw background */
+    WIDGET (layout_dlg->frame)->callback = layout_bg_callback;
+
 #define XTRACT(i) (*check_options[i].variable != 0), check_options[i].text
 
     /* "Panel split" groupbox */
diff --git a/src/help.c b/src/help.c
index bd04f59d5..94db591c0 100644
--- a/src/help.c
+++ b/src/help.c
@@ -617,7 +617,7 @@ help_help (WDialog * h)
     {
         currentpoint = p + 1;   /* Skip the newline following the start of the node */
         selected_item = NULL;
-        send_message (h, NULL, MSG_DRAW, 0, NULL);
+        dlg_redraw (h);
     }
 }
 
@@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ help_index (WDialog * h)
 
         currentpoint = new_item + 1;    /* Skip the newline following the start of the node */
         selected_item = NULL;
-        send_message (h, NULL, MSG_DRAW, 0, NULL);
+        dlg_redraw (h);
     }
 }
 
@@ -655,7 +655,7 @@ help_back (WDialog * h)
     if (history_ptr < 0)
         history_ptr = HISTORY_SIZE - 1;
 
-    send_message (h, NULL, MSG_DRAW, 0, NULL);  /* FIXME: unneeded? */
+    dlg_redraw (h);       /* FIXME: unneeded? */
 }
 
 /* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
@@ -854,12 +854,29 @@ help_handle_key (WDialog * h, int c)
     if ((command == CK_IgnoreKey) || (help_execute_cmd (command) == MSG_NOT_HANDLED))
         return MSG_NOT_HANDLED;
 
-    send_message (h, NULL, MSG_DRAW, 0, NULL);
+    dlg_redraw (h);
     return MSG_HANDLED;
 }
 
 /* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 
+static cb_ret_t
+help_bg_callback (Widget * w, Widget * sender, widget_msg_t msg, int parm, void *data)
+{
+    switch (msg)
+    {
+    case MSG_DRAW:
+        frame_callback (w, NULL, MSG_DRAW, 0, NULL);
+        help_show (DIALOG (w->owner), currentpoint);
+        return MSG_HANDLED;
+
+    default:
+        return frame_callback (w, sender, msg, parm, data);
+    }
+}
+
+/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+
 static cb_ret_t
 help_resize (WDialog * h)
 {
@@ -888,11 +905,6 @@ help_callback (Widget * w, Widget * sender, widget_msg_t msg, int parm, void *da
     case MSG_RESIZE:
         return help_resize (h);
 
-    case MSG_DRAW:
-        dlg_default_repaint (h);
-        help_show (h, currentpoint);
-        return MSG_HANDLED;
-
     case MSG_KEY:
         return help_handle_key (h, parm);
 
@@ -1026,7 +1038,7 @@ help_mouse_callback (Widget * w, mouse_msg_t msg, mouse_event_t * event)
         move_forward (1);
 
     /* Show the new node */
-    send_message (w->owner, NULL, MSG_DRAW, 0, NULL);
+    dlg_redraw (DIALOG (w->owner));
 }
 
 /* --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
@@ -1117,6 +1129,8 @@ help_interactive_display (const gchar * event_group_name, const gchar * event_na
                     FALSE, help_colors, help_callback, NULL, "[Help]", _("Help"));
     g = GROUP (whelp);
     widget_want_tab (WIDGET (whelp), TRUE);
+    /* draw background */
+    WIDGET (whelp->frame)->callback = help_bg_callback;
 
     selected_item = search_string_node (main_node, STRING_LINK_START) - 1;
     currentpoint = main_node + 1;       /* Skip the newline following the start of the node */