I wound up being able to install libsdl1.2-dev when instead of using apt-get to install it, I used aptitude.
So: sudo apt-get install libsdl1.2-dev wasn't working but what did was: sudo aptitude install libsdl1.2-dev -- can't install in dapper https://launchpad.net/bugs/56939 -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs