Edit
Storyline
Adapted from the novel, "Addie Pray" (1971) by Joe David Brown, PAPER MOON is the story of Moses Pray and Addie Loggins. With scenery reminiscent of "The Grapes of Wrath," the film is set in the depression-era Midwestern region of the United States. As the movie opens, we see a small group of mourners clustered at a graveside. Among the mourners is Addie, the dead woman's small daughter. Moses Pray -- ostensibly of the "Kansas Bible Company" -- approaches the group, as the service concludes, and two of the elderly women remark that the child bears some resemblance to him and asks if he might be related. "If ever a child needed kin, it's now," one lady says. With no knowledge of who her father is, Addie's only haven is her Aunt's home in St. Joseph, Missouri. Having identified himself as a "traveling man spreading the Lord's gospel in these troubled times," "Mose" is prevailed upon to deliver the helpless child to her Aunt since he's going that way, anyway. Addie, wise beyond her years... Written by
MARK FLEETWOOD <mfleetwo@mail.coin.missouri.edu>
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Taglines:
As P.T. Barnum put it, "There's a sucker born every minute."
Edit
Did You Know?
Goofs
As Mose and Addie are escaping the sheriff, the camera shadow is visible as the car careers toward it.
See more »
Quotes
[
first lines]
The Minister:
Judge me, oh Lord, for I have lost in mine integrity. I have trusted also in the Lord, therefore I shall not slide. Examine me, oh Lord, and prove me. Try my reins and my heart, for Thy loving kindness is before mine eyes, and I have walked in Thy truth.
See more »
Crazy Credits
Special thanks to the people in and around Hays, Kansas and St. Joseph, Missouri
See more »
Connections
References
Steamboat Round the Bend (1935)
See more »
Soundtracks
"Just One More Chance"
(1931) (uncredited)
Music by
Arthur Johnston
Lyrics by
Sam Coslow
Performed by
Bing Crosby See more »
I saw Paper Moon many years ago as a young girl and had just recently watched this again for the first time since. I found this film to be absolutely engaging and a pleasure to watch. Tatum O'Neal was absolutely wonderful as was Madeline Kahn. Her performance was priceless as "Trixie Delight". The scene with her "Trixie" as she's trying to cojole Tatum O'Neal's "Addie" to come back to the car and sit in the back, had me laughing so hard that I could hardly breathe! It was one of the most memorable scenes ever. Not just for the humor but how Madeline Kahn's Trixie was able to draw a certain compassion for her character and somewhat seedy lifestyle. I loved the whole film! A "must-see"!