The Flim-Flam Man (1967)

A rural con artist and an army deserter cheat the townsfolk and are aided by a rich gal who shields the fleeing duo from the wrath of the pursuing sheriff.

Director:

Irvin Kershner

Writers:

William Rose (screenplay), Guy Owen (based on a novel by)

Stars:

George C. Scott, Sue Lyon, Harry Morgan

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
George C. Scott	...	Mordecai
Sue Lyon	...	Bonnie Lee Packard
Harry Morgan	...	Sheriff Slade
Jack Albertson	...	Mr. Packard
Alice Ghostley	...	Mrs. Packard
Albert Salmi	...	Deputy Meshaw
Slim Pickens	...	Jarvis Bates
Michael Sarrazin	...	Curley
Strother Martin	...	Lovick
George Mitchell	...	Tetter
Woodrow Parfrey	...	Super Market Manager
Jay Ose	...	Second Fertilizer Man
Raymond Guth	...	First Fertilizer Man (as Ray Guth)

Storyline

Mordecai Jones is a rural con artist (a 'flim-flam man') who takes on a young army deserter; Curley as his protege, and teaches him the tricks of the trade. Sheriff Slade is in hot pursuit of the pair, and rich girl Bonnie Lee Packard becomes romantically involved with Curley, and helps the fleeing duo stay one step ahead of the sheriff.

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Plot Keywords:

american south | rural setting | fugitive | con artist | based on novel | 

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Taglines:

Meet Mordecai Jones; Master of Back-Stabbing, Cork-Screwing and Double-Dealing!

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 September 1967 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Flim Flam Man

Filming Locations:

Frankfort, Kentucky, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,845,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The downtown car chase scene and courthouse scenes were filmed at Lawrenceburg in Anderson county with lots of locals as extras.

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Goofs

When Mordecai steals the red convertible and drives away he was still wearing his preacher's outfit. After crashing the car for the last time he was wearing a shirt, striped tie and jacket. He had no time to change outfits while driving.

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Quotes

Mordecai Jones: Son, you'd be amazed at the hundreds of satisfied students I've matriculated over the last 50 years!

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Connections

Features Peyton Place (1964)

User Reviews

Let's have a DVD release!

This film has long been one of my favorites, and I think it's just a crime that this wonderful movie is not on DVD yet! I mean come on, this movie was no small time production. It boasted a big name, George C. Scott, as well as a few other well-known supporting players such as Harry Morgan (Col. Potter on "M*A*S*H"), Strother Martin ("What we got here is failure to communicate" from "Cool Hand Luke"), Jack Albertson ("Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and "Chico and the Man"), and Slim Pickens (who also appeared with Scott in "Dr. Stragelove").

The story is quite amusing and wonderfully crafted: A slick con man way up in his years takes a young army deserter under his wing to teach him the tricks of the confidence game. The young man-gone-AWOL at first is taken in by how easy it is to sucker people out of their belongings by having the right props and a perfectly rehearsed act. But he begins to have doubts about the illegal and dishonest ways of his aging con artist mentor and decides that a life on the run is just not for him.

All in all, the film is an incredible light-hearted comedy/adventure complimented by a great musical score by Jerry Goldsmith.

As for a DVD release, I wouldn't even complain if the disc had no special features on it (commentary tracks, theatrical trailer, etc.). Just a widescreen presentation for 16:9 televisions would be plenty enough for me. I hope when 20th Century Fox looks through their film vaults for potential DVD releases that they don't overlook this one!