Paper Moon (1973)

During the Great Depression, a con man finds himself saddled with a young girl who may or may not be his daughter, and the two forge an unlikely partnership.

Director:

Peter Bogdanovich

Writers:

Joe David Brown (novel), Alvin Sargent (screenplay)

Stars:

Ryan O'Neal, Tatum O'Neal, Madeline Kahn

Won 1 Oscar. Another 7 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ryan O'Neal	...	Moses Pray
Tatum O'Neal	...	Addie Loggins
Madeline Kahn	...	Trixie Delight
John Hillerman	...	Deputy Hardin / Jess Hardin
P.J. Johnson	...	Imogene
Jessie Lee Fulton	...	Miss Ollie
James N. Harrell	...	The Minister (as Jim Harrell)
Lila Waters	...	The Minister's Wife
Noble Willingham	...	Mr. Robertson
Bob Young	...	Gas Station Attendant
Jack Saunders	...	Station Master
Jody Wilbur	...	Cafe Waitress
Liz Ross	...	The Widow Morgan - Pearl
Yvonne Harrison	...	The Widow Bates - Marie
Ed Reed	...	The Lawman - Bates' Home

Storyline

Set in the midwest of the depression-era, Paper Moon follows Moses Pray and Addie Loggins - one a con artist, the other, the young girl who's the daughter of a woman who's just passed away. The pair meet when 'Mose' stops by the sparsely-attended funeral in Kansas of a woman he once knew (we never see her). In attendance, is the woman's young daughter, Addie, whom Moses agrees to transport to St Joseph, Mo -- for money, of course. Mose - an inveterate hustler, has been working ostensibly as a representative of the Kansas Bible Company - who picks his marks from the obits, and tries to sell - at exorbitant prices - the decedents' spouse the custom bible they'd previously ordered. Wise beyond her years, Addie picks up on Moses' grift, and very quickly, she and Mose become a team. Traveling from town to town, making money in every dishonest way imaginable, and looking for the ultimate score. The colorful characters they meet along the way make the film all the more interesting. One in ...

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Plot Keywords:

great depression | father daughter relationship | whiskey | bible | con artist | 

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Taglines:

These aren't everyday people and this is no ordinary movie.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 May 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Paper Moon

Filming Locations:

US-159 Bridge, Rulo, Nebraska, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Directors Company, Saticoy Productions, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tatum O'Neal's Oscar-winning performance is her only Academy Award nomination.

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Goofs

In the bootlegging scene in the field, the boxes are obviously empty. There's no sound of glass or liquid moving around, and they tumble around when the car moves.

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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.

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Crazy Credits

Special thanks to the people in and around Hays, Kansas and St. Joseph, Missouri

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Connections

Referenced in Chelsea Lately: Episode #7.161 (2013)

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Soundtracks

(It Will Have to Do) Until the Real Thing Comes Along
(1936) (uncredited)
Written by Mann Holiner, Alberta Nichols, Sammy Cahn, Saul Chaplin and L.E. Freeman
Performed by Leo Reisman and His Orchestra
Vocal by Larry Stewart

User Reviews

A "must-see"

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"!