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IMDbPro

Paper Moon

  • 19731973
  • PGPG
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
47K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,614
423
Tatum O'Neal and Ryan O'Neal in 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.
Play trailer3:56
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Comedy
  • Crime
  • Drama
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
47K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,614
423
  • Director
    • Peter Bogdanovich
  • Writers
    • Joe David Brown(novel "Addie Pray")
    • Alvin Sargent(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Ryan O'Neal
    • Tatum O'Neal
    • Madeline Kahn
Top credits
  • Director
    • Peter Bogdanovich
  • Writers
    • Joe David Brown(novel "Addie Pray")
    • Alvin Sargent(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Ryan O'Neal
    • Tatum O'Neal
    • Madeline Kahn
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 175User reviews
    • 64Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 8 wins & 10 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 3:56
    Trailer

    Photos171

    Tatum O'Neal in Paper Moon (1973)
    Tatum O'Neal in Paper Moon (1973)
    Tatum O'Neal and Ryan O'Neal in Paper Moon (1973)
    Tatum O'Neal and Ryan O'Neal in Paper Moon (1973)
    Tatum O'Neal and Ryan O'Neal in Paper Moon (1973)
    Tatum O'Neal and Ryan O'Neal in Paper Moon (1973)
    Tatum O'Neal and Ryan O'Neal in Paper Moon (1973)
    Tatum O'Neal in Paper Moon (1973)
    Ryan O'Neal in Paper Moon (1973)
    Tatum O'Neal and Ryan O'Neal in Paper Moon (1973)
    Tatum O'Neal and Ryan O'Neal in Paper Moon (1973)
    Tatum O'Neal and Ryan O'Neal in Paper Moon (1973)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ryan O'Neal
    Ryan O'Neal
    • Moses Pray
    Tatum O'Neal
    Tatum O'Neal
    • Addie Loggins
    Madeline Kahn
    Madeline Kahn
    • Trixie Delight
    John Hillerman
    John Hillerman
    • Deputy Hardin…
    P.J. Johnson
    P.J. Johnson
    • Imogene
    Jessie Lee Fulton
    Jessie Lee Fulton
    • Miss Ollie
    James N. Harrell
    • The Minister
    • (as Jim Harrell)
    Lila Waters
    • The Minister's Wife
    Noble Willingham
    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
    Ed Reed
    • The Lawman - Bates' Home
    Dorothy Price
    • Ribbon Saleslady
    Eleanor Bogart
    • The Widow Stanley - Elvira
    Dorothy Forster
    • The Widow Huff - Edna
    • Director
      • Peter Bogdanovich
    • Writers
      • Joe David Brown(novel "Addie Pray")
      • Alvin Sargent(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Tatum O'Neal was ten years old when she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in this movie, making her the youngest person ever to win an Oscar in a competitive category. As of 2020, she still holds this record. She was four years younger than her rival nominee, Linda Blair, in The Exorcist (1973).
    • Goofs
      Fibber McGee's famous "closet gag", so anticipated by Addie while listening to the radio, didn't start until 1940.
    • Quotes

      Addie Loggins: Daddy, I need to go to the shithouse.

    • Crazy credits
      Special thanks to the people in and around Hays, Kansas and St. Joseph, Missouri
    • Connections
      Edited into The Clock (2010)
    • Soundtracks
      It's Only a Paper Moon
      (1933) (uncredited)

      Music by Harold Arlen

      Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg and Billy Rose

      Performed by Paul Whiteman and Orchestra

      Vocal by Peggy Healy

    User reviews175

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    A terrific film on all levels
    Paper Moon has to be one of the finest pieces of American cinema to grace the 70's. Bogdanovich's direction bares a strong resemblance to The Last Picture Show, but overall this film is much more satisfying and enjoyable. The Black and White photography gives the film a nostalgic beauty that perfectly complements the Depression-era it attempts to recreate. Also notable is the charming Jazz-based score, with a wonderful opening title track, reinforcing the film's charm. As good as the story, direction and music are however, the true stars of the film are the O'Neal twosome. Both bring forth their best performances of their careers, and share a chemistry on screen that only a father and daughter could. Ryan O'Neal brings forth a subtle charm as the wise-talking, but inept hustler Moses Pray. Tatum however, even upstages her father with what has to be the best youth performance in history. She is funny and moving when need be, and always charming, eliciting laughs many times based solely on her malleable facial expressions. Her show-stopping five minute shot, no matter how long it took to film, proves just how fully Tatum was able to embody little Addie Pray. The movie is always entertaining, with never a dull spot, with a strong supporting performance by Madeline Kahn to help keep things rolling during the middle. This is a true classic that should be seen by people of all ages, I can't recommend it enough!
    helpful•88
    8
    • grolt
    • Feb 8, 2002

    FAQ6

    • Is "Paper Moon" based on a book?
    • How closely does the movie follow the novel?
    • Why was the title changed from "Addie Pray" to "Paper Moon"?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 9, 1973 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Mjesec od papira
    • Filming locations
      • Hays, Kansas, USA
    • Production companies
      • The Directors Company
      • Saticoy Productions
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,500,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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