Paper Moon main backdrop
Paper Moon main poster

Paper Moon

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7.9/10 • 703

1973-05-091h 42m

ComedyCrimeDrama

As P.T. Barnum put it, "There's a sucker born every minute."

A bible salesman finds himself saddled with a young girl who may or may not be his daughter, and the two forge an unlikely partnership as a money-making con team in Depression-era Kansas.

Directors
Peter Bogdanovich
Editors
Verna Fields

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Tatum O'Neal

    Tatum O'Neal

    Addie Loggins

  2. Ryan O'Neal

    Ryan O'Neal

    Moses Pray

  3. Madeline Kahn

    Madeline Kahn

    Trixie Delight

  4. John Hillerman

    John Hillerman

    Deputy Hardin / Jess Hardin

  5. Jessie Lee Fulton

    Jessie Lee Fulton

    Miss Ollie

  6. Noble Willingham

    Noble Willingham

    Mr. Robertson

  7. Randy Quaid

    Randy Quaid

    Leroy

  8. P.J. Johnson

    P.J. Johnson

    Imogene

  9. James N. Harrell

    James N. Harrell

    The Minister

Reviews2

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John Chard Avatar

John Chard

Jan 27, 2016

9/10

Utterly delightful. Father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O'Neal, under Peter Bogdanovich's superlative direction, produce one of the most affectingly warm and cunningly sly movies of the 1970s. Set in depression era America and beautifully photographed in pristine monochrome by Laszlo Kovacs, it's a period piece that refuses to get old, such is the deft imagery and sharpness of the screenplay. Story essentially comes down to conman Moses Pray (R. O'Neal) hooking up with orphan Addie Loggins (T. O'Neal), who may or may not be his actual daughter. Addie proves to be a precocious live wire, not easily fooled and she smokes, cusses and is more than capable of pulling a con herself. After initial indignation, Moses comes to court Addie's strengths and they form a dynamic partnership as they travel through Kansas, pulling cons left right and centre and piling the money up. But can it last forever? The chemistry between father and daughter is obviously set in stone, with young Tatum an absolute revelation. The screenplay gives them both ample opportunities to enchant and amuse the viewer as they get up to all sorts of tricks and scrapes. Yet there's always that feeling hanging in the dusty air that something has to give, that we are treading firmly in bittersweet territory, the crafty couple having earned our complete investment in their well being keeping us concerned even as we laugh out loud. Delightful. 9/10

Media

  • Paper Moon poster
  • Paper Moon poster
  • Paper Moon poster
  • Paper Moon poster
  • Paper Moon poster
  • Paper Moon poster
  • Paper Moon poster
  • Paper Moon poster
  • Paper Moon poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$2,500,000.00
Revenue
$30,900,000.00
Keywords
friendshipfuneralmissouribiblecon mancarnivalgreat depressionauntroad tripkansas, usacontween girl