Bob Young II, James N. Harrell, Jessie Lee Fulton

A bible salesman teams up with an orphan girl to form a money-making con team in Depression-era Kansas.

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91% liked it

2,719 ratings

Critics

95% liked it

22 critics

PG, 1 hr. 42 min.

Directed by: Peter Bogdanovich

Release Date: May 9, 1973

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DVD Release Date: August 12, 2003

Stats: 653 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (653)


  • September 13, 2009
    Depression era con-man Moses Pray (Ryan O'Neil) reluctantly accepts the responsibility of transporting orphaned Addie Loggins (Tatum O'Neil) from her deceased mother's graveside to her Aunt's farm in Missouri. Along the way Moses discovers that his 9-year-old travel companion is ...( read more)a better con-artist than he is. The two are more alike than either would dare to admit and eventually they form an odd but profound friendship.

    I'm not sure if it was the comforting familiarity of working with her father or if it was just a character perfectly suited for her talents, but Tatum O'Neil knocks my socks off every time I watch this movie. If ever a young actress deserved Oscar recognition, she's the one. The kid is just spectacular (and the film isn't bad either!).
  • June 21, 2009
    Addie Loggins: I want my two hundred dollars.
    Moses Pray: I don't have your two hundred dollars no more and you know it.
    Addie Loggins: If you don't give me my two hundred dollars I'm gonna tell a policeman how you got it and he'll make you give it to me because it's mine.
    Moses ...( read more)Pray: But I don't have it!
    Addie Loggins: Then get it!
    Cafe Waitress: [walks over after Moses slams his fist on the table] How we doin', Angel Pie? We gonna have a little dessert when we finish up our hot dog?
    Addie Loggins: I don't know.
    Cafe Waitress: What do you say, Daddy? Why don't we give Precious a little dessert if she eats her dog?
    Moses Pray: Her name ain't Precious.

    Easily taking a place amongst my favorite con films, this movie is awesome. Its a lot of fun, stylish, very well written, great rhythmic dialog, and perfect chemistry between the two leads, who are father and daughter.

    Set in the depression era, Ryan O'Neal stars as a Moses Pray, a con man who suddenly arrives at a funeral. This is the funeral of the mother of a young girl named Addie, played by Tatum O'Neal. Addie has very little, dresses like a boy, complete with short hair, overalls, and flannel. She has an aunt in Missouri and manages to start traveling with Moses to that city. Moses may or may not be Addie's father and sees her presence initially as an inconvenience. Addie on the other hand, sees Moses pulling some schemes and attempts to join him in his business. The two form a team and despite constant bickering, they are quite good at scamming together.

    Moses Pray: I got scruples too, you know. You know what that is? Scruples?
    Addie Loggins: No, I don't know what it is, but if you got 'em, it's a sure bet they belong to somebody else!

    I really loved seeing these O'Neals together. They are wonderful. Ryan O'Neal has such a perfect delivery, holding up his accent, sleezy style, and attitude throughout and still making him a likable and fun character. Tatum O'Neal is nine years old in this film, but shows more talent than most actors here. She has a tricky character to play. She clearly doesn't know everything, but has the skills of a natural grifter. She doesn't act too feminine, but she doesn't like being mistaken for a boy. She's cute, but she doesn't try to be. And she bounces dialog off Moses in such a well handled way.

    There is a whole segment that involves the great Madeline Kahn as well, which slightly slows down the film, but is still a lot of fun and adds another great performance to the film, so it doesn't matter too much.

    Moses Pray: Now eat your Coney Island.

    Director Peter Bogdanovich, taking some advice from Orson Wells, decided to give the film a classy feel, giving more weight to its depression time period, by placing the film in black and white, which I think does add to the film. Its production design and costuming is well handled and gives the whole film a great feel and look.

    Just a wonderful and enjoyable film to watch.

    Moses Pray: I told you, I don't want you ridin' with me no more.
    Addie Loggins: You still owe me two hundred dollars.
  • January 25, 2009
    Road comedy set during the Great Depression about a father and daughter team who work as a couple of grifters. Hilarious, affectionate and stylish film makes excellent use of black and white cinematography. Director Peter Bogdanovich is at the top his game here.
  • January 8, 2008
    Another great use of B&W by Bogdanovich. They're sly, conniving, swindlers, but you care for them.
  • November 28, 2007
    Have fun with Ryan and Tatum as they con their way into your hearts/ Shot in gorgeous B&W. Highly Recommended.
  • November 4, 2009
    An engaging tale set in the era of the Depression in America. It follows the tale of a con man and a little girl whom are thrown together after the girl's mother's death. The child of course is Tatum O'Neal and she is an absolute delight. She is a breath of fresh air and does a s...( read more)uperb job as Addie. Other cast such as her father Ryan O'Neal also do a good job and it all goes along very nicely. Shot in black and white, it gives a sense of the era itself and is beautifully shot. A classic film which everyone should watch at least once.
  • September 5, 2009
    The interaction between Tatum and Ryan O'Neal is the heart of this movie. The plot and dialogue and side characters are all capable, but what makes this movie stand out is the chemistry between the real-life father/daughter acting pair. Without that casting, the movie would have ...( read more)faded into obscurity for me, but as it is, it's well worth watching just to see the two of them play off each other.
  • August 31, 2009
    Black-and-white retro feel, striking cinematography, and some energetic comedy built on plenty of straight-faced folly, managing significant rueful shifts of tone. The deadpan acting is a treat with Ryan O'Neal never more likable, but daughter Tatum O'Neal is a revelation. Madeli...( read more)ne Kahn's zaniness a bonus.
  • August 30, 2009
    Muy buena la actuacion de Ryan y Tatoon
  • August 12, 2009
    Funny and brilliant!

Critic Reviews


Comments


  • Riverfan93
    December 29, 2007
    I love Tatum O'Neal! She is my favorite actress of all time! She did a great job in this movie. It's hard to believe she was as young as she was when she did this movie. She deserved the Oscar and the title of the youngest person ever to win an Oscar!

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Paper Moon Trivia


  • Who is the youngest actress to win an Oscar for her supporting role in a film?  Answer »
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