Paper Moonis a 1973 Americanroadcomedy-dramafilm directed byPeter Bogdanovichand released byParamount Pictures.ScreenwriterAlvin Sargentadapted the script from the 1971 novelAddie PraybyJoe David Brown.The film, shot inblack-and-white,is set inKansasandMissouriduring theGreat Depression.It stars the real-life father and daughter pairing ofRyanandTatum O'Nealas protagonists Moze and Addie.
| Paper Moon | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Peter Bogdanovich |
| Screenplay by | Alvin Sargent |
| Based on | Addie Pray byJoe David Brown |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | László Kovács |
| Edited by | Verna Fields |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 102 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2.5 million[1] |
| Box office | $30.9 million[2] |
Tatum O'Neal received widespread praise from critics for her performance as Addie, earning her theAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actress,making her theyoungest competitive winnerin the history of theAcademy Awards.
Plot
editInGorham, Kansas,circa 1936, itinerantcon manMoses Pray meets nine-year-old Addie Loggins at her mother's graveside service, where the neighbors suspect he is Addie's father. He denies this, but agrees to deliver the orphaned Addie to her aunt's home inSt. Joseph, Missouri.
At a local grain mill, Moses convinces the brother of the man who accidentally killed Addie's mother to give him $200 for the newly orphaned Addie. Addie overhears this conversation and, after Moses spends nearly half the money fixing his oldModel Aconvertible and buying her a train ticket, she demands the money as rightfully hers, whereupon Moses agrees to let Addie travel with him until he has raised back the full $200 to give to her. Thereafter, Moses visits recently widowed women, pretending to have previously sold expensive, personalized Bibles to their deceased husbands, and the widows pay him for the Bibles inscribed with their names. Addie joins the scam, pretending she is his daughter, and exhibits a talent for confidence tricks, such as selling Bibles and thequick change scam.As time passes, Moses and Addie become a formidable team.
One night, Addie and "Moze" (as Addie addresses him) stop at a local carnival, where Moze becomes enthralled with an "exotic dancer" named Miss Trixie Delight and leaves Addie at a photo booth to have her photograph taken alone (of herself sitting on a crescent moon, to suggest the film's title). Much to Addie's chagrin, Moze invites "Miss Trixie" —and her downtrodden teenage maid, Imogene—to join Addie and him. Addie soon becomes friends with Imogene and jealous of Trixie. Imogene reveals that Trixie works, at least occasionally, as a prostitute, and it is suggested she has a venereal disease causing her a frequent need to urinate. When Addie subsequently discovers that Moze has spent their money on a brand-newModel 48convertible to impress Miss Trixie, she and Imogene devise a plan. They convince a clerk at the hotel where the group is staying to visit Trixie. Addie then sends Moze up to Trixie's room, where he discovers the clerk and Trixie having sex. Moze promptly leaves Miss Trixie and Imogene behind, with Addie leaving Imogene enough money to pay for her own passage home.
While staying at another hotel in a rural area, Moze uncovers abootlegger's store full ofwhiskey,steals some of it, and sells it back to the bootlegger. Unfortunately, the bootlegger's twin brother is the local sheriff, and he quickly arrests Addie and Moze. Addie hides their money in her hat, steals back the key to their car, and the pair escape. To elude pursuit, they trade their new car for a decrepitModel Tfarm truck after Moze beats ahillbilly,Leroy, in a"rasslin' match."
Moze and Addie make it across the state line to Missouri, where Moze sets up another swindle, only to be caught again by the sheriff and his deputies; outside their jurisdiction and unable to make an arrest, they beat Moze and rob him of his and Addie's savings. Humiliated and defeated, Moze drops Addie at the house of her aunt in St. Joseph, but a disappointed Addie rejoins him on the road. When he refuses her company, she reminds him that he still owes her $200 and points out that his truck has just rolled away without him. They catch the truck and leave together.
Cast
edit- Ryan O'Nealas Moses "Moze” Pray
- Tatum O'Nealas Addie Loggins
- Madeline Kahnas Trixie Delight
- John Hillermanas Deputy Hardin/Jess Hardin
- Burton Gilliamas Floyd
- P.J. Johnson as Imogene[3]
- James N. Harrellas The Minister
- Noble Willinghamas Mr. Robertson
- Randy Quaidas Leroy
- Hugh Gillinas 2nd Deputy
- Rose-Mary Rumbley as Aunt Billie[4]
Production
editDirector
editThe film project was originally associated withJohn Hustonand was to starPaul Newmanand his daughter, who was a child actor at the time namedNell Potts.However, when Huston left the project, the Newmans became dissociated from the film as well.[5]Peter Bogdanovichhad just completedWhat's Up, Doc?and was looking for another project when his ex-wife and frequent collaboratorPolly Plattrecommended filming Joe David Brown's script for the novelAddie Pray.Bogdanovich, a fan of period films, and having two young daughters of his own, found himself drawn to the story, and selected it as his next film.[6]
Casting
editAt the suggestion of Polly Platt, Bogdanovich approached eight-year-oldTatum O'Nealto audition for the role, although she had no acting experience. Bogdanovich had worked with Tatum's fatherRyan O'NealonWhat's Up, Doc?,and decided to cast them as the leads.[6]
Screenplay
editVarious changes were made in adapting the book to film. Addie's age was reduced from twelve to nine to accommodate young Tatum, several events from the book were combined for pacing issues, and the last third of the novel, when Moses and Addie graduate to the big leagues as con artists after going into partnership with a fake millionaire, was dropped. The location was also changed from the rural south of the novel–primarilyAlabama—to midwesternKansasandMissouri.[6]
Filming locations
editThe film was shot in the small towns ofHays, Kansas;McCracken, Kansas;Wilson, Kansas;Dorrance, Kansas,andSt. Joseph, Missouri.Various shooting locations include the Midland Hotel atWilson, Kansas;the railway depot atGorham, Kansas;storefronts and buildings on Main Street inWhite Cloud, Kansas;Hays, Kansas;sites on both sides of theMissouri River;Rulo Bridge;and St. Joseph, Missouri.
Props
editThe car Moses is driving when he agrees to take Addie home is a 1930 Ford Model A convertible; the car Moses buys to impress Miss Trixie is a1936 FordV8 De Luxe convertible.[7]The whiskey being sold by the bootlegger shown toward the end of the film is Three Feathers blended whiskey, a label introduced by Oldtyme Distilling Corp. in 1882 and still produced up to the 1980s.[8]The bottle ofsoda popAddie drinks is from Nehi Soda, by a company founded as Chero-Cola in 1910, in 1925 renamedNehi Corporation,which becameRoyal Crown Companyand laterDr Pepper/Seven Up, thenDr Pepper Snapple Group.
Title
editPeter Bogdanovich also decided to change the name of the film fromAddie Pray.While selecting music for the film, he heard the song "It's Only a Paper Moon"byBilly Rose,Yip Harburg,andHarold Arlen.Seeking advice from his close friend and mentorOrson Welles,Bogdanovich listedPaper Moonas a possible alternative. Welles responded: "That title is so good, you shouldn't even make the picture, you should just release the title!"[6]Bogdanovich added the scene in which Addie has her picture taken in a paper moon solely so the studio would allow him to use the title.[9]
Cinematography and editing
editDirector of photographyLászló Kovácsused a red filter on the camera on Orson Welles's advice. Bogdanovich also useddeep focuscinematographyandextended takesin the film.[6]
Release
editThe film was released on April 9, 1973, in Hollywood and May 9 in the United States.
Home media
editThe film released on VHS in 1980, re-released 1984, and re-released again in 1995. The LaserDisc released on 1982 and Director Series on May 7, 1995. The DVD released on August 12, 2003.The Criterion Collectionis set to release the film on4KandBlu-rayon November 26, 2024.[10]
Reception
editBox office
editThe film earned an estimated $13 million in North American theater rentals in 1973 (equivalent to $89 million in 2023).[11]
Critical response
editVincent CanbyofThe New York Timespraised "two first-class performances" from Ryan and Tatum O'Neal but found the film "oddly depressing" and unable to "make up its mind whether it wants to be an instant antique or a comment on one".[12]Roger Ebertgave the film his top four-star rating and commented that "a genre movie about a con man and a little girl is teamed up with the real poverty and desperation of Kansas and Missouri, circa 1936. You wouldn't think the two approaches would fit together, somehow, but, they do, and the movie comes off as more honest and affecting than if Bogdanovich had simply paid tribute to older styles".[13]Gene Siskelgave the film three-and-a-half stars out of four and wrote that Tatum O'Neal "is more than cute. Her role is something special in the well-established tradition of children on film."[14]
Arthur D. Murphy inVarietycalled Tatum O'Neal "outstanding" and added, "Alvin Sargent's screenplay is a major contributor to the overall excellent results".[15]Charles Champlinof theLos Angeles Timeswrote that Tatum O'Neal was "just plain marvelous andPaper Moonis a tough, funny, beautifully calculated diversion ".[16]Gary Arnold ofThe Washington Postwrote that the film "may prove a keen disappointment if you go with high expectations. At its best the film is only mildly amusing, and I'm not sure I could come up with a few undeniable highlights if pressed on the point".[17]Tom MilneinThe Monthly Film Bulletincalled the film "very easy to take, especially as Alvin Sargent's dialogue has a nice edge of wit. The trouble is that the film covers all the ground it is going to cover in the scene in the restaurant near the beginning when we, with Ryan O'Neal, first realise that the sweetly awful child is going to be more than a match for him as far as wits are concerned".[18]
OnRotten Tomatoesthe film holds an approval rating of 90% based on 48 reviews, with an average rating of 8.7/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Expertly balancing tones,Paper Moonis a deft blend of film nostalgia and finely tuned performances – especially from Tatum O'Neal, who won an Oscar for her debut. "[19]Metacriticassigned a weighted average score of 77 out of 100 based on eight critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[20]
Awards and nominations
edit
At theAcademy Awards,Tatum O'Nealwon theAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actress,making herthe youngest competitive Academy Award winneras of 2023[update](at age 10).[21]
Other media
editIn September 1974, atelevision seriescalledPaper Moon,based on the film, premiered on theABCtelevision network, withJodie Fostercast as Addie andChristopher Connelly(who had appeared as O'Neal's brother in the earlier ABC series,Peyton Place) playing Moses. It was not a ratings success, and its thirteenth and last new episode aired in December 1974.[22][23][24]
A stage musical adapted from the film andAddie Praywas produced at thePaper Mill Playhousein 1993. The show featured a book by Martin Casella, music byLarry Grossman,and lyrics byEllen FitzhughandCarol Hall,and was directed by Matt Casella. The cast includedGregory Harrison,Christine Ebersole,Brooks Ashmanskas,andChristopher Sieber.[25][26]
InThe Simpsonsepisode "The Great Money Caper",Homer and Bart conduct a series of cons, initially to pay to repair the family car. Their attempt to con Ned Flanders by claiming delivery of a personalised Bible ordered by his late wife Maude and requesting reimbursement unravels when Ned realises the con's similarity to that in the filmPaper Moon,at which point Homer and Bart bolt.
Legacy
editThe head writer of the television seriesObi-Wan Kenobi,Joby Harold,looked at the filmsPaper MoonandMidnight Runas influences forObi-Wan KenobiandLeia Organa's relationship after the latter's rescue.[27]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^Tied withBarbra StreisandforThe Way We Were.
References
editCitations
edit- ^Terry, Clifford (January 7, 1973)."Bogdanovich in the Flat Lands".Chicago TribuneMagazine.p. I39.RetrievedMay 25,2022.
- ^"Paper Moon, Box Office Information".The Numbers.Archivedfrom the original on May 31, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 17,2012.
- ^Klemesrud, Judy (May 16, 1973)."How an Overweight 15‐Year‐Old Found Happiness on a Movie Set".The New York Times.
- ^"Rose-Mary Rumbley".IMDb.Archivedfrom the original on February 15, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 4,2020.
- ^Stafford, Jeff (October 2006).Paper MoonArchivedDecember 2, 2007, at theWayback Machine.Turner Classic Movies.Accessed April 11, 2020.
- ^abcdeBogdonavitch, Peter (1973).Paper Moon (Special Features)(DVD). Paramount Pictures.
- ^"Paper Moon, 1973".Internet Movie Cars Database.Archivedfrom the original on January 16, 2018.RetrievedNovember 19,2019.
- ^"LIQUOR: The Schenley Reserves".Time.September 29, 1952.ISSN0040-781X.RetrievedNovember 19,2019.
- ^WTF PodcastEpisode 632,August 27, 2015.
- ^"Paper Moon (1973)".The Criterion Collection.RetrievedAugust 24,2024.
- ^"Big Rental Films of 1973".Variety.January 9, 1974. p 19.
- ^Canby, Vincent(May 17, 1973)."Bogdanovich's 'Paper Moon' at Coronet".The New York Times.p. 53.
- ^Ebert, Roger (June 15, 1973)."Paper Moon".Chicago Sun-Times.Archivedfrom the original on May 1, 2021.RetrievedDecember 17,2018– viaRogerEbert.com.
- ^Siskel, Gene (June 15, 1973)."He's just mad about Addie".ArchivedOctober 19, 2019, at theWayback Machine".Chicago Tribune.Section 2, p. 1.
- ^Murphy, Arthur D. (April 18, 1973)."Paper Moon".Variety.p. 22.
- ^Champlin, Charles (June 13, 1973)."'Paper Moon'—Real Star ".Los Angeles Times.p. D1.
- ^Arnold, Gary (June 15, 1973). "A Hollow 'Paper Moon'".The Washington Post.B1.
- ^Milne, Tom (January 1974). "Paper Moon".The Monthly Film Bulletin.41(480): 13.
- ^"Paper Moon (1973)".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango Media.RetrievedJanuary 23,2024.
- ^"Paper Moon Reviews".Metacritic.Fandom, Inc.RetrievedApril 4,2021.
- ^"The 46th Academy Awards (1974) Nominees and Winners".Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.Archivedfrom the original on April 2, 2015.RetrievedOctober 2,2011.
- ^McNeil, pp. 540–541.
- ^Brooks & Marsh, p. 795.
- ^The Classic TV Archive Paper Moon Accessed 23 October 2022
- ^Daniels, Robert L. (September 27, 1993)."Paper Moon".Variety.RetrievedDecember 27,2023.
- ^Klein, Alvin (September 26, 1993)."THEATER; 'Paper Moon' Changes Its Outlook as a Musical".New York Times.RetrievedDecember 27,2023.
- ^Breznican, Anthony(June 3, 2022)."Obi-Wan Kenobi:Darth Vader Was Originally Even More Terrifying ".Vanity Fair.Archivedfrom the original on June 3, 2022.RetrievedDecember 21,2023.
Bibliography
edit- Brooks, Tim & Marsh, Earle (1995).The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows: 1946-Present.Ballantine Books.ISBN0-345-39736-3.
- McNeil, Alex (1996).Total Television.Penguin Books USA, Inc.ISBN0-14-02-4916-8.
External links
edit