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Paper Moon

Play trailer Poster for Paper Moon PG Released May 9, 1973 1h 42m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 54 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O'Neal team up as slick con-artists Moses Pray and Addie Loggins in 1930s Kansas. When Moze is unexpectedly saddled with getting the 9-year-old Addie to relatives in Missouri after the death of her mother, his attempt to dupe her out of her money backfires, and he's forced to take her on as a partner. Swindling their way through farm country, the pair is nearly done in by a burlesque dancer (Madeline Kahn) and an angry bootlegger.
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Paper Moon

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Critics Consensus

Expertly balancing tones, Paper Moon is a deft blend of film nostalgia and finely tuned performances -- especially from Tatum O'Neal, who won an Oscar for her debut.

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Critics Reviews

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Jake Cole Slant Magazine Peter Bogdanovich’s 1973 dramedy Paper Moon offers a kind of synthesis of his prior two critical and commercial hits. Nov 26, 2024 Full Review Penelope Gilliatt The New Yorker The picture demonstrates that in the head of a writer given to swooning and to creating swoons a criminal may seem an admirable character. Jan 23, 2024 Full Review Gary Arnold Washington Post The problem with Paper Moon is that it’s hollow at the center. The central relationship, involving a small-time con man and a tough little girl who practice a Bible-selling racket in the Midwest during the Depression, remains undeveloped and unaffecting. Aug 8, 2022 Full Review David Harris Spectrum Culture With Paper Moon, Bogdanovich funneled the comedy of What’s Up, Doc? and crossed it with the dusty, melancholy DNA of The Last Picture Show to create his last truly great film. Jun 17, 2025 Full Review Chance Solem-Pfeifer Willamette Week The genius of Tatum O’Neal’s performance in Paper Moon begins with her thousand-yard stare. Jan 22, 2025 Full Review Preston Barta Denton Record-Chronicle 'Paper Moon' isn't a mere narrative about con artists; it's a film that reflects on the complexities of human connections and the stark realities of life during the Great Depression. A classic of American cinema. Jan 15, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Valentine i loved seeing it on 16mm, great movie and theater 3 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/03/23 Full Review Stephen C Funny in 1 hour and 42 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/30/25 Full Review john h A period film set in the "radio days" of Earth that is moved by the duo Ryan and Tatum O'Neal. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/07/25 Full Review Christian K A remarkable throwback production, the lead pair work perfectly together and a 10-year old is acting circles around everyone. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/20/25 Full Review Lars N This is how you do nostalgia. I couldn't believe it was made in '73. What a vision and a wonderfully heartfelt story to boot. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/21/25 Full Review Fer S Beautiful movie! Fantastic acting and a heartwarming connection between protagonists. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/14/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Paper Moon

Paper Moon: Official Clip - Too Young to Smoke Paper Moon: Official Clip - Too Young to Smoke 1:48 Paper Moon: Official Clip - Together Again Paper Moon: Official Clip - Together Again 2:05 Paper Moon: Official Clip - 200 Dollars Paper Moon: Official Clip - 200 Dollars 2:13 Paper Moon: Official Clip - Parting Ways Paper Moon: Official Clip - Parting Ways 1:48 Paper Moon: Official Clip - Bible Salesmen Paper Moon: Official Clip - Bible Salesmen 2:09 Paper Moon: Official Clip - Escaping the Cops Paper Moon: Official Clip - Escaping the Cops 2:11 Paper Moon: Official Clip - $20 Bill Paper Moon: Official Clip - $20 Bill 2:09 Paper Moon: Official Clip - Calling the Shots Paper Moon: Official Clip - Calling the Shots 2:13 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O'Neal team up as slick con-artists Moses Pray and Addie Loggins in 1930s Kansas. When Moze is unexpectedly saddled with getting the 9-year-old Addie to relatives in Missouri after the death of her mother, his attempt to dupe her out of her money backfires, and he's forced to take her on as a partner. Swindling their way through farm country, the pair is nearly done in by a burlesque dancer (Madeline Kahn) and an angry bootlegger.
Director
Peter Bogdanovich
Producer
Peter Bogdanovich
Screenwriter
Joe David Brown, Alvin Sargent
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures, The Directors Company, Saticoy Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 9, 1973, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 21, 2010
Runtime
1h 42m
Sound Mix
Mono
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Flat (1.85:1)
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