Paper Moon (1973): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Paper Moon is a 1973 comedy drama directed by Peter Bogdanovich, starring Noble Willingham, Madeline Kahn and Ryan O'Neal. It is partly based on Paper Moon by Joe David Brown and Peter Bogdanovich. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes and earned $591 worldwide. It won 1 Oscar, including Actress in a Supporting Role, and 2 awards in all. Critics gave it 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.1/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 42m (102 min)
- Director
- Peter Bogdanovich
- Original language
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Chinese - Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Paper Moon About?
The premise of Paper Moon without spoilers, adapted from Paper Moon by Joe David Brown and Peter Bogdanovich. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A charming and bittersweet story follows a struggling salesman and a young girl he discovers abandoned during the Depression. He reluctantly takes her under his wing, and they embark on a journey across the American countryside, encountering various characters and situations as they try to find her parents. Their relationship evolves amidst hardship and humor, creating an unforgettable and poignant experience.
Paper Moon Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- great depression
- con artist
- 1930s
- bible salesman
- based on novel
- child born out of wedlock
- scam
- bible
- girl
- missouri
- kansas
- con man
+38 more Show fewer
- carnival
- road movie
- title based on song
- reluctant hero
- long take
- precocious child
- orphan
- affection
- father daughter relationship
- death of mother
- car chase
- interrogation
- escape
- foot chase
- child smokes a cigarette
- girl dresses as a boy
- widow
- hotel
- dual role
- twin brother
- prostitute
- door to door salesman
- caught having sex
- listening to a radio
- corrupt sheriff
- teenage girl
- police station
- girl wears eyeglasses
- aunt niece relationship
- crossing a state line
- pickup truck
- beating
- african american
- tomboy
- anti hero
- maid
- on the road
- road trip
Paper Moon Cast
Noble Willingham leads the cast, with Madeline Kahn and Ryan O'Neal. Directed by Peter Bogdanovich; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Director Peter Bogdanovich
Also Starring in Paper Moon
· 6 moreMore from Peter Bogdanovich
More films directed by Peter Bogdanovich, best-rated first: The Last Picture Show, The Great Buster: A Celebration, Noises Off... and Saint Jack.
Paper Moon Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Paper Moon 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.1/10.
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IMDb 8.1 /10
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 77 Metascore
User score 8.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 79% User score
See on TMDB
Paper Moon Plot Summary
What happens in Paper Moon from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
It’s the early 1930s, and amidst a small funeral gathering at the gravesite of Essie May Loggins, two female acquaintances stand by, while her 9-year-old daughter, Addie, mourns. Arriving fashionably late is Moses Pray, a charming young man with a questionable past, revealing that he was one of Essie’s lovers. The attendees speculate about a possible resemblance between Moses and Addie, hinting at his potential paternity, which Moses quickly denies. However, the women soon persuade Moses to drive Addie to her relatives in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Full summary
The whole story of Paper Moon, scene by scene
Paper Moon Box Office
Paper Moon grossed $591 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$591
Paper Moon Awards & Nominations
Paper Moon won 1 Oscar, including Actress in a Supporting Role, and 2 awards in all. Its biggest night was the Golden Globes 1974, with 1 win from 6 nominations.
2 wins10 nominations2 ceremonies
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Golden Globes 1974 1 win · 6 nominations- Won New Star of the Year – Actress – Tatum O'Neal
- Nominated Best Director – Peter Bogdanovich
- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Drama
- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (Actor) – Ryan O'Neal
- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (Actress) – Tatum O'Neal
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Oscars 1974 1 win · 4 nominations- Won Actress in a Supporting Role – Tatum O'Neal
- Nominated Actress in a Supporting Role – Madeline Kahn
- Nominated Sound
- Nominated Writing (Screenplay—based on material from another medium)
Paper Moon Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Paper Moon.
How Well Do You Know Paper Moon?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In what year is 'Paper Moon' set?
Cars in Paper Moon
12 cars on screen, including the 1930 Ford Model A and the 1936 Ford V8 De Luxe.
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1930 Ford Model A Main role -
1936 Ford V8 De Luxe Main role -
1930 Chevrolet Universal Important role -
Ford Model TT Important role
Paper Moon Also Known As
28 alternative titles, including “Luna di carta” and “Хартиена луна”.
- Also known as
-
- Luna di carta
- Хартиена луна
- Lua de papel
- Paperikuu
- La barbe à papa
- Luna de papel
- Χάρτινο Φεγγάρι
- Papírhold
- Papierowy księżyc
- Mesec od papira
- Ay Beyazdir
- ペーパームーン
+16 more Show fewer
- 페이퍼 문
- Papírový měsíc
- Papierový mesiac
- Paper Moon - Luna di carta
- Бумажная луна
- Luna de hârtie
- ירח של נייר
- 纸月亮
- ペーパー・ムーン
- Aya Yolculuk
- Паперовий місяць
- 紙月亮
- ماه کاغذی
- Lluna de paper
- พระจันทร์กระดาษ
- Paberist Kuu
Seen Paper Moon?
Movies Like Paper Moon
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Blue Moon, On Moonlight Bay and Moonshine.
Paper Moon FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Paper Moon, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Paper Moon?
Paper Moon runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).
When was Paper Moon released?
Paper Moon was released on May 9, 1973.
Who directed Paper Moon?
Paper Moon was directed by Peter Bogdanovich.
More films by Peter Bogdanovich Who is in the cast of Paper Moon?
Paper Moon stars Noble Willingham, Madeline Kahn and Ryan O'Neal, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Paper Moon make at the box office?
Paper Moon grossed $591 worldwide.
How is Paper Moon rated?
Paper Moon has 8.1/10 on IMDb, 77 on Metacritic and 79% on TMDB.
Is Paper Moon based on a book?
Yes. Paper Moon is partly adapted from Paper Moon by Joe David Brown and Peter Bogdanovich.
What awards did Paper Moon win?
Paper Moon won 2 awards from 10 nominations, including New Star of the Year – Actress at the Golden Globes 1974.
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