Who doesn't love a Con Game performed by Father & Daughter? It's so endearing!
But this 1973 Black & White Movie Classic, set in the Depression; has enough charm to forgive their morals. It's not like they robbed a bank or anything!
The problem is; Actor Ryan O'Neil & his real life daughter Tatum make it look so easy; we just might wanna try doin' that over at Nordstrom!
And Tatum smokes too! Stealing from the Poor & selling engraved Bibles to Mourners from the Obituary Pages are one thing - but Smoking at her tender age makes me want to throw up in my mouth a litte!
But don't let that stop you; you ought to see the movie - if you haven't already! It's worth it just to see Actress Madeline Kahn juggle two men at once!
And Director Peter Bogdanovich's attention to detail takes us back into a time where the road trip through rural Kansas & Missouri make these small time swindler's adventures; ours as well.
MY FAVORITE SCENE in "Paper Moon" is when Tatum (Addie Pray) walks into a small Department Store while her Father, (Moze) buys Toothpaste & a bag of Sen Sen.
When he leaves the store; Addie asks for "Purple Toilet Water"; pays for it & then says she gave the Saleslady a Twenty Dollar Bill.
Note: $20 in those days was like $100 today. Make that 200!
SALESLADY
That'll be 75 cents.
Addie digs into her pocket & takes out a 5 Dollar Bill. She hands it to the Saleslady who puts the money in the drawer & gives Addie 4 Dollars & 25 cents change.
ADDIE
Lady, you made a mistake.
SALESLADY
Huh? I gave you 4 Dollars & a Quarter.
ADDIE
But I gave ya a 20 Dollar Bill.
SALESLADY
Uh-uh, you gave me a 5. I got no 20's in with the 5's.
MANAGER
What's all the turmoil. What's goin' on here?
SALESLADY
This little girl gave me a 5 Dollar Bill & I gave her change.
ADDIE
I gave her a 20 Dollar Bill. I know I did. It was a birthday present from my Aunt Helen in Wichita & she wrote"Happy Birthday Addie" on the end of it. You just go look & see.
That's it right there! That's my 20 Dollar Bill I got from my Aunt Helen in Wichita!
MANAGER
Give the child her 20 Dollar Bill & give her a piece of candy - and pay attention to things, Miss Bromwell!
***
Here's a marvelous prior scene using The Art of Distraction:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsRlT0Vz_yI&feature=related
Loved the movie, but we never really find out if they are in fact - Father & Daughter. What do you think this is - "Maury"?
If you're really curious - there's a knock-out scene in a Coffee Shop where Moze tries to distance himself from Paternity; but definitely demonstrates their joyful chemistry & charisma!
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V.Corso
OS Weekend Fiction Club
Thoth
Blinddream
Procopius
Rob St. Amant
Salon.com
Comments
PS Why do I have to log in every time I want to make a comment? I have only been back on OS two days and already its pissing me off.
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If you thought (correctly) that people will use the wee scam you described, what do you think would happen if I described a better one?
I'm not sure that I could describe it very well in print, either. This has to be taught in person. Presentation is everything. Should I ever have the good fortune to meet you in person, ask me about it then.
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