17.8.11

Paper Moon (1973)




A favorite film of mine; the stark black-and-white imagery calls to mind the works of Walker Evans and Dorothea Lange, and Addie Pray gives Scout Finch a run for the money in the category of Greatest Gruff Little Tomboy of the Great Depression. In these hot, dusty last days of summer, its aesthetic is everything I want.

Perhaps one of the best parts is the soundtrack!
 Have a listen, and then scroll down for some pictures.
(images nabbed from all over the web. click to enlarge.)








I'd guess most of you have seen this classic before, but on the off chance you haven't, please do. It's on Netflix Instant Watch now, as a matter of fact. It's a little sappy, sure, but it's awfully endearing and a wonderful evocation of the Dust Bowl-era American Midwest.


15 comments:

  1. This is one of my absolute favorites! Addie is such a great character, both her and Mose are crusty yet lovable. And your are so right about the sappiness of the film but it's also kind of sparse which meshes so well with the era and backdrop.

    Love this movie so much, you've made me want to watch it yet again!

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  2. Oh I have not seen this it looks wonderful, wish we had netflix in the UK! X

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  3. I will have to watch that! It looks like something I would love. The cast sounds really great, as well!

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  4. I haven't watched this movie yet, but it caught my eye the other day when I was looking for something to watch on netflix instant. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. Gosh, I've known about this movie for years, and yet I've never watched it! I think I need to move it to the top of my list!

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  6. my gosh, i forget the beautiful Madeline Kahn is in this film.
    so wonderful. love the feel of it and the mood it puts me in. (creatively) just ahh

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  7. Oh, it's been YEARS. Must rewatch this! I agree: GREAT music.

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  8. Yeah! "Paper Moon" virgins!! I know you'll love it.

    Ginger, I guessed you might like it, from your blog title and all ;)
    Alexis and Baroness, it's one of those classics you can see over and over and never tire of, isn't it? Such a simple, sweet, but rich film.

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  9. I think we must be twin souls - we keep watching the same stuff and at the same time! I watched this last week with my man - I've seen it several times before and it was his first viewing. Just as hilarious and touching as ever - I love this film so much!! xoxo

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  10. Hehe I was a papermoon virgin until last year! :) I loved it too! You have wonderful taste as always Dakota! I'm so sad summer is nearing it's end! NOoooooo! I hope you are excited for college! What is it you are going to study? Zoë x

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  11. I saw this movie a year and a half to two years ago after wanting to for YEARS and I loved it. It's so good and I love that they are really daughter and father so it made it more amazing to me.

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  12. oh i love the aesthetics of this movie... so inspiring!

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  13. Great movie and even better blog! I have given you The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award. Please visit my blog - wacky tacky - to find out the what's, where's, why's and how to's. Thanks for maintaining such a great blog space!

    http://thewackytacky.blogspot.com/2011/08/awards-season.html

    Cheers!

    Mr. Tiny

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  14. I just watched this tonight based on your recommendation and loved it! What else would you recommend that's similar?

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  15. Hey, the "let's have another cup of coffee/and let's have another piece of pie" line from "Let's Have A Cup O' Coffee" is LizzieMaine's signature on the FL. I can see why, it's a perfect song to characterize the 'false hope' aspect of the Great Depression. It's arguably a better Depression-era anthem than "Brother Can You Spare A Dime," even. Though I suppose it's a song that captures the 21st century buyers' mentality as well. "Mr. Herbert Hoover says now is the time to buy," indeed! Then and now, Americans like their pie.

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