Paper Moon (1973) Car Scene

[@DATo_DATonian]

According to the director, Peter Bogdanovich, THIS clip was the hardest scene of the movie to film. There is no trick photography in this scene, they are actually driving in a car (if I remember right they were being towed). Whenever they flubbed their lines they would have to turn around and drive all the way back to the beginning where they would have to start the drive all over again. It took 2 days of filming and 39 "takes" to get it done correctly. The reason was because there is so much dialogue in this scene that it was very hard for both Tatum and Ryan to remember their lines perfectly; and added to that was the fact that the scene had to be done in one long sequence, without any camera breaks in the filming. The fact that Tatum could complete this scene at all at 8 1/2 years old is reason enough for the Academy Award she won.

[@ohreally331]

All you say is right. Also the reason the director wanted it done with no camera breaks is he said the longer the scene goes without a camera shift, the more the audience is sucked into the scene.

[@dennistucker9081]

@@ohreally331How delightful!

[@Gisada033012]

Thanks for this fact

[@luthersaldana]

She tripped over her line at 1:47. I think she looks up (possibly at the director) at 1:53 to see if they were gonna keep going. Ryan’s demeanor changed a little around this same point, so I think he may have assumed they were gonna have to start over…

[@dutchcountryman1290]

She deserved the Oscar just for that look she gives him at the very end.

[@elizabethdavis7922]

That kills me.

[@kallen868]

No doubt.

[@atlasking6110]

All that fighting and then Moze asks Addie if she's hungry and she smiles and says "uh huh" and your heart just MELTS.

[@SwinkMcloud]

My heart melts double after that when she pauses and looks at Moze before she puts the cigar box full of money back, knowing Moze isn't going to take his cut and they really do have a bond.

[@Johnny7051MC]

One of my favorite scenes in the film. A little over a two minute take with neither of them missing a beat,…very impressive! You just can’t take your eyes off of Tatum, she was so natural and funny. 1:27 “you look in the box too don-cha!!” Absolutely hilarious!

[@NoLegalPlunder]

Just keep on veering. Ever since I saw this movies long ago i use that phrase whenever I can.

[@Toywithme200]

This was a great movie. Filmed in 1973. tatum won the oscar for best supporting actress, and she deserved it, for a little kid to memorize all that dialog, and she was so natural.

[@KB-bf7qi]

I love this scene. She never backs down from him.

[@technodroog]

an amaaaaaazing scene...i couldn't possibly remember all those lines in an uninterrupted take - and i'm 37. Tatum was 9!!

[@jevicci]

It apparently took them 39 takes over 2 days to get this scene.

[@Emcostanza]

Proud violent Libtard true but a child has no concept of money

[@knockknock1246]

@@Emcostanza In regards to amount of takes, Tatum did. In regards to the life of the role of the girl portrayed in the movie, both would have such a concept. This setting for the movie was less than a decade after the big stock market crash. If you knew how to speak a language then, finances were at the top of the list of what was learned.

[@knockknock1246]

@@Emcostanza No, I'm not a libtard. I'm just someone who is trying to make someone portraying a conservative in a bad light to muddy the waters a little more educated.

[@knockknock1246]

Yes, so many takes but how perfect it all was! The rapid back and forth with correct emotions ...so much to remember too. That must have been stressful for both of them, especially the young Tatum. Perfect casting.

[@edwardwilliammorris1340]

This film is an enchanting piece of film history. It's beautifully made and flawless acting . And it's aged very well . A masterpiece

[@TheClassica87]

This was the scene that won Tatum the Oscar. Extremely hard for an adult actor to do this type of scenario in one take, but when she did it as a child it was worthy of Oscar. ;)

[@Brendan-Black]

Huh...I didn't realize they gave Oscars to actors based on just one scene, that seems rather silly to me. I'm not so sure about that. I imagine they gave her an Oscar for her performance in the entire film.

[@lauramalek3128]

Nine years old during filming if I recall. One or two lines in a film as a bit part for a child is one thing, but she DEF deserved the kudos for this she received at the time!

[@Pickleleen]

Over 40 takes to get it to the director's satisfaction.

[@charliejdk]

That’s a great bit of film lore. Stupendous movie. Only gets better.

[@dennistucker9081]

I’m not sure I agree with the intimation that she won the Oscar *because* she was a child. However, I have never researched this so I really don’t know. But I would like to. Does anyone have any sources?

[@1mikerowens]

I read this book on a camping trip with my dad in Colorado when I was 14 or 15. Loved it. Later when I saw the movie I loved that too. But reading it in a car, in a tent, at the campfire etc... so many memories. Thanks for posting. I miss my dad sometimes. AND this scene reminds me of driving to and from Oregon with my little girl, Ginger Lee

[@kallen868]

I had the book too!😍

[@johncarpenter987]

One of my favorite films of all times

[@treatb09]

Such a good movie. Its fantastic. The film work and acting are both perfect.

[@mjt2231]

Absolutely BRILLIANT movie!!!

[@starbird1111]

An absolute American Treasure of a film. It really does take me back to bein a kid seein this on the tv on a Saturday afternoon with my Grandma every once in while. Back in Penny that is. Thems 1972 days mind ya.

[@frickadele]

Tatum deserved an academy award. No cuts between their long dialogues.

[@heavenlovestitanic]

She did win an oscar for this movie. She was the youngest to ever win an oscar

[@MontagZoso]

Masterpiece of a movie. ❤️

[@kallen868]

😍👍👏

[@samshublom8761]

"You gotta go through somethin' to get to Sylvan Groove" is, for me, one of the most memorable lines in the movie. I think of it every time I am driving anywhere near that town.

[@elviradobis31]

"We just gotta keep veerin', that's all." Is one I say when I get lost. Which is often. 😂

[@peterhuber1702]

2 days and 39 takes.........I wonder how relieved they were when they finally nailed it and didn't have to drive back and forth over that stretch of road anymore!!!

[@peterhuber1702]

From IMDB website, ...."Peter Bogdanovich has said that the long, one-take sequence where Addie and Moze fight in the car about running out of Bibles took 2 days and 39 takes to get right. It was shot on a one-mile stretch of road just before hitting a very modern portion of the town, so each time a line was flubbed, they would have to turn everything around and drive back."

[@misfit8308]

In my opinion, this makes it even more impressive. To keep the acting "fresh", over hours and hours, take after take, is beyond me. I would have to move on to something else and come back to it.

[@valeriewallander897]

Standing Ovation, Tatum.

[@Linda-kf4sp]

I didn’t know this movie excised but now I can’t get enough!

[@nfelvis68]

I watched this today and loved it.

[@redbird444]

Most miss the little thing she does with her tongue talking about Frankie Roosevelt. That and the look at the end. Precious...

[@bHuffy82]

Just like life, "we just have to keep on veering, that's all"

[@stuartwray6175]

That's what I thought too.

[@orpheus9037]

Cast and crew were likely past exhaustion and near oblivion by the time they nailed this scene. Oddly, the exhaustion paid off - Ryan O'Neill truly looks tuckered as though having spent the day on road driving (which, in reality, he and Tatum have - just over the same patch of dirt road nearly 40 times). Beyond the performance, Paper Moon really does capture the weary, chicken-scratch feel and look of mid-America in the 30s. The movie is timeless and built to last.

[@erichaynes7502]

Yes he must've been tired but the car was being towed the whole time.

[@orpheus9037]

@@erichaynes7502 No doubt - I don't think anyone trusted a 40 year old jalopy driven under its own power to get them through the day's shoot. Something odd about this scene: the multiple retakes done to finally get it right are reminiscent of Kubrick's multiple - and taxing - retakes he often put actors through, though with Kubrick, it didn't matter whether the actors got it right or not. Not long after finishing Paper Moon, Ryan O'Neil would find himself in Ireland on the set of Kubrick's Barry Lyndon.

[@infonut]

I think the farm exemplified this best. Shoeless, ignorant, moonshine, rednecks with fields overgrown trying to scratch out a living.

[@59vlada]

Love how she shuts down that smile at the end :~)

[@relcychoho]

the entire movie - awesome intelligent conversation - the art of arguing is demonstrated nobelly

[@leestockton9367]

Just the most magnificent film ever. Tatum O'Neal's acting was outstanding and her Oscar well deserved. There's an upcoming UK actor called Tallulah Conabeare who reminds me of Tatum and I suspect in years to come will be equally as skilled an actor

[@v-boyinla8404]

Just absolutely perfect acting -- mainly from Ms O'Neal. She did everything perfectly -- worked her props, expressions (affect matching mood), voice (tone, accent, pacing), pronunciation of local towns, body language (blocking/movement), costume, and remaining in focus and frame. It does not get any better than this. She pulled off reading a map perfectly. This scene should be shown (demonstrated and analyzed) in drama classes. The Academy Award for best PERFORMANCE by a supporting actress was completely earned. Had a fantastic role model sitting next to her -- just watch his absolutely refined skill in What's Up, Doc and Love Story.

[@retha1875]

I am watching the Peyton Place soap opera and the main characters and actors I like are Ryan O'NEAL and Barbara Parkins

[@CALawyer]

They filmed this scene more than 25 times before getting it right. She has since said it was her favorite scene. She'd mess up her lines and they we have to go back and start over, including the drive. This was filmed on an actual road.

[@atlasking6110]

And for the Bad News Bears, Tatum trained with a pitching coach for 3 months so she could do her own pitching because she didn't want them to use a boy stunt double for her. Of course, they added sound effects in post to make it sound like she was pitching a lot harder than she was, but she really was pitching those balls. She was one hard-working little actress!

[@rahlohmcdonogh4855]

That "anh huh"was so precious.

[@KellyGreen5555]

So funny how much alike these two characters! Brilliant. "We just have to keep on veering, that's all." Tatum deserved that Best Supporting Oscar.

[@rrock2025]

Your comment is brilliant.

[@msmysterieux2705]

Loved his performance

[@Kwales66]

Awwww Bless her. I love this scene..

[@deeway1963]

A classic and one of my favorites! =)

[@hello_its_me.]

One of my all time faves.

[@2002mlavon]

I love this movie!

[@johnnypastrana6727]

Ryan should have won the oscar for best actor...

[@borbetomagus]

Ryan O'Neal does a great job, but it just makes me want to watch what Jack Lemmon brought to his Academy Award winning performance in "Save the Tiger" (1973), along with the other Academy Award nominated performances by Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino and Robert Redford (what? no Paul Newman?).

[@345mrse]

R.I.P. Mr. O’Neal.

[@guynorth3277]

This is so awesome, I can't remember when I first saw this.

[@ionpavlidis5978]

Ryan O' Neal had a wonderful old hollywood charm to him. A genuine talent that was undermined by his frailties.

[@odietamo9376]

Such a great movie.

[@AAMPictures]

I grew up in Ellis county, Kansas, where a majority of this was filmed. So cool.

[@rayburton4867]

THIS IS BRILLIANT ACTING! CLASSIC 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@McRocket]

The most impressive part for me is how long this scene was - unedited. And I don't care how many takes it took. Tatum O'Neal was one, amazing child actor. ☮

[@josephedric4081]

1:49 For some reason that line "We just have to keep on veering, that's all" cracked me up.

[@PhoenixProdLLC]

"You've got an excuse for everything!" "'Cause you blame me for everything!" The way her eyes fall to the left of the audience and his to the right, makes this scene all that more perfect. Earlier she suggests stopping to help the poor family stranded out with some of their money, and he begins making pragmatic excuses for why they can't. Then accuses her of making excuses lol This was great social commentary on more than just an obvious, character level, imo. She's a cynical child through circumstances but has a good heart on board. He's a cynical adult through circumstances who'd excused himself for not having one. No doubt she does a mind blowing job here, but Ryan did as well. It seems like it would be hard for an adult, much less the father of the kid, to keep a straight face when she's still got that toddlers mumble on her 'R'(waz) 😂. Between Tatum and Jodie, there just weren't a heck of a lot of stories being written in that era of film for kids and when there were, it was usually centered around a male child. I think there was an all kid film along the lines of Little Rascals called Bugsy Malone or something like that. I haven't seen this whole movie but am definitely going to check it out!

[@artistjoh]

Beeble Brox I hope you did get to watch the whole movie because it is a very special film. I was lucky to see it when it was new in the theaters in the 70’s. I never forgot it.

[@drewrosecrans9728]

Awesome movie I remember my mother took me to see it I was like six and I had a big crush on Tatum O'Neal 🙂❤️

[@Imforthewhales]

Thank God they made this movie. Its a treausre.

[@holygoalie3]

This scene made me tear up

[@mycatsheenacashappid4240]

Love this movie.

[@cjtrickstar6060]

I love this scene, it took them forever to film

[@kqr573v2]

We could veer off to Hoisington! This scene was shot in one long take with no cuts or breaks. Since nothing modern could appear in the background, every time they had to cut and start over, they had to return to the same point on the road where the broken down truck was pulled over. According to the director, it took 2 days and 39 takes to get this scene right. It would be hard for an adult actor to get everything perfect in such a long scene with complicated dialogue, let alone a child.

[@erichaynes7502]

The cute confused look on her face after he says "We've got to have bibles don't we?"

[@ledamate]

That is what I first noticed about this scene .. no cuts/ dialouge was well rehearsed.

[@agnernai]

Reminds one of the beautiful depth and contrast available with Black & White.

[@elviradobis31]

The story is that Orson Welles (who was a friend of Peter Bogdonavich's at the time) encouraged him to shoot in black and white. "Why, Orson?" "Because it's the actors friend. Every performance looks better in black and white."

[@kevinwhelan9607]

So so good- and all in one take🎉

[@babushki521]

Tatum didn't just win because she was precocious, feisty and cute. It's because movie making can be a very demanding thing for child actors. It's like how they talk about people winning because they went through crazy physical transformations (Natalie Portman Black Swan) or they learned things they didn't know for the role (languages, history). A lot of people don't know Tatum could barely read. The director Peter Bogdonovich would chain her to a tree until she nailed her lines. Crazy talented

[@csmcmillion]

Real acting.

[@robblemob]

all one shot. great acting them o'neals

[@califgirl101]

Totally crazy funny scene! man, these two are a riot! The scene that i like is where they escape from the jail and I was hoping somebody would post that particular scene!

[@Brendan-Black]

That is a GREAT scene!

[@Johnny7051MC]

“Daddy, I need to go to the shithouse” hahaha!!

[@gregwddriver]

For you car guys, it's a '30 Model A. Wonderfull distinct exhaust note.

[@SladeBling]

1:39 Moze: "We gotta have bibles don't we"? Addie: Gives the cutest confused expression ever.

[@noahmizrahi9834]

Wasn't Randy Quaid in this movie somewhere?

[@kawasakiwhiptwo5821]

Yes. He and Ryan O'Neal wrestle for a car.

[@noahmizrahi9834]

@@kawasakiwhiptwo5821 well keep your sunny side up then

[@maxmeh2342]

@@kawasakiwhiptwo5821 Ahem....wrassled.

[@BMeister22]

Anybody else notice that this was all one take. No cuts.

[@8caulfield]

i am not complaining, i'm just saying that would take us down through lucas! xD love it

[@paulvoorhies8821]

Ryan was probably the best looking actor of the 70s. Soooo hot!

[@7927jackpark]

I'm fifty years behind on my To-do list, but I want to watch Paper Moon tonight, find out why Tatum O'Neill earned that Oscar when she was a kid. I bet she won't disappoint me.

[@Jcolinsol]

This film reminds me a bit of City of Lost Children, with the childlike father figure and the mature little girl character. I wonder if there are other films that depict this archetype.

[@maisie-on2zq]

"A Thousand Clowns", 1966

[@lesleyhubble2976]

Magnetic pair

[@andyhays7230]

The look of this reminds me of digital black and white today. That means digital can have the look of a 1970's film now! sorta anyways...

[@luthersaldana]

Tatum O’Neal tripped over her line at 1:47. You can see her look at the director at 1:53, probably to see if they were continuing anyway. Ryan’s demeanor also changed a little around this same point, so I think he may have been irritated thinking they were gonna have to start over…

[@oldfool666]

I wonder what that scene would be like today. They'd probably have two tanks chasing after them, a Hans Zimmer score booming and three models in the back seat complaining about diarrhea.

[@Linasosa1999]

Haha! What a great comment!

[@TinaLouise73]

Hard to beleive this was made the year I was born!

[@Maya220100]

How cute

[@lanadale1479]

Love the film!

[@richie649]

Brilliant!

[@rrock2025]

Your comment is brilliant!

[@erichaynes7502]

"Cause you bwame me for everything!"

[@lynnturman8157]

Bogdanovich said it took them all day to shoot this one scene (all one take like you pointed out) cause Tatum kept messing up.

[@Brendan-Black]

Well she WAS only 9 years old. She did a kickass job.

[@DanielWhite-v4e]

The scene seems cherished because it has the child talking back to the man like they are on the same level. The background doesn't seem important.

[@erichaynes7502]

She knows he loves having her as a partner.

[@TheGREATEST95]

i so badly wished it was longer and i heard the book has another half to it and the ending of the movie is only half of the book. obviously tatum oneal and ryan oneal are too old to do it and i want them to try to make a remake with the other half im not sure if it will be as good because theese actors in this film were perfect

[@m.hernandez1404]

Seat belts? What's that?

[@tolfan4438]

So many seems in this movie remind me of my daughter and me

[@Miximixos]

RIP Ryan :(

[@いけたこお]

アディとモーゼの距離感! 最初からアディはモーゼが大好きなんだよね。

[@DanielWhite-v4e]

It looks like they're apologising for their friends who don't have the time to negotiate for a better.

[@famalaasshole]

Yes

[@DanielWhite-v4e]

I don't know this film.

[@linkbiff1054]

Tatum upstaged her dad throughout the film.

[@elviradobis31]

And he never let her forget it! He punched her in the face when she was nominated for an Oscar and he wasn't.

[@alphaanimator]

It is a Pheno of Loved and the discomfort in their voice makes me mad.

[@lucaaaaaas]

love it

[@erichaynes7502]

I veered off to Horsington once, got my ass kicked.

[@tombowen6430]

…there’s not a scene in the entire film that’s not completely brilliant. Hats off to you all…..

[@DanielWhite-v4e]

[@johnosahon]

Oh Lord, arguing just like in their real lives

[@realcritical-kr2dd]

No kid would ever do these kind of stuff these days......except my daughter does

[@soosh9852]

Pretty impressive how good Ryan Gosling looks 50 years later

[@danbaron9094]

I Love You, Mitchell. Dad

[@Sweetiegirl18]

no. tatum made child acting a value and a respect that it is now. u should rephrase your statement to "if elle fanning, abigail breslin, chloe moretz, and hailee steinfield were a child actor back then, they wouldnt hold a candle to tatum o' neal.

[@saorisealba]

DONT MAKE EM LIKE THAT ANYMORE

[@rrock2025]

They don't make comments like yours anymore.