I have not seen this show since 1975, when it went out on B.B.C.-2 in a slot reserved for U.S. sitcoms ( others included 'Rhoda' and 'Chico & The Man' ) called 'The American Way'. My memories are hazy, but I do recall that it was a most charming series. However, it has been lost in the mists of time.
It was a spin-off from Peter Bogdanovitch's 1973 hit movie of the same name, set in Depression Era America. Real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O'Neal played 'Moses Pray' and 'Addie Loggins'. He is a con man who makes a living selling bibles at inflated prices to the recently bereaved. He is stuck with the daughter of a former lover, whom he has promised to take to an aunt in Missouri. He resents her presence initially, and she does not care for him either. But over time, a relationship develops. She helps him out in several tricky situations too. The O'Neals were wonderful together, and with the late Madeline Kahn contributing an Oscar-winning role as prostitute 'Trixie Delight', the film was a smash.
Recasting took place for the series. The late Christopher Connolly, one of the stars of the soap opera 'Peyton Place' ( an actor noted for his resemblance to O'Neal ) took up the role of 'Moses', with the then-unknown twelve year old Jodie Foster as 'Addie'.
The movie was in black and white. The series, obviously, could not be. Each episode began with a monochrome shot of Moses driving down a country road, and the colour seeped in.
Because Moses and Addie were constantly on the road, the locations and supporting characters changed each week. In one episode, Lawrence Pressman played 'Gordon', a rival con man who threatens to break up Moses' relationship with Addie.
There was no laugh track on the episodes I saw, but I suspect this was probably not the case with the U.S. showings ( as happened with 'M#A#S#H' ). If so, then it is a shame as it probably spoilt the delicate nature of the humour. Connolly was more than adequate as 'Moses', while I preferred Foster's 'Addie' to Tatum's.
Like I said, I liked it, but perhaps it was a bit too genteel for television audiences, particularly in the era of 'All In The Family' and so many shows where subtlety was not appreciated. Only 13 episodes were made. It has not resurfaced since then, not even Foster's successes in 'The Accused' and 'Silence Of The Lambs' has provoked any interest in 'Paper Moon' ( I wonder if she herself might be blocking reruns/a D.V.D. release? ).
It would be nice to see it again after all these years though.
It was a spin-off from Peter Bogdanovitch's 1973 hit movie of the same name, set in Depression Era America. Real-life father and daughter Ryan and Tatum O'Neal played 'Moses Pray' and 'Addie Loggins'. He is a con man who makes a living selling bibles at inflated prices to the recently bereaved. He is stuck with the daughter of a former lover, whom he has promised to take to an aunt in Missouri. He resents her presence initially, and she does not care for him either. But over time, a relationship develops. She helps him out in several tricky situations too. The O'Neals were wonderful together, and with the late Madeline Kahn contributing an Oscar-winning role as prostitute 'Trixie Delight', the film was a smash.
Recasting took place for the series. The late Christopher Connolly, one of the stars of the soap opera 'Peyton Place' ( an actor noted for his resemblance to O'Neal ) took up the role of 'Moses', with the then-unknown twelve year old Jodie Foster as 'Addie'.
The movie was in black and white. The series, obviously, could not be. Each episode began with a monochrome shot of Moses driving down a country road, and the colour seeped in.
Because Moses and Addie were constantly on the road, the locations and supporting characters changed each week. In one episode, Lawrence Pressman played 'Gordon', a rival con man who threatens to break up Moses' relationship with Addie.
There was no laugh track on the episodes I saw, but I suspect this was probably not the case with the U.S. showings ( as happened with 'M#A#S#H' ). If so, then it is a shame as it probably spoilt the delicate nature of the humour. Connolly was more than adequate as 'Moses', while I preferred Foster's 'Addie' to Tatum's.
Like I said, I liked it, but perhaps it was a bit too genteel for television audiences, particularly in the era of 'All In The Family' and so many shows where subtlety was not appreciated. Only 13 episodes were made. It has not resurfaced since then, not even Foster's successes in 'The Accused' and 'Silence Of The Lambs' has provoked any interest in 'Paper Moon' ( I wonder if she herself might be blocking reruns/a D.V.D. release? ).
It would be nice to see it again after all these years though.