Almost Nobody Knows That Parts Of The Iconic Movie Paper Moon Were Filmed Throughout Small-Town Kansas
By Lisa Sammons|Updated on April 08, 2024(Originally published April 10, 2023)
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Lisa Sammons
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Lisa loves animals and has dogs, rats, cats, guinea pigs, and snakes. She is passionate about animal rescue and live music - traveling across the country to see a favorite band is a pretty regular occurrence! Being out hiking in the woods enjoying the scenery with her beloved dogs is another favorite hobby, and also checking out the Pokemon Go scene in whatever city she happens to be in at any given time (coffee and dog leash in hand). You can reach Lisa at lsammons@onlyinyourstate.com
Paper Moon was one a popular film in the 1970s, though you don’t hear much about it today. The 1973 comedy-drama was adapted from a novel and shot entirely in black and white. The story is set in Kansas and Missouri during the Great Depression, but where was Paper Moon filmed? and the film was shot almost entirely in several small towns throughout the Sunflower State. It can sometimes feel like Kansas is ignored by the movie industry, so it’s great to see movies filmed in Kansas! Let’s take a peek at some of the most notable Paper Moon filming locations:
Paper Moon received excellent reviews upon its release. The story focuses on a con man, played by Ryan O'Neal, who agrees to deliver a young orphan, played by Ryan's real-life daughter, Tatum O'Neal, to her aunt in St. Louis, Missouri.
Lisa Sammons/Only In Your State
This was eight-year-old Tatum's first acting role, and she was widely praised for her performance. She was awarded a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award, making her the youngest competitive Oscar winner ever.
The film was shot throughout a variety of small towns in Kansas. The town of McCracken seems about as far from Hollywood as you can get - it's only got a population of around 150 people. The opening scene of the film, when Tatum O'Neal's character is attending her mother's funeral, was filmed in McCracken's Nickel Cemetery.
Another Paper Moon filming location featured in the movie is Wilson. Today, this town has a population of around 850. You can catch a shot of the characters walking along the train tracks in Wilson, right by the old Sunflower Coal buildings.
3. Midland Railroad Hotel, Wilson
Midland Railroad Hotel & Restaurant, 414 26th St, Wilson, KS 67490, USA
One poignant scene in the movie takes place at the train station in Gorham. The train station has been demolished, but the town is still here and has a population of just under 400.
The movie's bittersweet ending takes place in Plainville - compared to the other places we've mentioned, it's a bustling metropolis with around 1,700 residents! The scene was shot near King's Hill, a landmark right on the outskirts of town.
Have you ever seen Paper Moon or any other movies filmed in Kansas? Which is your favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Want to show off your Sunflower State pride everywhere you go? Check out the great Kansas gear available at Wear Your Roots!
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