Paper Moon

Adam and Nate discuss “The Great Money Caper” (S12E7), a classic Simpsons-style genre mashup episode about con artist movies, and its parody of Paper Moon (1973). Can Peter Bogdanovich’s daddy-daughter road trip movie give Homer and Lisa a run for their money?

Also in this episode:

• Orson Welles’s one weird trick that cinematographers don’t want you to know about

• Can Peter Bogdanovich make a period piece without nostalgia?

• How the real-life daddy-daughter relationship of Ryan and Tatum O’Neal shows up on screen, for better or worse

• Adam’s review of an unlicensed Simpsons-themed escape room

Next time, Nate and Adam check out the forgotten message movie CHARLY (1968) and its episode-long Simpsons parody in “HOMR” (S12E9).

Every Simpsons Reference to Paper Moon

By our count, Paper Moon has been directly referenced once in the first 13 seasons of The Simpsons. The first and only reference appears in “The Great Money Caper” (S12E7) from 2000, 27 years after the release of the movie.

Scene References

The Great Money Caper (S12E7): When Homer and Bart try to scam Ned Flanders with a family bible supposedly bought by Maude, Flanders quickly recognizes it as a con stolen from this movie.

While it may not be a direct parody, Homer suping up his crappy car with a gilded hood ornament, rims, and customized license plate also mirrors Moses’s priorities in this movie.

Bonus: The Amazing Christopher

When we recorded this podcast episode, we were a bit baffled by Michael Jackson appearing on the boardwalk with four marionettes in “The Great Money Caper.” What was his a reference to?

Well, after some belated online sleuthing, it looks like this is probably a reference to The Amazing Christopher, a novelty dance act that was ubiquitous on live TV leading up to the airing of this Simpsons episode. Christopher toured with Eddie Murphy in the late 1980s, performed for U.S. presidents, and appeared on The Tonight Show and the The American Comedy Awards. Check out a recording of his act below.

Extra Credit

Looking for more like this or an interesting double feature? Here are our recommendations.

• From Adam: Matchstick Men (2003), Sweet and Lowdown (1999)

• From Nate: About a Boy (2002), Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Further Reading & Viewing

• Article: Mark Harris, “Paper Moon: Partners in Crime,“ The Criterion Collection, November 26, 2024.

• Article: Emma Keates, “Tatum O'Neal shares new info about filming Paper Moon with father Ryan O'Neal,“ AV Club, July 17, 2023.

• Article: Seth Abramovich, “After Her Debilitating Stroke, Tatum O’Neal Attempts to Heal a Fractured Relationship With Dad Ryan O’Neal,“ The Hollywood Reporter, July 17, 2023.

• Article: Stephen Pizzello, “László Kovács, ASC: Promise Fulfilled,” American Cinematographer, August 23, 2021.

• Article: Trav S.D., “The Necromancers of New Hollywood: How Nostalgia in 1970s Pop Culture Fed My Love for Vaudeville,“ Travalanche, February 24, 2019.

• Article: Ken Anderson, “Paper Moon 1973,“ Dreams Are What Le Cinema Is For…, August 8, 2014.

• Article: William Beutler, “Watch Out, Laszlo Panaflex!“ The Wikipedian, June 22, 2009.

• Encyclopeda Entry: “Baby Teeth in Use,” Fonts In Use, accessed January 11, 2026.

• Encyclopedia Entry: “Paper Moon,“ AFI Catalog of Feature Films, accessed January 11, 2026.

• Article: “Peter Bogdanovich’s Paper Moon is a treasure to come back to even after all these years,“ Cinephilia Beyond, accessed January 11, 2026.