Paper Moon: Madeline Kahn as Trixie Delight

Paper Moon (1974)
A film by Peter Bogdanovich
written by Alvin Sargent, from the novel by Joe David Brown

Miss Trixie Delight:

Hey, what's up, kiddo? Your daddy says you're wearing a sad face. Ain't good to have a sad face. Hey, how'd you like a coloring book? Would you like that? You like Mickey the Mouse?

(stumbles, then harshly)

Oh, son of a bitch!

(recovers, sighing and giggling to cover up curse)

Now come on, down to the car and let's all be friends. You see me smile? C'mon, let's see you smile like Aunt Trixie, now c'mon, c'mon down to the car with mademoiselle!

(silence, Addie continues to stare)

Kiddo, I understand how you feel. But you don't have to worry. One of these days you're going to be just as pretty as mademoiselle, maybe prettier. You already got bone structure. When I was your age, I didn't have no bone structure. Took me years to get bone structure. And don't think bone structure's not important! Nobody started to call me mademoiselle until I was seventeen and getting a little bone structure. When I was your age I was skinnier than a pole! I never thought I'd have nothing up here! You're going to have them up there too.

(beat. sharply changes tactics)

Look, I tell you what, do you want me to show you how to use cosmetics? Look, I'll let you put on my earrings, you're gonna see how pretty you're going to be. And I'll show you how to make up your eyes. And your lips. And I'll see to it that you get a little bra or something! But now you're gonna pick your little ass right up, you're gonna drop it in the backseat, and you're cut out the crap, you understand?

(Trixie turns away, expecting Addie to follow. When she doesn't, she begins to speak again, being strangely honest, but not without a familiar level of general contempt for Addie and sickly sweetness)

You're going to to ruin it, ain't ya? Look, I don't want to wipe you out. And I don't want you wiping me out, y'know? So I'm gonna level with you, okay? Now you see, with me it's just a matter of time. I don't know why but somehow I just don't manage to hold on real long. So if you wait it out a little, it'll be over, y'know? I mean, even if I want a fella, I always manage to get it screwed up. Maybe I get a new pair of shoes, a nice dress, a few laughs...times are hard. Now if you fool around on the hill up here, then you don't get nothing, I don't get nothing, you don't get nothing. So how 'bout it, honey? Just for a little while? Let ol'Trixie sit up front with her big tits.

(giggles, anxiously)

....

In the picnic scene, Madeline Kahn initially refused to say the line "Let Miss Trixie sit up front with her big tits," objecting to the vulgarity. Director Peter Bogdanovich convinced her to say the line for only one take. This take appears in the final film. Kahn's odd reaction of embarrassment after saying the line is genuine.

Category:

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• Delight

[notaniceguy34]

it's probably this one scene that got kahn the oscar nomination. the only reason she lost to tatum o'neal is because they let her classify her role as best supporting actress when she should have been classified as best actress.

[BetteDavisMimic]

BRILLIANT!!! WHAT A WOMAN!!! You CANNOT talk about comedienne's without putting her in the top 10......OK....the top 5!!!! RIP BABE!

[RaeOwlRae]

@Lilyellowbirdlover08 I had this as a monologue for drama as well... weird

[Lilyellowbirdlover08]

Oh! I'm acting out this monologue for drama! Thanks for putting it up, sure helped me a lot! this'll be fun!

[hannahthebug]

Tatum has bone structure now :)

[corfan99]

A true comic actress genius! She could have me cracking up with "Mickey the Mouse....ah son of a bitch !" ... just the way she says 'bone structure'.

Something about her voice, delivery....she was awesome.

[19cal88]

@notaniceguy34

if they did it right, the film would have won TWO oscars, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress (Tatum and Madeline respectively)

[MrSchultzstaffel]

"Come on now hun...come get in the car with Ms. Trixie...OWW! SON OF A BITCH!!" Now that's a classic performance to say the least! =D