The Flim-Flam Man
Directed by Irvin Kershner
Written by William Rose based on a novel by Guy Owen
1967/US
IMDb link
First viewing/You Tube
[box] Mordecai Jones: Educational Credits: “M.B.S., C.S., D.D. – Master of Back-Stabbing, Cork-Screwing and Dirty-Dealing!”[/box]
This is an OK con man comedy along the lines of The Sting and Paper Moon which are both superior, despite the heroic efforts of George C. Scott in this.
Curley (Michael Sarrazin) is AWOL and on the run from Military Police. He hitches a ride on a train and meets Mordecai Jones (Scott). Jones takes a liking to the youngster and proceeds to introduce him to many different scams. Some take advantage of the greed of the victim. Others are just theft. Along the way the two run up against Sherrif Slade (Harry Morgan – what a career he had!). Curley falls in love with Bonnie Lee Packard (Sue Lyon) the daughter of one of their marks. With a ton of great character actors including Slim Pickens, Jack Albertson, Alice Ghostly and Strother Martin.
I probably shouldn’t be reviewing this as the copy on YouTube was blurry and distracting. Also I came specifically to hear the title tune, which was written by Laura Nyro and covered by Barbra Streisand. It was nowhere to be found! Setting those things aside, this is moderately enjoyable fare.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hEm6LiU3rw
Laura Nyro singing the song
