The Flim Flam Man (1967)

Folksy rustic comedy about an old con man (George C. Scott) who takes a young man (Michael Sarrazin, THEY SHOOT HORSES DON'T THEY?), AWOL from the Army, under his wing and teaches him the tricks to con greedy people out of their money. But when he falls for a pretty Southern belle (Sue Lyon at her loveliest), he begins to rethink the association. Directed by Irvin Kershner (THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK), the film is a rather sweet tale about the bonding between the old scamming rascal and the friendless and lonely boy who become almost like a father and son. Only once does the movie sink to an indefensible level and that's when there's a tiresome car chase as Scott wrecks a small town with his crazy driving. Scott is too young at this stage of his career to play the old geezer but there's such an actor's pleasure in his own performance that you can't help but enjoy. The Kentucky locations are picturesque and the homespun score is by Jerry Goldsmith. With Jack Albertson, Harry Morgan, Albert Salmi, Alice Ghostley, Strother Martin and Slim Pickens.