Ford is fascinated by conartists, impostors and other pathological liars, some of who have been made famous by bestselling books and hollywood biopics. Based on a true story, this film follows the life of ferdinand waldo demara, jr. Ferdinand waldo demara began his nefarious career during world war ii by borrowing an army buddys name, going awol and faking his suicide. A government weapons specialist is accused of being one such android and sets out to prove his innocence. For a film about a man with many masquerades, the subject matter is treated with remarkable levity. This is one of a handful of movies that despite its a list cast, probably wont make it to dvd, much less bluray. The film wavers uncertainly between tense drama and frothy comedy, with comedy finally winning out. Crichton was born in albuquerque, new mexico, and grew up in bronxville, new york. High time fanny this label refers to the following compilation album. Spencer olham is a lauded government scientist whose latest work promises to save the planet.
He served in the infantry during world war ii, and was wounded during the battle of the bulge in 1944. The great impostor for 15 years his suburban virginia neighbors believed he was james dee francis sheker, a good family man and a successful engineer who waved to them each morning on his way to. Bold, downright audacious, ferdinand waldo demara pretended his way into challenges that would leave others drenched in sweat. For example, one of the most famous impostors in recent history is frank abagnale, inspiration for the spielbergdicaprio film catch me if you can. The great impostor 1961 wtony curtis public domain tube. Bet your life, and made a cameo in horror film the hypnotic eye.
An illustration of a computer application window wayback machine an illustration of an open book. But as the new film shows, that was just the start of the story. But the two should be viewed side by side for comparison. In 1960, as a publicity stunt, demara was given a cameo in the horror film the hypnotic eye as a hospital surgeon. Leos frank abegnale is also spoton, but i think i like tony curtiss performance a tad. The great impostor is the true story of chameleonlike canadian ferdinand waldo demara jr. Shop great impostor dvd 1961 region 1 us import ntsc. The great impostor by robert mulligan robert mulligan, tony curtis.
The great impostor 1960 in a film based on actual events, when ferdinand waldo demara jr. The great impostor 1961 starring tony curtis recently leonardo dicaprio did a similar film and catch me if you can did not take as lighthearted an approach as the great imposter. Hollywood actor tony curtis played demara in the 1961 movie version of his life, the great impostor. Tiring of the effort and time needed to complete his law degree. Mulligan reteamed with curtis on the great impostor 1961, a biopic about impersonator ferdinand waldo demara, jr. Other articles where the great impostor is discussed. Will the real fred demara please stand up overview.
For a film that should have high stakes, even when there is a slight hint that things will take a turn, the film remains ebullient. He is in the category of what i call charisma actors. The great impostor is a 1961 movie based on the true story of an impostor named ferdinand waldo demara. Coast guard, the authorities discover that demara has had many. We at have lowered the cost of all store items for a limited time. Tony curtis, who made a career out of conning people by posing as various. Crichtons first book, the great impostor, published in 1959, was the true, if picaresque, story he served in the infantry during world war ii, and was wounded during the battle of the bulge in 1944. The imposter, a 1927 novel by the french writer georges bernanos. In the same year, the movie the great impostor, starring tony curtis, was issued, probably based on an early demaras biography written by robert crichton in 1959.
In the future, an alien race uses androids as bombs to attack earth. The great impostor by robert mulligan robert mulligan. Before returning to the states, he ran an ice cream factory on the outskirts of. The highestgrossing 1961 films from countries outside of north america. Rather, he was the great impostor, a charming rogue who tricked his way to notoriety. He began his nefarious career during world war ii by borrowing his army buddys name, going awol and faking.
With tony curtis, karl malden, edmond obrien, arthur oconnell. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. With shane brolly, vincent donofrio, gary sinise, madeleine stowe. Great britain format lp release date 1969 also contains music from. Fitionalized account of ferdinand waldo demara worked in a variety of occupations, most quite successfully. Great impostor, the buy posters from buy posters from moviegoods buy this soundtrack from search ebay for. He was known as the great impostor and inspired a 1961 film by the same name. The great impostor film by mulligan 1961 britannica. The film only loosely follows demaras reallife exploits, and is much lighter in tone than the book on which it is based. The earth has been at war with an alien force for over a decade. Message to our customers to help do our part during these uncertain times in the world and to help encourage social distancing.
Unable to decide what he wants to do with his life, demara goes about pretending to be other people, hoping to eventually find himself. Imposter movie,the great imposter trailer,the great imposter 1960. Start by marking the great impostor as want to read. Film actor tony curtis, who played demara in the movie the great impostor. The amazing career of ferdinand waldo demara, who posed as a surgeon, a prison warden, a doctor of philosophy, a trappist monk and many, many others robert crichton. Those who knew demara were quick to point out that curtiss movie star good looks in no way resembled demara, who was beefy and not especially handsome. The great impostor 1961 robert mulligan, tony curtis, karl malden, edmond obrien, comedy, drama march 21, 2016 based on a true story, a bright young man who hasnt the patience for the normal way of advancement finds that people rarely question you if your papers are in order. But the story, enhanced by the seriocomic talents of tony curtis in. For some reason, the world is enthralled with the idea of the impostor. Next was come september 1961, a sprightly romantic comedy set in italy. He was the great imposter, and his exploits became a bestselling biography, followed by a 1961 movie. The great imposter official trailer curtis stars in this biography of reallife impostor ferdinand waldo demara, jr. Hes the great impostor the fleetwoods 1961 youtube. He worked as a prison warden, impersonated a monk and was also a doctor was required to perform an personal gain although he did get in.
The year 1961 in film involved some significant events, with west side story winning 10 academy awards. Tony curtis, who made a career out of conning people by posing as various professionals, including a doctor, a. The great impostor 1961 e livre 03011961 us comedy 1h 53m user score. The great impostor 1960 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Arthur oconnell, edmond obrien, gary merrill, karl malden, raymond massey. The great impostor 1960 cast and crew in a film based on actual events, when ferdinand waldo demara jr. Robert crichton january 29, 1925 march 23, 1993 was an american novelist. The screenplay is deftly constructed, and robert mulligans direction is swift, yet leaves. The great impostor is the true story of chameleonlike canadian ferdinand waldo. Jun 3, 1925 sep 29, 2010 age 85 send flowers opens send flowers url in a new window. Ferdinand waldo demara impersonated everyone from physicians to monks and thus achieved notoriety. Robert crichton author of the secret of santa vittoria.
Demaras wild exploits will recognize that the film is not a harebrained exaggeration of the facts. Before returning to the states, he ran an ice cream factory on the outskirts of paris. Curtis was never an exceptional screen actor but a decent one, probably more for his good looks and charisma than his ability to become different people. This article appeared june 20 in the pathway of the missouri baptist convention. First shown as a school teacher placed under arrest by state troopers, the story recounts how the untrained, uneducated yet brilliant young man assumes the identity of a college professor, trappist monk, prison warden and surgeon in the canadian navy. Fictionalized account of ferdinand waldo demara jr. Great conartists and impostors, some made famous by. The great impostor 1961 robert mulligan, tony curtis.
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