Ferdinand Waldo Demara Jr. is a versatile man who gets his kicks out of impersonating a marine, a monk, a navy surgeon and a prison warden, eventually getting in trouble with the law for it.
Our picks for what to watch this week include a shocking true story, a second season with lots of unanswered questions, and a murderous musical episode.
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Title: The Great Impostor (1960)
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2 nominations.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Tony Curtis | ... | Ferdinand Waldo Demara Jr. / Martin Donner / Dr. Gilbert / Ben. W. Stone / Dr. Joseph Mornay / Robert Boyd Hammnd | |
| Karl Malden | ... | Father Devlin | |
| Edmond O'Brien | ... | Capt. Glover - HMCS Cayuga | |
| Arthur O'Connell | ... | Warden J.B. Chandler | |
| Gary Merrill | ... | Pa Demara | |
| Joan Blackman | ... | Lt. Catherine Lacey | |
| Raymond Massey | ... | Abbott Donner | |
| Robert Middleton | ... | R.C. Brown | |
| Jeanette Nolan | ... | Ma Demara | |
| Sue Ane Langdon | ... | Eulalie Chandler | |
| Larry Gates | ... | Cardinal | |
| Mike Kellin | ... | Clifford Thompson | |
| Frank Gorshin | ... | Barney | |
| Cindi Wood | ... | WAC Lieutenant | |
| Dick Sargent | ... | Hotchkiss (as Richard Sargent) | |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Based on a true story, a bright young man who hasn't the patience for the normal way of advancement finds that people rarely question you if your papers are in order. He becomes a marine, a monk, a surgeon onboard a Canadian Warship, and a prison warden. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
Taglines:
The True Life Story of the Actual Amazing Masquerader...His Romantic Escapades...His Adventures as Six Different Men!!! See more »Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
February 1961 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
El gran impostor See more »Company Credits
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Tony Curtis as Demara is shown boarding HMCS Cayuga (a Tribal Class destroyer) which was the actual ship the real Demara sailed in. See more »Goofs
Curtis is assigned to HMCS Cayuga on 16 June 1951. However, in the Captain's cabin, the picture on the wall is of Queen Elizabeth II, who ascended the throne on 6 February 1952 on the death of her father, King George VI. Also the portrait appears to be the 1956 Annigoni painting of the queen. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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A precursor to the Movie Catch Me If You Can in 2002. Ferdinand Waldo Demara Jr. took all the short cuts and most certainly did not play by anyone's rules. From being a poor boy in Massachusetts to a Naval Surgeon in Her Majesty's Royal Canadian Navy. This movie is quite a ride for the adventurous soul hidden in all of us. From the army Prisoner to becoming a prison warden's right hand man, Mr. Demara is an employer's dream doing everything asked of him and more. Tony Curtis exploits his charm and personality in all those demanding and responsible occupations and somehow pulling off the near impossible with spectacular results.As we follow Waldo throughout his life's journey we just happen to notice Television personalities burst on the scenes. Doodles Weaver, Larry Gates, Gary Merrill, Edmund O'Brien,Jerry Paris and David White as we see a Bewitched TV show connection here. Raymond Massey portrays an Abbott. Arthur O'Connell plays a Prison Warden to name a few. Doodles Weaver shows up as an inebriated truck driver. Dick Sargent and David White both play Doctors. Frank Gorshin and Mike Kellin show their talents as disgruntled convicts.Always 10 steps behind is Karl Malden (Fr. Devlin), who is the Demara's family Priest as he tries to follow our mountebank along his dissent from one job to another always Ten steps ahead. Fun for all to watch and just when the authorities step in to catch our star in the act you'll be surprised who is hired to solve this dilemma. Great vehicle for Tony Curtis!