# Older movies

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-movies/185470>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 1, 2003, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-movies/185470 "2003-07-01T00:58:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![laundryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d78d45/32.png) [@laundryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/laundryman)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-movies/185470/1 "2003-07-01T00:58:47Z")

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I just got a copy of the movie " catch me if you can" staring leonardo dicaprio and tom hanks.

It seems to me I saw a movie maybe 20 years ago with a similar theme. In this movie, at one point the hero was a surgeon on a ship and did an operation from a book. Additionally he assumed several other characters. My problem is I can’t remember the name of the movie, or who starred.

If anyone remembers this movie I sure would appreciate it as it’s really bugging me

thanks, doug

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**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-movies/185470/2 "2003-07-01T01:03:02Z")

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“The Great Impostor” with Tony Curtis, based on a true person.

I think I’ve read since that the real Great Impostor, um, greatly embellished his exploits.

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**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-movies/185470/3 "2003-07-01T01:13:28Z")

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Welcome to the boards!

Please take the time to read the board rules and forum descriptions.

Enjoy your stay!

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**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-movies/185470/4 "2003-07-01T01:47:56Z")

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You mean it shouldn’t be in General Questions?

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**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-movies/185470/5 "2003-07-01T04:19:47Z")

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[Ferdinand Waldo Demara, Jr.](http://www.anexx.com/AnEx/greatimpostor/insidedustjacket.htm)

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**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-movies/185470/6 "2003-07-01T07:32:34Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by dantheman \*  
> \*\*You mean it shouldn’t be in General Questions? \*\*

Hahaha!