The Great Impostor (1960)

A high school dropout (Tony Curtis) joins the Army but his lack of education works against his career aim to become an officer. So he goes AWOL and under a fake identity with the right credentials, he joins the Marines. But when his ruse is discovered, he goes AWOL and fakes his death and takes on another identity ... and another and another and another! Based on the non fiction book on the exploits of Ferdinand Waldo Demara known as the Great Impostor by Robert Crichton and directed by Robert Mulligann (LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER). The film takes some of Demara's true life exploits and gussies it up as a light comedy with dramatic moments. I think we're supposed to be amused by Demara's escapades but this is a man who practiced medicine without a license, went AWOL from the military, faked his death  and much more yet the film portrays him as an impish adventurer who never intended anyone any harm and rewrites his life to make him a hero. As an actor, Tony Curtis has a great deal of charm but not enough to make me swallow this bilge. I might have bought it if the film makers took its subject more seriously (like Crichton's book) instead of turning it into fluff. The score by Henry Mancini is rather nice. With Karl Malden, Edmond O'Brien, Raymond Massey, Gary Merrill, Arthur O'Connell, Joan Blackman, Jeanette Nolan, Sue Ane Langdon, Frank Gorshin and Robert Middleton.