Half-Assed Internet Research
Development; invented father-son meetings; Shea; cameo; locations; visual research
In the discussion (6)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:35Read transcript
- Lear and Yorkin reportedly acquired the rights in 1980 after seeing Frank on television; the project passed through several studios before DreamWorks and Spielberg.
- Spielberg reportedly invented the continuing father-son meetings because the real Frank never saw his father again after leaving home.
- Joseph Shea is named as the FBI agent most like Hanratty who did not want his identity used.
- Frank Abagnale reportedly cameos as the arresting French officer.
- The production reportedly used 157 locations, with California doubling for cities such as Atlanta and Miami and Ontario Airport standing in for Miami.
- Kaminski reportedly watched High School and Salesman for visual research; the attribution to the Maysles and the exact influence are discussed without independently verifying that attribution.