The idea that it is possible for one person to impersonate another to the extent that close relatives and friends are fooled is a common one in fiction and
film. But are there any actual cases that suggest that this is plausible? (I need to know before I put my new scam into operation.)
0 Kudo
Successful impersonations
| Author | Comment | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 Jojo Lapin X |
Successful impersonations |
Lead | |
|
(07/16/08 3:38 PM) |
|
||
 Wich2 |
|||
|
(07/16/08 5:14 PM) |
Jojo, I think you're on to something - almost always, this device is movies strains credulity!
I'd be interested to hear a REAL story, too; I'd think that the only way someone could pull it off, would be after a disfiguring accident or illness, or after passage of many years. Best, -Craig W. |
||
|
catmandu7 |
|||
|
(07/16/08 5:17 PM) |
They dont have to actually impersonate you if they can get a hold of your social insurance number, and other identification the criminals can run up thousands
of dollars in debt in your name, and catching them is very difficult.
|
||
|
SteveZodiak |
|||
|
(07/16/08 5:20 PM) |
I find that premise in movies highly unbelievable. There is just too much to know to fool a wife, a mother, even close friends and co-workers, it is the stuff
of fantasy.
Today is only Yesterday's Tomorrow.
|
||
|
DonM435 |
|||
|
(07/16/08 5:24 PM) |
In the comic books (at least those I read in the 1960s) you could fool even a close relative with a rubber mask. Happened all the time in Superman.
|
||
|
SteveZodiak |
|||
|
(07/16/08 6:50 PM) |
In movies like FX, Mission Impossible, etc, we are to believe a real good latex mask can allow someone with completely different bone structure to fool close
associates. I don't think so. The opening question, has anyone ever assumed an identity and fooled freinds and family is interesting, my guess is, no.
Today is only Yesterday's Tomorrow.
|
||
|
Tumak |
|||
|
(07/16/08 7:16 PM) |
Martin Guerre did it. More recently there
was this, but I
don't think it's quite what you are talking about.
|
||
|
zogstar67 |
|||
|
(07/16/08 7:37 PM) |
If the person you want to fool is desperate to believe in your disguise, it is probably quite a bit easier.
Look no further, Jo Jo: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tichborne_Claimant
"Synthetic Flesh!"
Chris Herzog zogstar67@yahoo.com |
||
|
GhostofChaneysLiver |
|||
|
(07/16/08 8:07 PM) |
I seem to recall an episode of TVs Batman where Alfred the butler impersonated the Caped Crusader wearing the bat costume. Despite the complete difference in
body type no one in Gotham City was the wiser. Even as a kid I scratched my head on that one.
It was kind of like if Howard Stern painted himself green and ran around screaming "Hulk smash!" and the entire population believed he was the real deal. Cromwell |
||
|
DonM435 |
|||
|
(07/16/08 9:30 PM) |
In the comics, Alfred used to help out by impersonating Batman so that he could appear jointly with Bruce Wayne and help hide the secret identity. We're
told he wears a padded costume. If it were more convenient, Alfred could instead be Bruce Wayne with the aid of a one-piece rubber mask. They even had a
special suit that let Robin be as tall and wide as Batman when needed.
As I said, they did this a lot in the comics. Once when Superman needed someone he could trust, he had President Kennedy wear the Clark Kent suit and mask. No lie. Honest. 
Last Edited By: DonM435
07/16/08 9:32 PM.
Edited 1 times.
|
||
|
Monsterpal |
|||
|
(07/16/08 11:30 PM) |
That question Superman poses in the second panel is certainly poignant after all we've been through in the past 47 years, isn't it?
|
||
|
SteveZodiak |
|||
|
(07/17/08 1:37 AM) |
The main difference was that we once believed it, not neccessarily that it was true. But yes, a huge societal shift.
But even this panel shows that Superman , and thusly Clark Kent, is quite a bit larger than the President. I've never seen professional movie grade latex make up close up. Isn't it quite noticeable in person?
Today is only Yesterday's Tomorrow.
|
||
|
blackbiped |
|||
|
(07/17/08 2:25 AM) |
Andy Kaufman and Bob Zmuda fooled people for years by both playing the "Tony Clifton" character at different times. People thought it was always Andy
under that very convincing makeup.
Legend, oh legend, the third wheel legend...always in the way.
|
||
|
SteveZodiak |
|||
|
(07/17/08 11:15 AM) |
Andy Kaufman and Bob Zmuda fooled people for years by both playing the "Tony Clifton" character at different times. People thought it was always
Andy under that very convincing makeup.
But that is two people playing an imaginary person, not someone imitating a real person.
Today is only Yesterday's Tomorrow.
|
||
|
Wich2 |
|||
|
(07/17/08 11:35 AM) |
As far as Presidents, I think Steve nailed it - WE have changed, more than them...
JFK himself (who I place high on Prez lists) knocked boots with half the White House staff on our dime; was often floating on heavy painkillers; like his Pop, played footsie with the Mob a few times; routinely undermined foreign governments; and had an unofficial "let's screw 'em" enemies list mentality like Richard Nixon's. Tough gig. Best, -Craig W.
Last Edited By: Wich2
07/17/08 11:43 AM.
Edited 1 times.
|
||
|
blackbiped |
|||
|
(07/17/08 11:57 AM) |
SteveZodiak wrote: Yes, but you can also think of it as Bob Zmuda imitating Andy Kaufman playing an imaginary person.
Legend, oh legend, the third wheel legend...always in the way.
|
||
|
bipolarber |
|||
|
(07/17/08 12:26 PM) |
Agreed. Taking on a different persona is quite a bit different from trying to impersonate a specific person. There have been incidents where one twin has taken
the identity of the other, but other than that, no. Not enough to fool their closest relations and friends.
This would be a great thing for Mythbusters! However, it may be possible to switch famous people you have no direct contact with... for instance, you could replace Bush with a chimp, and I'd be willing to be it would be weeks before anyone noticed.... |
||
|
DonM435 |
|||
|
(07/17/08 5:02 PM) |
I suspect that the last President one could trust was Truman.
|
||
|
Dr Acula |
|||
|
(07/17/08 6:20 PM) |
What about the whole Anastasia impersonator Anna Anderson - I
think she fooled many people for awhile.
|
||
|
Bill Warren |
|||
|
(07/17/08 7:05 PM) |
Nabokov's novel DESPAIR features the best twist on this plot I've yet encountered. There is a movie version, but I don't see
how it could work AND be faithful to the novel.
|
||
|
Monsterpal |
|||
|
(07/17/08 9:23 PM) |
Wich2 wrote: Yes, we've all heard about that stuff, but what is that you don't find admirable?
|
||
Add Reply
- Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards
- Announcements
- Forum Guidelines
- Discuss change to Yuku here
- Getting Started
- Help a Very Special Monster Kid
- Universal Horrors
- Golden Age Horror
- Kong - 8th Wonder of the World
- Poverty Row
- The World of Sherlock Holmes
- Murder and Mystery
- Thrills and Chills
- Silent Horror
- '50s Sci-Fi and Horror
- '60s and '70s Sci-Fi and Horror
- Hammer Horror
- The Psycho Ward
- Foreign Horror
- Japanese Giants
- Horror and Sci-Fi of Recent Decades
- Current Films
- Independent Films and Documentaries
- Coming Soon
- TV Terrors
- Classic Horror on DVD
- Horror Film Books and Magazines
- Horror Comics and Art
- Monster Toys and Collectibles
- Classic Horror Movie Memorabilia
- Horror Music
- Old Time Radio and Audio Horror
- Classic Horror Online
- Horror Tech
- CHFB Member Reviews
- Our Favorite Horror Hosts
- Classic Disney Scares
- Horror Film Stars
- Men Behind the Monsters
- Monster Kid Memories
- General Horror and Sci-Fi
- Movie of the Day
- Off Topic Discussions
- Classic Horror News
- Horror Events
- Special Days
- Final Farewells
- VCR / TiVo Alert
- Classic Horror Polls
- Classic Horror Classifieds
Quick Reply
