By One can safely presume that there’s a little movie and television buff in all of us. After all, movies allow us to explore different worlds and experiences and find solace in the imaginary world of film. And nothing compares to the momentary thrill of personally and intimately connecting with a character, plot or scene, when something familiar to us appears on-screen.
For those in the print industry, that moment is the feeling of awe when they saw the image of a printing press captured forever on a screen. It’s a rush and a reminder of the legacy that printing machines carry forward.
You’ll probably admit that, when possible, you back up the action to take a second or even third look at the press (it’s okay, so do we).
One such film where the presence of a printing press is both memorable and pivotal is Catch Me If You Can. Although Spielberg’s classic “Catch Me If You Can” is now over 20 years old, it still brings a wave of nostalgia, especially when recalling the scene where Carl Hanratty, played by Tom Hanks, goes to catch Frank Abagnale in a printing factory.
Based on true incidents, “Catch Me If You Can” is a delightful romp through the world of deception, featuring a young Frank Abagnale Jr. (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) who manages to impersonate various professionals, including a pilot and a doctor, all before his 19th birthday. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film not only captivates with its thrilling cat-and-mouse chase between Frank and the determined FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) but also offers some amusing nods to the printing industry.
When Carl went to France to arrest Frank printing fake cheques in print shop there.
In one memorable moment at the lag end of move, we see a Heidelberg windmill in action, churning out counterfeit bills. The rhythmic clatter of the press, paired with the sight of those little bills flying out, adds a layer of authenticity and charm to the scene. However, some just call it stretching cinematic license to the limit as they claim, there’s no way bills would have flown out if it like they did. But then, that’s what cinema is – blending history with a touch of artistic flair to leave a lasting “impression”.
In one scene, Heidelberg can be seen tucked away in the corner of print shop. The scene in question opens with Tom Hanks’ character, Carl Hanratty, doing some of his own detective work with a few printers while trying to locate where the crafty con-man, Frank William Abignale, might be next.
FBI agents went to a print shop seeking the help of printing experts.
Remember the iconic scene where FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) seeks the help of printing experts? “It’s a perfect one-sixteenth all the way around. Color separation is flawless – there’s no bleeding,” one of the printer characters said in the film. “Where was it printed?” asked the FBI agent played by actor Tom Hanks. “It was printed on a monster – a Heidelberg…four color,” answered one of the printers. “You can smell the weight – two tons without the ink.”
Just remember — this Heidelberg windmill was forced to do these illegal deeds.
But that’s not all; offset presses have been featured in an array of different Hollywood movies, including The Goonies, The Odessa File, and Seven Pounds, with Paddington 2 being the latest addition to the list.
We can expect to see printing presses in certain movies, like those involving newspapers and counterfeiters. However, surprise “guest appearances” of printing presses in major motion pictures can be the most memorable.
Media mogel’s newspaper plant in the Tomorrow Never Dies.
Like for example, Presses can also help develop the plot, like in the action-packed chase through a media mogel’s newspaper plant in the James Bond flick, “Tomorrow Never Dies.”
Though obviously there’s a healthy dose of Karma in this tale – the cheques used to maintain Abagnale’s lifestyle in the film are also the evidence that leads to his capture.
F.B.I agent Carl finally tracks Frank down to a printing factory in France. After a series of clever maneuvers and close calls, Frank is arrested by French authorities. In a moment filled with irony, Carl assures Frank that he will be extradited back to the U.S., where he will face justice for his crimes.
The film cleverly intertwines humor with the serious business of forgery. While Frank is busy printing checks that will lead him into trouble, he’s also surrounded by machinery capable of producing anything from newspapers to currency.
Now, one might think that a story centered around printing presses would be, well, pressed for excitement. But “Catch Me If You Can” prints a different picture. It’s a tale that captures the essence of an era when the printed word reigned supreme, and a good story was worth its weight in paper.
The film doesn’t just tell us about the protagonist getting his hands dirty, crafting his narrative one counterfeit note at a time but also appreciate the press as a backdrop to a story. And while we’re at it, let’s give a nod to the real press – the ones that bring us stories, both real and fabricated, day in and day out. They may not be as glamorous as the movies, but they’re the real deal, pressing on in the background, making sure stories, much like the ink, never fade.
