1964
After his parents' divorce, Frank Abagnale Jr. becomes a master forger and imposter, successfully posing as a pilot, doctor, and lawyer while evading FBI agent Joe Shaye. Frank falls in love with Brenda Strong while impersonating a doctor and later works for her father as a lawyer, all while Shaye relentlessly pursues him. Despite multiple escapes, Frank is eventually captured in France, imprisoned, and extradited to the States. Joe Shaye offers Frank a deal to avoid further prison time by working for the FBI's bank fraud division, a position Frank accepts, finding redemption and a legitimate career while maintaining a complex relationship with Shaye.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Catch Me If You Can follows Frank Abagnale Jr.’s rise from suburban impersonator to globe-trotting con man, pursued relentlessly by FBI agent Joe Shaye.
Open full beat sheetFrank Abagnale Jr. is listed as Protagonist / Imposter. A brilliant young con artist and imposter who successfully impersonates a pilot, doctor, and lawyer. In the parsed data, Frank Abagnale Jr. is connected to 151 scenes, 62 dialogue lines, 63 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
151 scenes / 62 dialogue linesJoe Shaye is listed as FBI Agent. A dedicated FBI agent specializing in bank fraud who pursues Frank for years. In the parsed data, Joe Shaye is connected to 59 scenes, 43 dialogue lines, 43 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
59 scenes / 43 dialogue linesFrank Abagnale Sr. is listed as Frank's Father. A charismatic but struggling businessman who loses his store and status. In the parsed data, Frank Abagnale Sr. is connected to 18 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
18 scenes / 4 dialogue linesPaula Abagnale is listed as Frank's Mother. A French woman who married Frank Sr. during the war. In the parsed data, Paula Abagnale is connected to 11 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 103.
11 scenes / 2 dialogue linesBrenda Strong is listed as Frank's Love Interest. A young candy striper who falls in love with Frank. In the parsed data, Brenda Strong is connected to 9 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 110.
9 scenes / 2 dialogue linesRobert Strong is listed as Brenda's Father. A lawyer in New Orleans. In the parsed data, Robert Strong is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 137.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesPaul Mulligan is listed as Pan Am Security Director. Director of Airline Security for Pan Am. In the parsed data, Paul Mulligan is connected to 3 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 65.
3 scenes / 2 dialogue linesFrank Abagnale Jr. appears on the game show 'To Tell The Truth' as an imposter.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Joe Shaye arrives at the prison to extradite Frank.
Joe ShayeJoe Shaye bribes the warden to see Frank.
Joe ShayeJoe Shaye is led to Frank's cell.
Joe ShayeJoe Shaye confronts a sick Frank in his cell.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Joe ShayeFrank is removed from his cell due to his medical emergency.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Joe ShayeFrank escapes from the infirmary.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Joe ShayeFrank is caught while trying to escape.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Joe ShayeFrank Sr. is honored at the Rotary Club.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Frank Abagnale Sr., Paula AbagnaleEstablishing shot of the house.
Frank Sr. hangs his plaque while the family dances.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Frank Abagnale Sr., Paula AbagnaleFrank Sr. wakes Frank up for a special trip.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Frank Abagnale Sr.Frank Sr. cons a shop owner into lending a suit.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Frank Abagnale Sr.Frank Sr. teaches Frank to drive.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Frank Abagnale Sr.Frank drives through Manhattan.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Frank Abagnale Sr.Frank Sr. arrives at the bank.
Frank Abagnale Sr.Frank Sr. prepares to enter the bank.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Frank Abagnale Sr.Frank Sr. tries to get a loan.
Frank Abagnale Sr.Frank Sr. trades the Cadillac for an Impala.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Frank Abagnale Sr.The family moves out.
Establishing shot of the new town.
Frank Sr. gives Frank a checkbook.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Frank Abagnale Sr.Frank arrives at his new school.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Paula AbagnaleFrank navigates the halls.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank pretends to be a substitute teacher.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank's parents are called in.
Frank Abagnale Sr., Paula AbagnaleFrank observes a student faking a note.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank Sr. defends Frank.
Frank Abagnale Sr.Cheerleaders approach Frank.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank finds his mother with Jack Wright.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Paula AbagnaleA stationery store in New Rochelle.
Frank works at his father's store; Frank Sr. celebrates a legal victory against the IRS.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Frank Abagnale Sr.Frank and his father visit a bar where Frank Sr. tries to assert dominance over the regulars.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Frank Abagnale Sr.Frank attends his parents' custody hearing.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Frank Abagnale Sr., Paula AbagnaleFrank runs through town in desperation.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank buys a ticket to Grand Central.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Joe Shaye arrives to extradite Frank.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Joe ShayeFrank shaves in the bathtub while under guard.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Joe ShayeFrank and Joe Shaye wait for their flight.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Joe ShayeFrank is evicted from a hotel.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank alters his driver's license.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank tries to cash a check.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank observes a pilot.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank decides to become a pilot.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank calls Pan Am to inquire about a uniform.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank runs to the uniform supplier.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank gets fitted for a Pan Am uniform.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank walks in his new uniform.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank cashes a check.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank cashes a check at the hotel.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank sleeps in his hotel room.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Detectives question Frank Sr. about Frank.
Frank Abagnale Sr.Frank rents a typewriter.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank creates fake checks.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank uses model airplane parts to forge logos.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank cashes a forged check.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank buys model airplanes.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank mass-produces forged checks.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank asks for cash.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank walks through the airport.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank is questioned by other pilots.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank runs from the airport.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank enters the Pan Am building.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank meets the receptionist.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank meets Paul Mulligan.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Paul MulliganMulligan shows Frank the Pan Am gallery.
Frank Abagnale Jr., Paul MulliganFrank visits the Polaroid offices to obtain a genuine Pan Am ID badge by posing as an airline representative.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank uses his new ID to dead-head on an Eastern Airlines flight.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank boards the plane and meets the stewardess.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank is introduced to the flight crew and takes the jump-seat.
Frank Abagnale Jr.The plane takes off.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank experiences the intensity of the flight.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank flirts with Marci.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank and Marci are together in Miami.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank continues his travel.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank meets Lucy at a bank.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank and Lucy dance.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank learns about check routing numbers from Lucy.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank studies banking history.
Frank Abagnale Jr.Frank buys a micker encoder at an auction.
Frank Abagnale Jr.I have four letters in my hand that were sent to the defendant's apartment, each one warning him that his building was to be sprayed with insecticide, that he should cover his belongings. Your honor, ladies and gentleman of the jury, this is irrefutable evidence that the defendant is lying.
Two little mice fell in a bucket of cream. The first mouse quickly gave up and drowned, but the second mouse wouldn't quit. He struggled so hard, that he eventually churned that cream into butter -- and crawled out. Gentleman, as of this moment, I am that second mouse.
You think you're gonna get me again, don't you? You'd love for me to send twenty agents out on Christmas Eve to barge into that hotel, break down doors so you can make a fool out of me again?
You'll be working under Phillip Rigby in corporate law, handling small claims made against the state, trespass-to-try-title suits, most of it won't get past a pre-trial motion.
Half the kids his age are on dope, throwing rocks at police, and you're scaring me to death because my son is forging checks?
Lucy, my name is Frank Williams, and I'm a co-pilot for Pan Am. I'd like to cash this check and then take you to dinner.
I spent four years arranging your release. I convinced the Attorney General of the United States that you wouldn't run.
Frank, get out of the car! Put your hands on the hood! There's no place to run, so just make it easy on yourself!
SlugDB turns parsed screenplays into scene, character, dialogue, trivia, semantic search, Save the Cat, and API-ready analysis.
Use SlugDB when you need screenplay API data, movie dialogue search, character evidence, scene context, or MCP tools without building a scraper first.