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In order to verify the other two names I had to read more about it. Very interesting because like Malone I’d never heard of the book or film.

Yes, teenieleek, it was all very interesting stuff!

MM, if you're really, really stuck and feel you're getting nowhere, you could Google the crossword title and the forename you're likely to have at 6 D.

Thank you Malone, yes, I had a brainstorm and realised I knew what the 'con' was, however, couldn't remember the name of the operation and did google it but that hasn't helped with the two final names tho' I do see the neatness in the second of the two words to be written below the grid!

The two 'names' aren't necessarily people...

Glad you got there - well, almost there!

Sorry everyone - this is going to be a bit old hat for many of you but I started this puzzle late, having been away for a few days. Finished the grid and found the two symmetrically-placed names (not people - thanks malone!) after researching the story - most enjoyable!
I have the 4 additional words removed from clues before solving but don't see the connection with the theme (not that I suppose it matters), and I wouldn't have twigged the connection between the 3 words removed from the answers and the 2nd word of the theme had I not found the deception first.
All in all, a nice puzzle...

Aren’t the words just synonyms for man. So the man who never was?

Yes, dja, that's what I thought - and tried to allude to earlier (though I was probably too vague in my attempt not to give too much away too soon!).

Thanks dja and malone. So 3 of my 4 additional words must be wrong lol! I'll have another look when I have time...

Gazzar, I think I got only three - and two of them were unknown (in that sense) before.