Bureau of Missing Persons

Bureau of Missing Persons

Year: 1933

Runtime: 73 mins

Language: English

Director: Roy Del Ruth

ComedyCrimeDrama

SHAME is behind the nationwide “amnesia” plague that has engulfed America. Brutal veteran officer Butch Saunders is reassigned to the Bureau of Missing Persons, a unit that handles disappearances, after his excessive tactics prove too harsh for standard police work.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Bureau of Missing Persons (1933)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Bureau of Missing Persons (1933). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1920s

The movie is set in the 1920s, a decade marked by jazz music, flapper culture, and Prohibition. This period was characterized by social change, organized crime, and advances in technology, all of which influence the film's atmosphere and storyline. The era's style and societal norms underpin the characters' actions and the overall mood of the narrative.

Location

Chicago, Bureau of Missing Persons

The film takes place primarily in Chicago, a bustling urban center known for its vibrant culture and complex urban life. The Bureau of Missing Persons functions as a hub for police investigations focused on disappearances, highlighting the city's active law enforcement environment. The setting reflects a mix of city streets, police stations, and apartments, emphasizing the urban atmosphere.

🌆 City 🕵️‍♂️ Police 🗃️ Office

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:50

Main Characters – Bureau of Missing Persons (1933)

Meet the key characters of Bureau of Missing Persons (1933), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Norma Roberts / Norma Williams

Norma is a sophisticated and secretive woman caught in a web of lies. She is resourceful and determined, willing to go to great lengths to cover her tracks and protect her secrets. Her actions reveal her complex morality and her desire for freedom from her past.

🕵️‍♀️ Mysterious 💄 Sophisticated 🧳 Deceptive

Butch Saunders (Pat O'Brien)

Butch is a brash and determined detective who experiences a career and personal transformation. His initial demotion fuels his drive to prove himself, and his growing admiration for Norma complicates his sense of duty and morality. He is persistent, street-smart, and ultimately seeks justice and love.

🔍 Determined 🚓 Loyal 💔 Conflicted

Captain Webb (Lewis Stone)

Captain Webb is a cautious and authoritative police chief who doubts Butch's suitability for the bureau. He symbolizes the established order within law enforcement, and his decisions influence the direction of the investigation and Butch's career.

👮‍♂️ Authoritative 🗣️ Skeptical 🏢 Leadership

Hank Slade

Hank is a relentless detective working tirelessly on the case of the missing wife. His dogged persistence highlights themes of dedication and obsession with justice, even as he remains unaware of Norma's true identity and involvement.

🕵️‍♂️ Persistent 🔎 Investigator 💡 Observant

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:50

Major Themes – Bureau of Missing Persons (1933)

Explore the central themes of Bureau of Missing Persons (1933), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🟥 Deception

Deception is central to the film as characters hide truths, impersonate others, and manipulate situations. Norma Roberts fakes her death and assumes different identities to escape her past, illustrating the destructive power of lies. The theme explores how deception can lead to danger and moral ambiguity.

🤝 Trust and Loyalty

Trust and loyalty are tested throughout the story, especially between Butch and Norma. Despite their mutual attraction, both characters struggle with honesty, which complicates their relationship. The film examines how trust can be fragile, especially when intertwined with deception and personal motives.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:50

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Explore Movie Threads

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Investigative Dramas with Romance like Bureau of Missing Persons

A tense investigation is complicated by a growing, forbidden attraction.If you enjoyed the blend of crime-solving and romantic tension in Bureau of Missing Persons, you'll find more movies like it here. These similar films weave a steady-paced investigation with a compelling character-driven romance, creating a satisfying mix of suspense and emotional payoff.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a protagonist deeply involved in a professional investigation, where their focus is challenged by a personal connection to a witness, suspect, or colleague. The plot unfolds by balancing reveals in the case with developments in the relationship, often culminating in a resolution for both the mystery and the romance.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a specific tonal mix: the tension and intellectual engagement of a mystery combined with the emotional investment of a character-driven romance. The pacing is steady, driven by both plot and relationship progression.

Mysteries about Hidden Identities like Bureau of Missing Persons

Uncovering the lies people tell to hide who they really are.Fans of Bureau of Missing Persons who loved the twists of false identities and marital deception will enjoy these movies. Discover similar stories of characters living double lives, where the investigation focuses on uncovering the truth behind a carefully constructed facade.

deceptivemysteriousinvestigativesuspensefultwistyunraveling

Narrative Summary

The plot often begins with a seemingly straightforward situation that grows increasingly complex as clues point to a character not being who they claim. The journey involves detective work, interviews, and uncovered evidence that systematically dismantles a false identity, leading to a climactic revelation about the person's true motives or history.

Why These Movies?

This thread connects movies based on a shared plot mechanism: the mystery of a hidden identity. They create a specific kind of suspense rooted in character deception rather than just physical danger, engaging the audience in a cerebral puzzle.

Unlock the Full Story of Bureau of Missing Persons

Don't stop at just watching — explore Bureau of Missing Persons in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Bureau of Missing Persons is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Bureau of Missing Persons Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Bureau of Missing Persons, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Bureau of Missing Persons Summary

Bureau of Missing Persons Timeline

Track the full timeline of Bureau of Missing Persons with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Bureau of Missing Persons Timeline

Bureau of Missing Persons Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Bureau of Missing Persons that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Bureau of Missing Persons Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Bureau of Missing Persons

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Bureau of Missing Persons: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Bureau of Missing Persons

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