Bureau of Missing Persons (1933) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

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1. 1

   Butch Saunders is demoted

   Brash detective Butch Saunders is transferred from the robbery division to the bureau of missing persons, a move that questions his place in the police department. His new boss, Captain Webb, is uncertain whether Butch will succeed or be on his way out. Joe Musik is assigned to help him acclimate to his new role.

2. 2

   Butch earns Webb’s respect

   Through his dedication to the cases handled by the bureau, Butch gradually gains the respect and trust of Captain Webb. He begins to adapt to his new role working on various missing persons cases. His determination helps establish his reputation within the bureau.

3. 3

   Handling various cases

   The bureau deals with diverse cases, including a philandering husband, a child prodigy wanting a normal life, an aging bachelor missing his housekeeper, and an old lady whose daughter has run away. These cases showcase the range of challenges faced by the bureau.

4. 4

   Hank Slade investigates the missing wife

   Hank Slade painstakingly follows leads on a case involving a missing wife. Despite his efforts, he later discovers that she has actually been working at the bureau the entire time, concealed right under his nose, revealing a hidden connection.

5. 5

   Norma Roberts seeks help for her missing husband

   Attractive Norma Roberts approaches Butch, seeking assistance in finding her missing Chicago investment banker husband, Therme Roberts. Butch is immediately attracted to her, even though both are married, which influences his initial involvement in the case.

6. 6

   Revelation about Norma’s true identity

   Captain Webb informs Butch that Norma Roberts is actually Norma Williams, and the man she claims is missing is not her husband but someone she was on trial for murdering. This shocking revelation complicates the case and Norma's motives.

7. 7

   Norma fakes her suicide and disappears

   Norma attempts to escape by faking her own drowning and disappearing. Butch stages her funeral using a borrowed corpse to lure her out of hiding. Despite this, Norma manages to evade him after their encounter at her hideout.

8. 8

   Norma’s confession about Therme Roberts

   Norma reveals that Therme Roberts, her boss, has a mentally impaired twin brother and murdered him to cover embezzlement charges. She explains that Roberts staged his disappearance, making it appear as if he had been murdered, to escape the law.

9. 9

   Chase to Roberts’ apartment

   Norma points out a suspect to Butch during their investigation. The police chase him to an apartment building while Butch instructs Norma to wait outside for her safety. When Butch returns, Norma has vanished once again.

10. 10

    Arrest and confrontation

    Butch apprehends the suspect at the police station, who denies being Therme Roberts. Meanwhile, Norma returns for help, revealing she had gone to find others before the final confrontation.

11. 11

    Discovering Roberts’ true identity

    Under Captain Webb’s manipulation, Butch admits that the captured man is Therme Roberts. This confirms Roberts' true identity and his double life, which was hidden from everyone.

12. 12

    The twist with Belle

    It is revealed that Therme Roberts' wife, Belle, never divorced her first husband. Her first husband shows up at the bureau, clarifying the complicated web of relationships, which clears the way for Butch to be with Norma.