Finders Keepers

Finders Keepers

Year: 1984

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Richard Lester

Comedy

Michael O'Keefe, Beverly D'Angelo, David Wayne, and Louis Gossett Jr. embark on a coast‑to‑coast escapade. Scam artist Michael Rangeloff, fleeing police and a rival female roller‑derby crew, hijacks a coffin and hops aboard a train, posing as a soldier repatriating a fallen comrade. The journey and the mysterious coffin soon deliver far more trouble than he expected.

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Finders Keepers (1984) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Finders Keepers (1984), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In 1973, Georgiana Latimer [Pamela Stephenson] schemes with her lover, Josef Sirola [Ed Lauter], to steal five million dollars in cash from her father’s safe. Pretending to be a widow in mourning, Georgiana and Sirola stash the loot in a coffin and hatch a plan to move it by train to New York.

Across the country, Michael Rangeloff [Michael O’Keefe], who runs a women’s roller-derby team, finds himself dodging an irate squad while trying to stay one step ahead. He escapes by donning a U.S. Army uniform at the Oakland train station, where two military officials mistake him for someone escorting the coffin. Georgiana and Sirola soon spot Michael and begin to tail him, weaving a tense cat-and-mouse dynamic through the carriages.

On board, Michael forms an uneasy bond with Standish Logan [Beverly D’Angelo], a scatterbrained actress who adds a touch of chaos to the journey. It isn’t long before Michael discovers the coffin truly does contain millions, turning the trip into a high-stakes chase. During a Reno stop, Michael phones Century Milestone [Louis Gossett Jr.], a seasoned con artist who will later board the train disguised as a minister, bringing an extra layer of scheming into the mix.

A detour arrives when the conductor makes an unplanned stop in High River, Nebraska, to deliver a fallen hero to his hometown. Michael and Century step off with the coffin, accompanied by Standish, who pretends to be Biddlecoff’s widow for the ruse. After a quick funeral, they rob the grave of its treasure, unearthing the windfall in broad daylight.

Sirola, who had been forced off the train earlier, learns of the burial on television and heads to High River to retrieve the money. Georgiana also arrives, but FBI agent Ormond [Jack Riley] arrests her before she can reassert control over the situation. With the money in their hands, Michael and Century press on, only to discover that Sirola has kidnapped Standish and dragged her to an empty farmhouse.

That dwelling, however, is a prefabricated house that is slated to be moved the next day. Undeterred, Michael and Century catch up with the moving house, seize the reins from the driver, and confront Sirola. In the ensuing confrontation, Standish is rescued, and the trio—Standish, Michael, and Century—make a clean getaway with the five million dollars as Sirola is arrested and the fickle plot threads begin to untangle.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:28

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Mischievous Cross-Country Capers like in Finders Keepers

Fast-paced adventures where quirky characters chase a fortune while outsmarting rivals.If you enjoyed the fast-paced, coast-to-coast hijinks of Finders Keepers, you'll love these movies. This thread gathers comedies and adventures featuring quirky characters, high-stakes chases, and a playful race for treasure or a hidden fortune, all with a lighthearted, escapist vibe.

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The narrative pattern involves a protagonist, often a charming scam artist or an unlikely hero, who gets embroiled in a chase for a valuable object or secret. The journey is punctuated by a series of escalating deceptions, narrow escapes, and run-ins with rival groups, building to a climax where the fortune is ultimately secured through wit and luck.

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Movies are grouped here because they share a specific blend of a fast-paced, physical journey with a comedic, scam-driven plot. They create a cohesive experience defined by playful chaos, low emotional stakes, and the sheer enjoyment of watching clever characters navigate a series of ridiculous obstacles.

Lighthearted Ensemble Escapades like in Finders Keepers

Stories where a diverse group of characters gets caught up in a chaotic but fun predicament.Fans of the quirky character dynamics in Finders Keepers will enjoy these movies. This section collects films where a diverse group—con artists, soldiers, and roller-derby crews—unite for a chaotic adventure, creating a fun, fast-paced, and lighthearted comedic experience.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a group of individuals with different motives and backgrounds who become unwilling partners in a madcap adventure. The story unfolds through their banter, conflicts, and eventual teamwork as they navigate a series of comedic set pieces and deceptions, leading to a conclusion that bonds the group.

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These movies are grouped by their core reliance on a lively ensemble cast to generate humor and drive the plot. The shared vibe is one of playful chaos and camaraderie, where the collective journey of the characters is more important than any single protagonist's arc.

Unlock the Full Story of Finders Keepers

Don't stop at just watching — explore Finders Keepers 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 Finders Keepers is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Finders Keepers Timeline

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Finders Keepers Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Finders Keepers

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Finders Keepers

More About Finders Keepers

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