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.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Finders Keepers yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Finders Keepers (1984)

Trace every key event in Finders Keepers (1984) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Georgiana plans the heist

Georgiana Latimer teams up with her lover Josef Sirola to steal five million dollars from her father’s safe. She pretends to be a widow in mourning, keeping the plan secret as they hide the loot inside a coffin. Their scheme hinges on transporting the coffin by train to New York.

Georgiana's home
2

Michael's break from the derby chaos

Michael Rangeloff is fleeing the furious women's roller derby team he manages. He escapes by slipping into a U.S. Army uniform at the Oakland, California train station, where two military officials mistakenly assume he’s escorting the coffin. This disguise sets him on a crossing path with Georgiana and Sirola.

Oakland, California – train station
3

Georgiana and Sirola spot Michael

Georgiana Latimer and Josef Sirola spot Michael on the train route and decide to keep him in sight. They tail him as he becomes entangled with the coffin and the unfolding string of events. Their interest in the load connects them to his fate.

Rail lines toward the train
4

Standish Logan befriends Michael and learns the prize

On board the train, Michael befriends scatterbrained actress Standish Logan. He discovers that the coffin carries millions in cash, turning his plan into a mutual opportunity rather than a simple ruse. Standish's presence adds a new layer of risk to the group.

Train
5

Reno stop and Century Milestone boards

During a stop in Reno, Michael calls Century Milestone, an experienced conman. Century boards the train disguised as a minister, entering the scheme and adding a veteran thief to the mix. The con takes on a new dimension with an additional player.

Reno, Nevada
6

Unplanned stop to deliver the hero home

The conductor makes an unplanned stop in High River, Nebraska, to deliver the deceased hero to his hometown. This pause reshapes the destination and exposes the cast to new local settings and audiences. The stop creates an opportunity for the money to surface.

High River, Nebraska
7

Standish travels as widow with the coffin

Michael and Century depart the train with the coffin, accompanied by Standish Logan, who plays the role of Biddlecoff's widow. The ruse helps keep the money’s location under wraps while the trio moves through a small-town setting. Standish's performance adds tension as authorities close in.

High River
8

A quick funeral and grave unearthed

A quick funeral is held, and Michael and Century dig up the money from the grave. The burial acts as a cover to access the hidden cash, while Standish remains in the supporting role. The cash is now in their hands, ready for the getaway.

High River cemetery
9

Sirola learns of the burial and heads to High River

Sirola, who had been forced off the train earlier, sees news of the hero's burial on television and travels to High River to retrieve the money. His arrival escalates the stakes and sets up a confrontation. The search for the loot becomes a contest between him and the trio.

High River
10

Georgiana arrives in town and is arrested

Georgiana Latimer arrives in High River but is arrested by FBI agent Ormond. The authorities close in on the larger plot, threatening to derail the entire scheme. Her arrest adds political weight to the pursuit.

High River
11

Sirola kidnaps Standish and takes her to a farmhouse

Sirola kidnaps Standish and takes her to an empty prefabricated farmhouse that will be moved the next day. The kidnapping raises the personal stakes for Michael and Century as they race to secure the money and Standish. The house itself becomes a temporary trap.

Empty prefab farmhouse
12

The moving house leads to a confrontation

The prefabricated house is towed to a new location the next day, and Michael and Century locate the moving house. They take over from the driver and confront Sirola, setting up the final standoff. The chase blends mechanical logistics with a tense showdown.

On the road near High River
13

Standish rescued and the getaway

Standish is rescued, and she joins Michael and Century for a getaway with the five million dollars. The trio pushes through the remaining obstacles to escape with the prize intact. The heist reaches its climactic turning point.

High River vicinity
14

Sirola is arrested

With Standish safe and the money secured, Sirola is finally arrested. The police victory seals the fates of the conspirators, leaving Michael and Century free to cash out. The coda confirms the end of the caper.

High River

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:28

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Explore Movie Threads

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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.

fast-pacedescapistquirkymischievouslightheartedchaoticadventurouscon artist

Narrative Summary

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.

Why These Movies?

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.

ensemble castquirkylightheartedfast-pacedfarcicalcomedicchaoticmisunderstandings

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.

Why These Movies?

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 Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Finders Keepers, 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.

Finders Keepers Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Finders Keepers

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Finders Keepers. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Finders Keepers

More About Finders Keepers

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Finders Keepers: 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 Finders Keepers

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