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Pre-WWII paranoia served with a side of accidental espionage and a femme fatale who might be playing YOU.
TMDB
53
IMDb
56

Cipher Bureau (1938)

Pulpy B-movie energyRapid-fire 30s banterCodebreakers in fedoras

Overview

Drama

The younger brother of an officer in a secret government code-breaking unit gets involved with a gang of spies and a beautiful double agent.

Flag of USUS
Content warning
spycode breaking

Standout Aspects

Production

Depression-era budget spy gear that somehow looks more convincing than modern CGI.

Acting

Gustav von Seyffertitz practically twirls an invisible mustache as villain Albert Grood.

Best for:Solo: Perfect for 64 minutes of vintage spy nonsense on a Tuesday night.·Background: Fold laundry while fedoras crack codes and everyone smokes aggressively.
Charles Lamont

Director

Charles Lamont

ReleasedOct 25, 1938
Runtime1h 4m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacefast
Intensitymedium
Tonemixed
Feellight
Grand National Pictures
Franklyn Warner Productions

Top Cast

Leon Ames

Leon Ames

Maj. Philip Waring

Charlotte Wynters

Charlotte Wynters

Helen Lane

Joan Woodbury

Joan Woodbury

Therese Brahm

Don Dillaway

Don Dillaway

Paul Waring

Gustav von Seyffertitz

Gustav von Seyffertitz

Albert Grood

Tenen Holtz

Tenen Holtz

Simon Herrick

Si Wills

Si Wills

Lt. Clarke

George Lynn

George Lynn

Lt. Tydall (as Peter Lynn)

Jason Robards Sr.

Jason Robards Sr.

Ellsworth

Sidney Miller

Sidney Miller

Jimmy

Hooper Atchley

Hooper Atchley

Cmdr. Nash

Robert Frazer

Robert Frazer

Paul's Counsel

Bobby Barber

Bobby Barber

Ask about Cipher Bureau

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Cultural

Released in 1938, this rode the wave of American anxiety about encryption technology and foreign infiltration—years before actual wartime codebreaking at Bletchley Park became public knowledge.

Trivia

Director Charles Lamont would abandon spy thrillers for Abbott and Costello comedies within two years, which explains the tonal whiplash between 'deadly serious' and 'whoops, accidental espionage.'

YouTube

Got ID? Cipher Bureau (1938)

Got ID? Cipher Bureau (1938)

Gallery

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