Cipher Bureau is a spy drama that explores the world of international espionage during the tense pre-World War II era. The story follows U.S. government cryptographers and intelligence officers as they attempt to crack foreign codes, protect state secrets, and expose enemy agents. The film combines intrigue, patriotism, and suspense while highlighting the growing importance of codebreaking in national security.
Genre: Spy drama
Director: Charles Lamont
Charles Lamont (1895–1993) was an American film director best known for his extensive work in comedy and light entertainment. Beginning his career in the silent era, he directed a wide range of films across genres but later became most recognized for his association with Abbott and Costello comedies at Universal Pictures in the 1940s. Lamont was a versatile craftsman whose career spanned over four decades, directing more than 200 films, shorts, and television episodes.
Star Cast:
- Leon Ames as Lt. Rod Blake
- Charlotte Wynters as Bobbie Reynolds
- Joan Barclay as Marie Duprez
- Don Barclay as Hank McHenry
- J. Edward Bromberg as Baron de Guernay
- H.B. Warner as Colonel Grayson
Cipher Bureau was considered a modest but timely thriller. Released as global tensions were escalating in Europe and Asia, the film resonated with audiences interested in stories of spies and secret codes. While it was not a major box-office hit, it provided an entertaining look at espionage and was noted for its patriotic tone and suspenseful narrative.
Fun Facts:
- The film was produced by Monogram Pictures, a studio known for making low-budget but popular action and crime films.
- Cipher Bureau capitalized on the public’s fascination with espionage in the late 1930s, when stories of foreign agents were beginning to dominate headlines.
- Leon Ames, who starred in the film, later gained wider fame for his roles in classic MGM productions such as Meet Me in St. Louis (1944).
- The movie is one of several espionage-themed B-movies produced in the 1930s that foreshadowed Hollywood’s heavy focus on spy thrillers during World War II.
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