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Girl Missing (1933) Plot Summary & Timeline

Girl Missing (1933) movie poster

Girl Missing is a 1933 crime and comedy film directed by Robert Florey, running 1 hour 9 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 348 words (about 2 minutes to read) and covers 13 key events in order, 6 characters, where and when it is set and 4 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Girl Missing.

to read the plot summary
2 min
key events in the timeline
13
characters profiled
6
themes explained
4
Girl Missing (1933) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 9m
Director
Robert Florey
Genres
Crime, Comedy, Mystery
Original language
English
No spoilers

What Is Girl Missing About?

The premise of Girl Missing in 276 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In the sun-drenched glamour of Palm Beach, Kay Curtis and June Dale chase their showbiz dreams under the bright lights and salty breezes of a resort town that never quite sleeps. As showgirls navigating a world of glittering opportunities and hidden costs, they understand better than most how quickly fortune can shift—and how easily dreams can give way to desperate circumstances. When financial strain pushes them toward an old friend for help, they find themselves tangled in a situation far more complicated than they ever anticipated.

That friend is Daisy Bradford, a former showgirl who has seemingly left their shared world behind for a different kind of life. Yet Daisy’s sudden disappearance on her wedding night transforms a personal disappointment into something far more mysterious. A reward is offered for information about the missing bride, drawing Kay and June into a search that promises answers—but may also bring unforeseen dangers.

As the two women dive deeper into their pursuit, the line between ambition and peril begins to blur. What begins as a quest for financial salvation slowly reveals layers of secrets lurking beneath the resort’s polished surface. Friendships, loyalties, and hidden motives all come into question as Kay and June navigate a labyrinth of intrigue that threatens to upend everything they thought they knew about their world—and the people in it.

Set against a backdrop of vintage elegance and shadowed intentions, the story weaves together suspense, wit, and the timeless allure of a mystery waiting to be solved. The bright Florida sunshine may illuminate the hotel’s corridors, but it casts long shadows where the truth remains elusive—and where every revelation carries consequences no one saw coming.

Full plot

What Happens in Girl Missing?

The complete story of Girl Missing, from the first scene to the last, in 348 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

Kay Curtis and June Dale are two showgirls living in a Palm Beach hotel, chasing a glitzy showbiz dream under the bright lights and salty breeze of a resort town. Their carefree days take a turn when a wealthy male friend refuses to respect June’s boundaries, leaving them to shoulder their own hotel bills. Desperate for help, they turn to Daisy Bradford, a former showgirl who once shared their circle and could conceivably lend a hand.

Yet Daisy pretends not to know them, and Kay’s attempt to win some money through gambling only wipes out what little funds they still have. In the hotel’s glittering corridors they later cross paths with Daisy’s former boyfriend, Raymond Fox. He offers them money to simply walk away and leave town behind, but fate intervenes and the women end up missing the train, moments away from escape.

As time passes, Henry Gibson and Daisy marry, weaving a tenuous new chapter for everyone involved. But trouble follows quickly: Daisy disappears, and a gangster named Jim Hendricks is found dead in the hotel’s garden, casting a pall over the resort’s bright facade. A sizable reward is announced for any information about Daisy, drawing Kay and June deeper into a possibly dangerous search.

The pursuit heats up after a near-fatal car accident that Henry, Kay, and June survive. Kay even bones up on a drastic plan—wreck the car and declare Henry dead from the crash—to secure the reward and protect their futures. Daisy returns to the hotel amid Henry’s supposed death, then claims that Henry drugged and kidnapped her and killed Jim Hendricks, a shocking denial that unsettles everyone.

In a tense confrontation, Kay pulls a gun on Daisy, who finally confesses that she intended to run away with Raymond. When Jim Hendricks tried to intervene, Raymond killed him. The police close in on Raymond and Daisy, arresting them as Henry’s reward is handed over to Kay. In the end, Henry chooses to marry June, the woman he has grown to love, shaping a bittersweet close to a tangled web of ambition, deception, and romance.

Timeline

Girl Missing Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

13 key events in the order they happen, from “June's refusal triggers hotel-bill trouble” to “Henry decides to marry June”. 13 events name a place, across 6 locations.

  1. 1

    June's refusal triggers hotel-bill trouble

    June refuses a wealthy friend's sexual advances, and he lets June and Kay pay their own hotel bills. With the bills mounting, the two showgirls decide to seek help from someone who used to be in their circle. They turn to Daisy Bradford, a former showgirl now engaged to millionaire Henry Gibson, hoping she will cover the costs.

    Where:Palm Beach hotel

  2. 2

    Kay and June seek help from Daisy; she pretends not to know them

    Kay and June approach Daisy Bradford for financial help to settle their hotel bills. Daisy pretends not to recognize them and declines to offer any aid. The rejection leaves the two showgirls more desperate than before.

    Where:Palm Beach hotel

  3. 3

    Kay's gambling attempt backfires

    Kay tries to win money gambling to cover the bills, but loses all of it. The loss deepens their financial trouble and raises the stakes for what they will do next. The trio's prospects look bleaker.

    Where:Palm Beach gambling area

  4. 4

    Raymond Fox offers money to leave town; they miss the train

    Daisy's former boyfriend, Raymond Fox, offers them money to leave town and disappear. They weigh the option, but they accidentally miss the train, leaving them stranded and more exposed. The thwarted escape sets up new schemes to get ahead.

    Where:Palm Beach

  5. 5

    Henry and Daisy marry

    Henry Gibson and Daisy Bradford are married, reshaping Daisy's position in town. The newlyweds seem settled at first, but Daisy's sudden absence hints at trouble to come. The marriage matters to the subsequent chase for Daisy.

    Where:Palm Beach

  6. 6

    Daisy goes missing; Jim Hendricks dead in the hotel garden

    Daisy goes missing, triggering a large public reward offered by Henry for information. Around the same time, gangster Jim Hendricks is found dead in the hotel garden, hinting at a violent link to the missing woman. The mystery deepens as fear and suspicion spread.

    Where:Palm Beach hotel garden

  7. 7

    The reward prompts pursuit; Kay and June decide to find Daisy

    Henry announces a substantial reward for information about Daisy's whereabouts, prompting Kay and June to take matters into their own hands. They decide to search for Daisy in hopes of claiming the prize. Their pursuit pulls them deeper into the dangerous world surrounding the hotel.

    Where:Palm Beach hotel

  8. 8

    Car crash during the investigation

    During their investigation, Henry, Kay, and June survive a near-fatal car accident. The crash tests their resolve and pushes them to redouble their efforts to find Daisy. The incident raises the stakes for everyone involved.

    Where:On the road near Palm Beach

  9. 9

    Kay's plan to fake Henry's death

    Amid the danger, Kay proposes wrecking the car and declaring Henry dead to simplify the reward. The plan shows how far they are willing to go for money and truth. It marks a turning point in their approach to the case.

    Where:Palm Beach road

  10. 10

    Daisy returns; Henry's accusations

    Daisy returns to the hotel and claims that Henry drugged and kidnapped her, and that Jim Hendricks was killed by Raymond to stop the pursuit. Her tale frames Henry as a victim and widens the rift among the trio. The confrontation grows more tense as secrets emerge.

    Where:Palm Beach hotel

Show the other 3 events of Girl Missing
  1. 11

    Daisy's confession and Raymond's involvement

    Kay confronts Daisy with the truth; Daisy finally confesses that she planned to run away with Raymond and that Raymond killed Jim Hendricks to stop their pursuit. Raymond's role in the crime is revealed. The confession triggers the arrest of Daisy and Raymond.

    Where:Palm Beach hotel

  2. 12

    Arrests and reward transfer

    Raymond and Daisy are arrested by the police as the truth comes to light. Henry gives the reward to Kay, acknowledging her courage and persistence. The affair ends with accountability for the characters' actions.

    Where:Palm Beach

  3. 13

    Henry decides to marry June

    In the aftermath, Henry Gibson decides to marry June, indicating he has fallen in love with her. The film closes on a note of romantic resolution for the remaining characters. Kay and June's resilience is rewarded in the personal sphere.

    Where:Palm Beach

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Girl Missing?

6 characters, among them Kay Curtis (Glenda Farrell), June Dale (Mary Brian) and Daisy Bradford (Peggy Shannon): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • KC

    Kay Curtis (Glenda Farrell)

    Played by Glenda Farrell

    A quick-witted showgirl who teams up with June to navigate hotel glamour and danger. Resourceful and bold, she meticulously plans to secure the reward while confronting Daisy. Her pragmatism and willingness to take decisive action propel the plot forward.

    • 🎯 Target
    • 🕶️ Cool
    • 💃 Daring
  • Mary Brian as June Dale (Mary Brian) in Girl Missing

    June Dale (Mary Brian)

    Played by Mary Brian

    Kay's companion and fellow showgirl. She seeks stability and helps manage the financial pressures that come with hotel life. Her charm and resilience make her a natural ally to Kay, and she becomes a romantic focal point for Henry.

    • 👯‍♀️ Showgirl
    • 💼 Ambition
    • 💖 Affection
  • DB

    Daisy Bradford (Peggy Shannon)

    Played by Peggy Shannon

    Daisy is engaged to Henry and initially avoids helping Kay and June. She schemes with Raymond to run away, but her plan unravels as truth emerges and she is implicated in the broader criminal gambit.

    • 💄 Glamour
    • 💰 Ambition
    • 🗝️ Deception
  • HG

    Henry Gibson (Ben Lyon)

    Played by Ben Lyon

    A wealthy bachelor whose wealth funds the hotel world and rewards. He courts Daisy and later develops feelings for June, orchestrating generous rewards that influence everyone’s decisions.

    • 💎 Wealth
    • 🏦 Power
    • 💘 Romance
  • RF

    Raymond Fox (Lyle Talbot)

    Played by Lyle Talbot

    Daisy's former lover who offers money to leave town and ultimately kills Jim Hendricks in a confrontation. He is arrested along with Daisy after the truth comes out.

    • 🔪 Violence
    • 💵 Money
    • 🕊️ Justice
  • Harold Huber as Jim Hendricks (Harold Huber) in Girl Missing

    Jim Hendricks (Harold Huber)

    Played by Harold Huber

    A gangster whose murder in the hotel garden sets off the chain of events. His death triggers the large reward and the ensuing search for the missing Daisy.

    • 🗡️ Crime
    • 🕵️ Investigation
    • 🏙️ Urban
Setting

Where and When Is Girl Missing Set?

Girl Missing is set in Palm Beach hotel. Here is why the place matters to the story.

Where

Palm Beach hotel

Set largely inside a glamorous Palm Beach hotel, the story unfolds among showgirls, wealthy guests, and a web of schemes. The opulent corridors, gardens, and casino-like lounges emphasize luxury while hiding danger and shifting loyalties. The hotel serves as the pressure cooker where money, desire, and crime collide.

  • 🏨 Palm Beach hotel
  • 🎭 Showbiz scene
  • 💰 Wealth and status
Themes

What Are the Themes of Girl Missing?

4 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Deception, Friendship and Greed.

  1. 01

    Deception

    Deception drives the plot as Daisy pretends not to know Kay and June while hiding her own schemes. The characters manipulate one another to protect or seize money and rewards. The murder of Jim Hendricks and the later confessions reveal how appearances mask dangerous truths. The pursuit of truth unfolds through accusations, gunplay, and calculated moves to influence outcomes.

  2. 02

    Friendship

    Kay and June rely on each other as they maneuver through danger and poverty in the hotel world. Their partnership becomes a resourceful tool to survive and outwit rivals. They share risk, tension, and occasional humor as they chase the reward. The bond is tested by temptation, greed, and competing interests, but they stay aligned long enough to navigate the crisis.

  3. 03

    Greed

    Money dictates motives and moves, from Daisy's reluctance to accept help to Henry's lavish reward offer. The promise of wealth drives decisions, from dismissal at the front desk to reckless schemes on the road. The pursuit of cash reveals character flaws and shifts in loyalties. Ultimately, wealth becomes a tool for justice when the truth prevails.

  4. 04

    Justice

    The film builds toward a confrontation that pits criminals against the law and the vulnerable. The public reward motivates actions, but the police intervene to arrest Raymond and Daisy after the truth comes out. Kay's courage leads to the confession that restores order, while Henry's reward is used to acknowledge the protagonists' efforts. The ending resolves loyalty, love, and social ambition with a return to stability.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Girl Missing?

Light in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Light
Pacing
Fast
Story
Moderate
Intensity
Medium
Ending
Happy

A fast-paced, playful pre-code mystery comedy that feels mischievous and suspenseful, following two resourceful showgirls as they chase a reward through a chaotic plot of kidnapping and deception.

  • playful
  • mysterious
  • mischievous
  • fast-paced
  • suspenseful
  • resourceful
  • crime investigation
  • deception
  • blackmail
  • false accusation

Content notes: murder, kidnapping.

Where to watch

Where to Watch Girl Missing

. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Read next

Movies Like Girl Missing With a Plot Summary

3 films close to Girl Missing in story and themes that have a full plot summary here: The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown (1957), The Missing (2017) and Who's That Girl (1987).

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FAQ

Girl Missing Plot Questions

5 quick answers about Girl Missing, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page and the film’s credits.

What is Girl Missing about?

In the sun-drenched glamour of Palm Beach, Kay Curtis and June Dale chase their showbiz dreams under the bright lights and salty breezes of a resort town that never quite sleeps.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Girl Missing take place?

Girl Missing is set in Palm Beach hotel. Set largely inside a glamorous Palm Beach hotel, the story unfolds among showgirls, wealthy guests, and a web of schemes.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Girl Missing?

The story follows Kay Curtis (Glenda Farrell) (played by Glenda Farrell), June Dale (Mary Brian) (played by Mary Brian), Daisy Bradford (Peggy Shannon) (played by Peggy Shannon) and Henry Gibson (Ben Lyon) (played by Ben Lyon); the character guide covers 6 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Girl Missing?

The summary picks out 4 themes: Deception, Friendship, Greed and Justice.

The themes explained

Who directed Girl Missing?

Girl Missing (1933) was directed by Robert Florey and runs 1 hour 9 minutes.

Robert Florey’s films

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