Protected
Condemned
1929 · Samuel Goldwyn Productions / United Artists · Dir. Wesley Ruggles
Suave thief Colman is sent to Devil's Island, where he becomes romantically involved with the wife of sadistic warden Digges.
Confidence
95
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'Condemned' (often marketed as 'Condemned!' or 'Condemned to Devil's Island') was released in late 1929 and registered for US copyright by Samuel Goldwyn on November 5, 1929 (Registration No. LP839). Under the Copyright Act of 1909, works from this era required a renewal in the 28th year to remain protected.
A search of the Stanford Copyright Renewal Database and the Catalog of Copyright Entries confirms that the copyright was successfully renewed on March 4, 1957, by Frances Howard Goldwyn (Renewal No. R187373). Because it was a valid 1929 registration with a timely renewal, the film's copyright was extended for the full 95-year term granted to pre-1978 works. The copyright is currently set to expire on January 1, 2025.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- Stanford Copyright Renewal Database (R187373)
- Catalog of Copyright Entries, Motion Pictures 1912-1939 (LP839)
- Hurst, Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain 1894-1939
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.