Public Domain
Hide and Seek
1913 · Solax Studios · Dir. Mack Sennett
The young granddaughter of a banker plays a game of hide-and-seek with her mother, Mabel. After Mabel walks away, the child disappears. A clerk, realizing the time, closes the vault she’d been hiding in. Mabel, unbeknownst to her child’s wandering, believes her daughter is locked in the now closed vault. Mabel frantically calls for help, resulting in a comedic rescue.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'Hide and Seek' (1913) was produced by the Solax Studios and directed by Alice Guy-Blaché. As a motion picture published before January 1, 1928, it has entered the public domain in the United States by operation of law. All works published in the U.S. prior to 1928 have had their maximum 95-year copyright term expire.
While several other films share this title (notably a 1932 cartoon and later features), this specific 1913 production is a silent short film. Under the current U.S. copyright framework, no renewal or registration search is required for this year because its protection was based on a system of two 28-year terms (totalling 56 years), which would have expired in 1969 even if properly renewed. The 1998 Copyright Term Extension Act only extended the lifespan of works still under copyright at that time, which this film was not.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- U.S. Copyright Office, Circular 15a (Duration of Copyright)
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films (referencing early silent shorts)
- Alice Guy Blaché (Solax) Filmography
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.