Public Domain
His Official Appointment
1912 · Vitagraph Company of America · Dir. Charles Kent
This touching short film lasts only 10 minutes, 34 seconds, but is rather engaging. Charles Kent is an old man, who has spent all he owns on influencing a government appointment. His faithful black servant, Amber (Hal Wilson), cares for him as he waits to hear from the Capitol. No one there intends to do anything but make fun of him, even sending a false appointment, to his shame.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'His Official Appointment' was released on August 3, 1912, as a one-reel comedy produced by the Vitagraph Company of America. Under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1909 and subsequent amendments (the 1976 Act), all works published or registered for copyright in the United States prior to January 1, 1928, have expired by law and entered the public domain.
Because this film was released in 1912, its maximum possible copyright term (which would have been 75 years under then-existing extensions) expired no later than the end of 1987. It transitioned into the public domain immediately upon the expiration of its second copyright term. There are no provisions under current U.S. law for restoring copyright to domestic works of this vintage.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- Library of Congress Catalog of Copyright Entries: Motion Pictures 1894–1912
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films (1911-1920 index)
- Hurst, Richard Maurice. Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain (1894–1939)
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.