Protected
Middle of the Night
1959 · Columbia Pictures · Dir. Delbert Mann
Jerry Kingsley is a wealthy garment manufacturer left lonely in his 50s when his wife dies. Despite the difference in their ages, he strikes up a romance with divorced 24-year-old receptionist Betty. The relationship is dismissed by his daughter, Lillian, discouraged by his sister, Evelyn, and denounced by Betty's mother. But when Jerry begins to mention marriage, even Betty is forced to confront her ambivalence.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'Middle of the Night,' directed by Delbert Mann and starring Fredric March and Kim Novak, was released in 1959. As a US work published between 1928 and 1963, its copyright status depended on a timely renewal filing during the 28th year of its initial term. According to the Stanford Copyright Renewal Database and the US Copyright Office CCE records, the copyright was successfully renewed.
The original registration was filed by Columbia Pictures Corp. on June 1, 1959, under registration number LP13970. The renewal was filed on July 10, 1987, under renewal number RE0000344319 by Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. Because the renewal was properly executed, the film's copyright was extended for a second term of 67 years, providing a total of 95 years of protection. Consequently, the film will not enter the public domain in the United States until January 1, 2055.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- Stanford Copyright Renewal Database (RE0000344319)
- US Copyright Office Catalog of Copyright Entries (LP13970)
- Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain (1950-1959 volume)
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.