Public Domain
Out West
1918 · Comique Film Corporation · Dir. Roscoe Arbuckle
The story involves Arbuckle coming to the western town of Mad Dog Gulch after being thrown off a train and chased by Indians. He teams up with gambler/saloon owner Bill Bullhum, in trying to keep the evil Wild Bill Hickup away from Salvation Army girl, Salvation Sue. Fatty and Buster have a series of adventures trying to beat St. John, until they discover his one weakness: his ticklishness.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'Out West' is a two-reel silent comedy starring Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle and Buster Keaton, released on January 20, 1918.
Under current US copyright law, specifically the Copyright Term Extension Act, all works published or registered in the United States before January 1, 1928, have entered the public domain. This rule applies regardless of whether the copyright was originally registered or renewed, as the maximum possible term for works of this vintage (95 years from publication) has expired.
Because this film was released in 1918, it entered the public domain on January 1, 1994, under the laws then in effect (restored by the 1998 extension which currently protects works from 1928–1977). Its status is definitive and not subject to renewal research.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- https://www.archive.org/details/OutWest1918
- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0009468/
- Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain (Hurst/Baer)
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.