Public Domain
Sally of the Sawdust
1925 · United Artists · Dir. D.W. Griffith
Judge Foster throws his daughter out because she married a circus man. She leaves her baby girl with Professor McGargle before she dies. Years later Sally is a dancer with whom Peyton, a son of Judge Foster's friend, falls in love. When Sally is arrested McGargle proves her real parentage.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'Sally of the Sawdust', directed by D.W. Griffith and starring W.C. Fields, was released in the United States on August 2, 1925. Under the Copyright Act of 1909 and the subsequent Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act, works published in the United States with a valid copyright notice between 1923 and 1928 were eligible for 95 years of protection, provided their registrations were renewed.
However, all works published in the United States prior to January 1, 1928, have entered the public domain regardless of their renewal status. As a 1925 production, 'Sally of the Sawdust' saw its copyright expire no later than 95 years after publication (ending December 31, 2020). Consequently, the film is now in the public domain in the United States. This is confirmed by its presence in public domain archival collections and its widespread availability via public domain distributors.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.