Public Domain
Secrets
1924 · Norma Talmadge Productions / First National Pictures · Dir. Frank Borzage
An old woman's memories are rekindled as she rereads her diary. She recalls her youth in England when she married a suitor over the objections of her parents and moved with him to the Wyoming frontier. They live a hardscrabble life there and suffered deprivation, hunger, Indian attacks, and the death of her baby. Although they eventually make a go of it, her husband becomes involved with another woman. Now that he is on his deathbed, will she forgive her husband after 40 years.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'Secrets' directed by Frank Borzage and starring Norma Talmadge is a U.S. production released in 1924. Under U.S. copyright law, all works published or registered before January 1, 1928, have entered the public domain due to the expiration of their maximum copyright term (95 years from publication).
According to the Catalog of Copyright Entries (CCE), the film was originally registered by Joseph M. Schenck on March 18, 1924 (registration LP20002). Even if the copyright had been renewed in its 28th year (which would have occurred around 1952), the 95-year protection period expired at the end of 2019. Consequently, the film became public domain in the United States on January 1, 2020.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- Library of Congress Catalog of Copyright Entries (CCE) 1924, Motion Pictures, Vol 21, Part 1.
- Stanford University Copyright Renewal Database (checked for registration LP20002).
- U.S. Copyright Office Circular 15a: Duration of Copyright.
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films: Secrets (1924).
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.