Public Domain
Seven Keys to Baldpate
1917 · Artcraft Pictures Corp. · Dir. Hugh Ford
A writer bets a publisher friend that he can write a 10,000-word novel in 24 hours. The publisher takes the bet, and gives him the "only key" to his Baldpate Inn, which has been closed for the winter, so he can write in complete seclusion. Things start heating up, though, when a succession of people who also have keys to the inn begin showing up.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'Seven Keys to Baldpate' released in 1917, starring George M. Cohan and directed by Hugh Ford, falls under the definitive public domain rule for works published before 1928. Under the U.S. Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998, all works published in the United States prior to January 1, 1928, have seen their copyright terms expire as of 2023.
While this title has been adapted for film numerous times (including versions in 1925, 1929, 1935, and 1947), the 1917 version specifically passed into the public domain 75 years after its publication under the 1976 Act, and any potential extensions offered by the 1998 Act have also elapsed. No further renewal search is required for U.S. works from this era.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.