Public Domain
The Bad Sister
1931 · Universal Pictures · Dir. Hobart Henley
Marianne falls in love with con man Valentine who uses their relation to get her father's endorsement on a money-raising scheme. He runs off with the money and Marianne, later dumping her. Her sister Laura loves Dr. Lindley although she knows he loves Marianne. Marianne returns and marries a wealthy young man, and Lindley turns his love toward Laura.
Confidence
95
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The Bad Sister (1931), notable for being Bette Davis's film debut and featuring Humphrey Bogart, was originally registered for copyright by Universal Pictures on March 20, 1931, under registration number LP2086. Under the Copyright Act of 1909, works registered between 1928 and 1963 required a renewal filing with the U.S. Copyright Office during the 28th year of their first term to maintain protection for a second term of 67 years.
A search of the Stanford Copyright Renewal Database and the Library of Congress Catalog of Copyright Entries (CCE) reveals no record of a renewal for this motion picture. The film should have been renewed in 1958 or 1959. Universal Pictures, which was active and diligent during this period, renewed many of its 1931 titles, but 'The Bad Sister' was let lapse. Consequently, the work entered the public domain in the United States upon the expiration of its initial 28-year term in 1959. The film is widely cited in public domain filmographies, including the 'Film Superlist' by D. Richard Baer, as having an expired copyright.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- Stanford Copyright Renewal Database (no renewal found for LP2086)
- Hurst, Richard Maurice. Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain 1894-1939
- U.S. Copyright Office Catalog of Copyright Entries (1931 and 1958-1959 volumes)
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films: The Bad Sister (1931)
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.