Protected
The Crooked Web
1955 · Clover Productions / Columbia Pictures · Dir. Nathan Juran
Following WWII, ex-G.I. Stan opened up a drive-in restaurant. His girlfriend, Joanie, is one of the car hops. They want to get married someday, but the less-than-stellar business the restaurant takes in puts a hold on that plan. One day, Joanie's ne’er-do-well brother Frank blows into town with a money-making scheme. She's against it, but Stan - an inveterate gambler - finds the promise of riches too seductive to resist…
Confidence
95
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The Crooked Web (1955), directed by Nathan Juran and produced by Sam Katzman's Clover Productions for Columbia Pictures, remains under copyright protection in the United States. Following the framework for films released between 1928 and 1963, the work required a timely renewal during its 28th year of registration to extend protection to the full 95-year term.
A search of the Stanford Copyright Renewal Database and the Library of Congress records confirms that Columbia Pictures Corporation filed a valid renewal (RE-161-098) on April 13, 1983. This renewal points back to the original registration (LP5580) filed on November 21, 1955. Because the renewal was filed efficiently within the statutory window, the copyright is secured for 95 years from the date of publication.
Under current US law, the film's copyright will not expire until January 1, 2051. The film is currently commercially available through Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (the successor to Columbia), which further confirms its status as a protected, non-orphan work.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- Stanford Copyright Renewal Database (RE-161-098)
- U.S. Copyright Office Catalog of Copyright Entries (LP5580)
- 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.