Fetch!
Public Domain

The Hazards of Helen

1914 · Kalem Company

Blake, fireman of a light engine, receives a message that his wife is dangerously ill. Benton, his engineer, allows Blake to catch an eastbound passenger train. A hunter shooting as the light engine is passing, wounds Benton who drops unconscious. The sportsman reports the accident. Helen, a telegrapher, receives word of the runaway train. Climbing into the cab of a locomotive in a siding, Helen jerks the throttle wide open. The engine rushes after the endangered express. Discovering his train is being pursued, the conductor of the Eastbound Express gives the signal to stop. Helen slows her engine down and tells of the danger. While the Eastbound locomotive goes to meet the runaway, Helen's engine draws the cars to safety. The runaway is halted in the nick of time. Helen's superb heroism results in her being showered with offers of marriage. But she enjoys her hazardous adventure too much to marry anyone yet. —Moving Picture World synopsis

Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —

Why this status applies

The Hazards of Helen is a famous 119-installment silent film adventure serial produced by the Kalem Company. While the user provided the year 1916 (the year Helen Gibson took over the lead role from Helen Holmes), the serial first premiered on November 7, 1914, and ran through February 1917. Under US copyright law, all works published or registered before January 1, 1928, have entered the public domain regardless of renewal status. As every episode of the original series was produced and exhibited between 1914 and 1917, the entire serial is now in the public domain. This status is confirmed by its presence in numerous public domain archives and its inclusion in the 'Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain 1894-1939'.
— Cited Sources —

Supporting facts

  • U.S. Copyright Office records (Pre-1928 Rule)
  • Hurst, Richard Maurice. Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain (1894-1939)
  • AFI Catalog of Feature Films
  • Internet Archive - The Hazards of Helen (preserved episodes)

Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.