Public Domain
The Masquerader
1914 · Keystone Studios · Dir. Charlie Chaplin
Charlie plays an actor who bungles several scenes and is kicked out. He returns convincingly dressed as a lady and charms the director, but Charlie never makes it into the film.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'The Masquerader', written and directed by Charlie Chaplin, was released in the United States on August 27, 1914, by Keystone Studios. Under current United States copyright law, all works published or registered before January 1, 1928, have entered the public domain regardless of renewal status.
Because the work was published in 1914, its maximum possible copyright term (which would have been 75 years under the 1976 Act or 95 years under subsequent extensions) has expired. The film entered the public domain no later than 1990 (75 years after 1914 + 1 year for end of calendar year rules). As a result, it is free for public use, performance, and distribution within the United States.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.