Public Domain
The Star of Bethlehem
1912 · Thanhouser Company · Dir. Lawrence Marston
Following a bright wandering star, three magi from the East travel to Bethlehem of Judea to meet a very special newborn baby. Meanwhile, King Herod, driven by a hideous prophecy, orders him to be found and murdered.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The Star of Bethlehem (1912) is a silent motion picture produced by the Thanhouser Company and directed by Lawrence Marston. Under the U.S. Copyright Act, all works published or registered before January 1, 1929, have entered the public domain in the United States upon the expiration of their maximum 95-year copyright term.
Because this film was released in 1912, it has been in the public domain for several decades regardless of whether it was originally registered or renewed. It is a significant early silent film, originally released in three reels, and is currently preserved and made available by the Thanhouser Company Film Preservation Center and the Library of Congress.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- https://www.thanhouser.org/films/starbeth.htm
- https://www.loc.gov/item/95511855/
- Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain (1894-1939)
- U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. § 304
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.