
Public Domain
The Sultan's Wife
1917 · Keystone Film Company / Triangle Film Corporation · Dir. Clarence G. Badger
On a sailing trip, sweethearts Bobby and Gloria arrive in a very sinister-looking India, where an evil rajah attempts to force Gloria into his harem.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'The Sultan's Wife' is a two-reel silent comedy directed by Clarence G. Badger, starring Bobby Vernon and Gloria Swanson. It was produced by the Keystone Film Company and distributed by the Triangle Film Corporation, with an original US release date of September 1, 1917.
Under current US copyright law (17 USC § 304), all works published or registered in the United States prior to January 1, 1928, have entered the public domain due to the expiration of their maximum 95-year copyright term. Because this film was published in 1917, its copyright expired no later than the end of 1992, regardless of whether a renewal was filed. Consequently, the work is now free for use by the public.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0008639/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sultan%27s_Wife
- https://archive.org/details/SultansWife1917
- Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain (1894–1939)
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.