Public Domain
The Toll Gate
1920 · William S. Hart Productions · Dir. Lambert Hillyer
Outlaw Black Deering leads a band of desperadoes, but decides to give up the bandit life. Agreeing to go on one last job with his gang, he is captured when his henchman Jordan betrays the gang for the reward. Deering escapes and determines to avenge himself on Jordan.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The Toll Gate is a silent Western film starring William S. Hart, released in the United States on April 25, 1920. The film was registered for copyright by William S. Hart Productions on March 18, 1920, under registration number LP14930.
Under current US copyright law, all works published or registered before January 1, 1929, have entered the public domain due to the expiration of their maximum 95-year copyright term. Because this film was released in 1920, its copyright protection expired no later than the end of 1995. Even if the copyright had been properly renewed in its 28th year (circa 1948), the extension would not prevent it from entering the public domain today.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- Library of Congress Catalog of Copyright Entries: Motion Pictures 1912-1939
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- IMDb
- Public Domain Review - Silent Films
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.