153 Fiction films Images: LOC's Public Domain Archive Public Domain Search

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Why Mrs. Jones got a divorce / - Public domain portrait print

"The scene opens by showing a pretty cook mixing bread in the kitchen. Jones comes in unexpectedly from a trip and carries a dress suit case. He inquires for his wife and is told by the cook that she is absent.... More

What happened in the tunnel / - movie film screenshot

"Interior of railroad coach. Pretty young lady and colored maid occupying seat. Young man in rear seat tries to attract young lady's attention. She drops her handkerchief. Young man picks it up and hands it to ... More

Caricature, Albert in Blunderland, public domain cartoon image

Albert, an auto mechanic is listening to a radio broadcast about a society based on the "coordinated cooperation of ants". He becomes excited about the idea, and becomes a little careless. The hood of the car, ... More

Fisherman's luck / motion picture

"Two German anglers are fishing, with odd results. One gets a bite, and pulls in a length of stovepipe. The other is so astonished that he falls overboard. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog. 52618 U.S. Copyright O... More

Terrible Teddy, the grizzly king /

"A burlesque on Theodore Roosevelt hunting mountain lions in Colorado and taken from the New York Journal and Advertiser. The scene opens in a very picturesque wood. Teddy with his large teeth is seen running d... More

Buster makes room for his mama at the bargain counter /

"Shows a bargain counter in a department store and a large gathering of women examining goods. It is a special sale, and a great deal of interest is shown by the ladies, who jostle and crowd each other to secur... More

The country doctor - movie film screenshot

Dr. Harcourt's daughter, Edith, falls sick. While treating her, the doctor is summoned to the sickbed of a poor neighbor's daughter who is also gravely ill. The doctor is torn between his duty, and concern for ... More

Ocean liners: European rest cure /

"On the gangplank of one of the large ocean liners leaving New York is shown an old gentleman kissing his wife and daughter good-bye before leaving on a tour abroad for a much needed rest from business cares an... More

The clockmaker's secret / - movie film screenshot

A clockmaker sells his soul to the devil, but good triumphs over evil in the end. French title from Catalogue Pathé des années 1896 à 1914, 1907 à 1909, p. 45. Original French film, Le secret de l'horloger,... More

What demoralized the barber shop /

Shows several men in a basement barbership who become excited by women walking past the window. The ankles and knees of the passersby are visible to the men below, causing pandemonium among the barbershop custo... More

The unappreciated joke / motion picture

"Scene, interior of a street-car. A stout man enters and sits down alongside of a friend and proceeds to read a comic paper. He shows a joke in the paper to his friend, and they both laugh heartily. The friend ... More

The sculptor's nightmare / motion picture

At a political club, the members debate whose bust will replace that of Theodore Roosevelt. Unable to agree, each goes to a sculptor's studio and bribes him to sculpt a bust of the individual favorite. Instead,... More

Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse at the circus /

An animated cartoon about the adventures of Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse at the circus, where they demonstrate their courage to each other by attempting to scare a woman. MP574 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: In... More

The Making of an American - movie film screenshot

Sound: This moving image content is silent, and was created without sound or a soundtrack. Summary: An Italian immigrant arrives in America unable to speak English. Following disappointments and misfortunes, he... More

Rube and Mandy at Coney Island /

"The first scene shows a country couple entering Steeplechase Park. They proceed to amuse themselves on the steeplechase, rope bridge, the "Down and Out" and riding the bulls. The scene then changes to a panora... More

[The effects of new wine] / - Art nouveau public domain image

A family travels by train to the country for a picnic; they are served new wine at a riverside café and then they wander along the banks of a river. Several members of the party become ill and have to search f... More

The golden lily / - movie film screenshot

A poor, elderly violinist takes refuge in a cathedral. When he plays his violin there, the Madonna appears before him and gives him a golden lily. He tries to sell the lily to a goldsmith, but the goldsmith and... More

Mesmerist and country couple /. 19th century, Library of Congress coll...

"Mr. and Mrs. Hayseed have heard of this wonderful Professor, and come to his office. They waken him from a trance, give him a fee and he hypnotizes them. The stunts they do while under his influence would make... More

Maude's naughty little brother /

"In a charming dining room a very attractive young lady is seen seated at the table, evidently waiting for the caller who is to share a quiet little dinner for two. A moment later a dude of the regular chappy t... More

Fun in a bakery shop / - movie film screenshot

The set is of the interior of a bakery. A man in a baker's hat and costume enters and begins kneading some dough on a table by the oven. He notices a make-believe rat crawling up the side of a nearby barrel and... More

Mary & Gretel / motion picture - movie film screenshot

"Alice in Wonderland meets the Garden of Eden in this surreal fable of a drunk rabbit, bowling dwarfs, and the two bewildered girls of the title"--Origins of American animation 1900-1921 notes. "Mary & Gretel e... More

The Astor tramp / motion picture

"A side-splitting subject, showing the mistaken tramp's arrival at the Wm. Waldorf Astor mansion and being discovered comfortably asleep in bed by the lady of the house. Length 100 feet, complete with words of ... More

The necklace - movie film screenshot

The Kendricks are a young couple, excited to have been invited to an important social event. Mrs. Kendrick buys a new gown and borrows a jeweled necklace from a friend. At the ball, the necklace it is stolen, ... More

Never again! The story of a speeder cop /

An animated cartoon about an ineffectual policeman (Officer Heeler) who quits the force after a losing battle against speeders. MP519 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: International Film Service, Inc.; 4Feb16; M... More

Buying a cow / - movie film screenshot

An urban husband and wife, walking in the countryside outside Paris, are so impressed with the delicious taste of a cow's milk that they buy the cow and try to bring it back to their Parisian apartment. After m... More

European rest cure / motion picture

Christopher Columbus / - movie film screenshot

Reenacts scenes from the life of Christopher Columbus, including the discovery of America. French title and director from BFI film & TV database, Nov. 7, 2006. Incomplete: missing part of picture at end. Digita... More

Tenderloin at night / motion picture

A man walks into a bar in the Tenderloin, where he is greeted enthusiastically by the patrons. The bartender brings a round of drinks for everyone. While one of the women distracts the newcomer, one of the men ... More

Uncle Josh in a spooky hotel /. 19th century, Library of Congress coll...

"The landlord enters with his rural guest. After examining the bed and other things in the room, Josh takes a seat beside the landlord, who tells him that there is a rumor that a ghost appears in that room ever... More

Uncle Josh at the moving picture show /

"Here we present a side-splitter. Uncle Josh occupies a box at a vaudeville theatre, and a moving picture show is going on. First there appears upon the screen a dancer. Uncle Josh jumps to the stage and endeav... More

[Buster and Tige put a balloon vendor out of business] /

"Shows an Italian balloon vender near the "Flat-iron" Building, New York City. Mrs. Brown and Buster appear on the scene. Buster begins teasing his mamma to buy him a balloon, but she refuses. Buster whistles f... More

[Buster's revenge on the tramp] /

"The opening scene shows Bridget asleep at the kitchen-table, and Buster enters on tip-toe. After tying her apron over her head and to the back of the chair, he tries to reach a jar of jam on the top shelf of t... More

The House I Live In during World War I

Summary: Frank Sinatra, apparently playing himself, takes a "smoke" break from a recording session. He sees more than 10 boys chasing a Jewish boy and intervenes, first with dialogue; then with a little speech.... More

The Hitch-Hiker motion picture - movie film screenshot

Summary: While vacationing in Mexico, two men offer a ride to a hitchhiker who, after revealing himself as a homicidal maniac, forces the men to help him elude the police. Credits: Cast: Edmond O'Brien, Frank L... More

How a French nobleman got a wife through the New York Herald personal ...

"The picture opens with a "Personal" advertisement which actually appeared in the New York Herald of August 25th, 1904: "Young French Nobleman, recently arrived, desires to meet wealthy American girl; object ma... More

European rest cure / motion picture

Love and war / motion picture. 19th century, Library of Congress colle...

"An illustrated song telling the story of a hero who leaves for the war as a private, is promoted to the rank of captain for bravery in service, meets the girl of his choice, who is a Red Cross nurse on the fie... More

The gay shoe clerk / - movie film screenshot

"Scene shows interior of shoe-store. Young lady and chaperone enter. While a fresh young clerk is trying a pair of high-heeled slippers on the young lady, the chaperone seats herself and gets interested in a pa... More

Afraid of microbes / - movie film screenshot

A man who fears the influenza microbe buys an antiseptic spray from a pharmacist. On his way home, he insists on spraying everyone he encounters, including the police. A growing group of outraged people chases ... More

The Cardinal's conspiracy - movie film screenshot

"A princess will have nothing to do with a neighboring prince her father, the king, has chosen for her. The Cardinal suggests that the prince disguise himself as a guard, and arranges for him to save the prince... More

The phable of a busted romance /

An animated cartoon about a workman who recovers and returns Miss Gotrox's lost purse containing 10,000 dollars, and receives a Canadian dime as a reward. MP507 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: International Fi... More

Rube and Mandy at Coney Island /

The clockmaker's secret / -

Seminary girls / motion picture

"A number of young ladies, in their night robes, are having a frolic, and are interrupted by a teacher. One girl makes herself very conspicuous by crawling under a bed. 50 foot strip"--Edison films catalog. 248... More

[Story of Christ] / - movie film screenshot

Story of the life of Christ. Includes, among other scenes, the Nativity; Jesus driving the money changers out of the temple; Jesus walking upon the waters; Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead; Calvary; the Cruc... More

The Gibson goddess - Public domain portrait drawing

An attractive young lady at a beach resort draws unwanted attention from a group of unruly young men, so she disguises herself with a long beach coat and plenty of padding. Not recognizing the beauty they had s... More

Krazy Kat goes a-wooing / - movie film screenshot

Krazy Kat's serenade outside the window of Ignatz Mouse meets with a barrage of bricks. MP557 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: International Film Service, Inc.; 29Feb16; MP557. Story, George Herriman. Duration:... More

The mountaineer's honor - movie film screenshot

A young mountain girl falls in love with a faithless lowlander, who loves her and leaves her. Her angry, over-protective brother follows the man to town and attempts to force him to marry the girl, but is mocke... More

[The centaurs--excerpts] / motion picture

A half human-half horse boy and girl meet and fall in love. They have a baby and go home to their parents for a happy reunion. Copyright: no reg. Additional animators, John McCay, John Fitzsimmons. Main and end... More

How a French nobleman got a wife through the New York Herald personal ...

An artist's dream / motion picture

"The scene opens in the interior of an artist's studio. Mephisto appears mysteriously and signals the pictures to come to life. They step down from the frames and walk forward, admiring their costumes. Mephisto... More

Street car chivalry / motion picture

"Scene shows interior of crowded street-car. A young lady enters and every man in the car offers her his seat. Presently an elderly stout lady with arm full of bundles enters. All male passengers immediately bu... More

Dogs used as smugglers / - movie film screenshot

With contraband strapped to the backs of their dogs, smugglers set off to cross the Spanish-French border. Having been spied upon and betrayed to customs officers, a fierce skirmish results and only the dogs an... More

The faded lilies - movie film screenshot

"Francois, a hunchback violinist, performs at a society party and is given a bouquet of lilies by a young woman in appreciation. He takes the gift a sign of love, and when he realizes his mistake, he loses his ... More

Beverly of Graustark - movie film screenshot

Beverly Calhoun is invited by her friend, Princess Yestive of Graustark, to pay her a visit. On her journey, she is waylaid by bandits, and becomes entangled in the political problems of a neighboring country, ... More

Policy and pie / motion picture

The Captain gets a life insurance policy and gives it to his wife. In gratitude she makes him a pie. The Katzenjammer Kids play a trick on the Captain and sneak toads into his pie so that he would think his wif... More

AWOL, all wrong old Laddiebuck /

From J. McIntire, Silent animated films at the Library of Congress: Concerns American soldiers in Europe after the armstice [sic]. One goes AWOL with "Joy" (Miss AWOL) and after a series of mishaps with her, he... More

What's your hurry? - movie film screenshot

At a birthday party, the father of the house is given a double-barrel shotgun, over which he is most enthusiastic. Meanwhile, his daughter recieves a letter saying that her boyfriend will be home from college e... More

Iola's promise - movie film screenshot

Iola, an Indian girl, is held captive by a gang of cutthroats. She is rescued by Jack Harper, a prospector. In gratitude, she promises to help him to find gold, and, when his fiancee is about to be burned at th... More

Won by a fish - movie film screenshot

Harry teases his girl's father about his bad luck with fishing and is consequently forbidden to see his girl. The next day, Dad goes fishing again. After he leaves, the young couple goes for a walk. They pass a... More

Bobby Bumps starts a lodge / - movie film screenshot

Bobby Bumps plays a trick on his friend who wants to be initiated into his lodge. When his friend outsmarts him and saves his life, they both agree to be initiated into the lodge together. MP723 U.S. Copyright ... More

Mr. Nobody Holme--he buys a jitney /

An animated cartoon about Mr. Nobody Holme, who warms up his sluggish automobile with the assistance of a stick of dynamite. MP517 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: International Film Service, Inc.; 1Feb16; MP51... More

Dud leaves home / motion picture

Dud wants to buy his girlfriend Maime an ice cream cone so he breaks open his mother's bank, and splits their last dime in half in the process. His mother punishes him so he runs away. Dud is scared by imaginar... More

The first circus / motion picture

During the stone-age the Stonehenge Circus entertained cavemen and women. The circus had a dinosaur that doubled as a trampoline and tightrope for the acrobats. Copyright: no reg. Main and end titles lacking. D... More

On a good old 5 cent trolley ride

Amusing characters board an unsteady trolley at each stop, and then abandon the streetcar in order to chase a man who brought on board a basket full of snakes that got loose. A goose gets involved in the chase,... More

The golden lily / - movie film screenshot

Why Jones discharged his clerks /

"Great hit. Two delinquent clerks are seated in a broker's office engaged in a game of cards. The boss suddenly appears walking through the corridor. The cards are thrown down in great haste and when the employ... More

The messenger boy's mistake / - movie film screenshot

"'Cholly' wishes to call on his best girl and send her a large bouquet. To find out if the girl really loves him, he sends a note with the messenger boy requesting her to "wear this" if she does. The boy delive... More

All on account of the milk - movie film screenshot

Hiram, a young contractor, goes to a house near his worksite to get a glass of milk. He is mistaken by the heroine, Sophia, for a laborer, while he thinks she is the maid, although she is the daughter of the ma... More

Keeping up with the Joneses. [Men's styles] /

A domestic comedy about the McGinis family--husband Aloysius, wife Clarice, daughter Julie, and housemaid Belladonna. The simple story lines often parody society's concern with material goods as an indicator of... More

The phable of the phat woman / - movie film screenshot

An animated cartoon about a fat lady who attempts unsuccessfully to lose weight. MP506 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: International Film Service, Inc.; 18Jan16; MP506. Story, Tom E. Powers. Duration: 2:08 at ... More

The lost battalion - Public domain photogrpaph

Based on the experiences of soldiers in the American 77th Infantry Division, about 550 of whom were isolated and surrounded by the Germans during the Battle of the Argonne in World War I. The men suffered from ... More

[Gertie on tour--excerpts] / - Drawing. Public domain image.

Gertie is a dinosaur who lives in present times. She encounters a train and dreams of being the life of the party in her time. Copyright: no reg. Additional animators, John McCay, John Fitzsimmons. Main and end... More

Christopher Columbus / - movie film screenshot

Glenroy Bros. motion picture - Drawing. Public domain image.

From Raff & Gammon price list: Farcical pugilists in costume. 15.00. Copyright: no reg. Performers: Glenroy Brothers. Camera, William Heise. Duration: 0:18 at 30 fps. MAVIS 180327. Filmed October 6, 1894, in Ed... More

Pillow fight / motion picture. 19th century, Library of Congress colle...

"A comic subject, clear, bright and characteristic. Shows four girls in their night dresses, engaged in an animated pillow fight. During the action the pillows become torn, and the feathers fly over their heads... More

La vie et la passion de Jésus-Christ /

Public domain image of Biblical scene, free to use, no copyright restrictions photo - Picryl description The Flight into Egypt is a biblical event in which Mary and Joseph, with the infant Jesus, fled to Egypt... More

Hooligan assists the magician /

From Edison films catalog: This is a new adventure in which our friend, Mr. Hooligan, appears in an entirely new capacity. On a stage a professor of magic is performing some wonderful experiments, and when he r... More

The life of Buffalo Bill. Parts I-III

Several events from Buffalo Bill Cody's life are reenacted in the form of dreamed flashbacks. Many scenes are from the Wild West show scenarios, including Buffalo Bill taking the scalp of Yellow Hand, an Indian... More

The Italian motion picture - movie film screenshot

Beppo, an Italian gondolier, is in love with Annette, who has another suitor, wealthy but much older. Her father gives Beppo a year to prove himself, so he emigrates to New York City, opens a shoeshine stand, a... More

The dinosaur and the missing link, a prehistoric tragedy /

Uses clay animation to tell a story of prehistoric times. Three suitors, named the Duke, Stonejaw Steve, and Theophilus Ivoryhead, compete for the hand of Miss Araminta Rockface. Ivoryhead, an unassuming weakli... More

[The effects of new wine] / - Art nouveau public domain image

Christopher Columbus / - movie film screenshot

The old maid having her picture taken /

"Scene opens in a photographer's studio. A typical old maid, impersonated by Mr. Gilbert Saroni [sic], enters to have her picture made. While the photographer is making his camera ready the old maid walks about... More

Over the hills to the poor house

The widowed elderly mother of three adult children, two sons and a daughter, wishing to relieve herself of the burden of care of her property, decides to divide it up among her children. To her son Charles, a w... More

Ghosts - melodrama movie film screenshot

A tragedy in which the sins of a father are visited upon his children as revealed in the story of a young man who unknowingly falls in love with his half-sister. When the family doctor, who knows of the father'... More

European rest cure / motion picture

The clown and the alchemist /. 19th century, Library of Congress colle...

"Although we are led to believe that the ancient alchemists were all powerful, this picture somewhat reverses the order of things. The clown plays some wonderful pranks on the old professor. He appears and disa... More

Aunt Sallie's wonderful bustle /

"A sudden gust of wind sweeps Auntie's bonnet from her head, and she, in attempting to regain it, becomes overbalanced and falls over the stone-wall, landing on her bustle. Upon striking she immediately rebound... More

Judith of Bethulia - A woman standing in front of a door listening

"The Judean fortress of Bethulia is attacked by the powerful army of Nebuchadnezzar, led by Holofernes. The walls withstand the assault, but many people are killed and Holofernes lays the fortress under siege. ... More

The bargain during World War I - movie film screenshot

Outlaw Jim Stokes robs a stagecoach using stuffed dummies as "accomplices". Pursued and wounded, he collapses by a water hole. He is found by a kindly miner and nursed back to health by the miner's daughter, Ne... More

A ballroom tragedy motion picture

Opens on a set of a sitting room, apparently off a ballroom where dancers occasionally can be glimpsed through a curtained entrance stage right. Near the entrance, a young couple in formal attire talk--perhaps ... More

The peachbasket hat - movie film screenshot

Mr. Jones and Mrs. Jones are reading the morning paper. He reads an article about a kidnapping by gypsies. She spots an ad for hats. Upon leaving the house, Mr. Jones sees a family of gypsies reading the neighb... More

Buster's joke on Papa - movie film screenshot

A vendor comes into the kitchen and sells crabs to the cook.The next scene is in a bedroom where Papa can be seen sitting in a rocker, reading a newspaper. He leaves the room to prepare for bed and Buster is se... More

The lonely villa - movie film screenshot

Mr. and Mrs. Cullison and their three daughters live in a beautiful, large home out in the country. When Mr. Cullison is called away, leaving his wife and daughters alone in the house, a gang of thieves break i... More

Fate's turning - movie film screenshot

John Lawson, Jr. has taken over the family business due to the illness of his father, and he has suffered a nervous breakdown. His father,regaining health, suggests the son take a rest at a summer hotel. John b... More

Mabel and Fatty's wash day - movie film screenshot

It's wash day. Mabel works hard while her husband sleeps in. Next door, Fatty also works hard, while his wife bosses him about as she dresses to go out. Finishing the washing in their adjacent yards, Fatty offe... More

2 A. M. in the subway - movie film screenshot

Opens on a set of a subway platform, with two tracks on either side and stairs leading up to the exit. A policeman stretches wearily and sits on a box, as a uniformed conductor awaits a train. A subway car arri... More

His duty - movie film screenshot

It's Bob Allen's twenty-first birthday. His mother and his brother Jack, a policeman present him with a cap, personalized with his initals in the lining. Jack then goes to work and Bob goes out also. Later in t... More

Ambrose's little hatchet - movie film screenshot

"The shadows caused by dressmaker Ambrose while disassembling a female dummy are mistaken for a brutal murder by onlookers"--Mack Sennett's fun factory. LP4746 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright: The Keystone Film... More

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