Public Domain Catalog

Lost and Rare

Comedy Gems in Public Domain!

All films are available in DVD-R format and Mpeg2 digital files. Many features are available as Comedy Programs with shorts.


Sophisticated Snickers!

Angel in a Taxi (1958, Italy) 90m. Vittorio De Sica as God brings together a ballerina and an orphan boy.

As You Like It (1936) 96m. Laurence Olivier does Shakespeare.

Behave Yourself (1951) 81m. Comedy with Shelley Winters, Farley Granger and a cute dog!

Charade (1963) Color, 113m. Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn. Woman pursued for money her murdered husband stole.

Colonel Effingham's Raid (1945) 70m. Charles Coburn, Joan Bennett. Retired colonel campaigns to save Confederate Monument Square.

Dancing Pirate (1936) Color, 73m. Charles Collins, Frank Morgan. Boston dance teacher shanghaied by pirates.

Eternally Yours (1939) 91m. Loretta Young marries magician David Niven.

Father's Little Dividend (1941) 82m. Father Spencer Tracy sweats as daughter Elizabeth Taylor expects her first baby.

The Groom Wore Spurs (1951) 81m. Ginger Rogers, Jack Carson. Attorney is hired to keep a dumb cowboy out of trouble.

His Girl Friday (1940) 92m. Cary Grant vs. Rosalind Russell in newsroom chaos!

Inspector General Poster

Indiscreet (1931) Starring: Gloria Swanson, Ben Lyon, Arthur Lake Director: Leo McCarey B&W. 92 min.

The Inspector General(1949) Color, 92m. Danny Kaye musical comedy romp.

Judge Priest (1934) 81m. John Ford Americana with Will Rogers as small-town judge.

Life With Father (1947) Color, 118m. William Powell, Irene Dunne in celebrated Broadway hit.

Love Laughs at Andy Hardy (1946) 93m Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone. Andy goes to college after WW-II duty.

The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) 70m. Roger Corman horror spoof with the talking plant.

Love and Larceny (1959, Italy, dubbed) 92m. Vittorio Gassman plays a genial con artist.

My Dear Secretary (1948) Starring: Kirk Douglas, Laraine Day, Keenan Wynn Director: Charles Martin B&W. 95 min.

My Man Godfrey (1936) Starring: Carole Lombard, Alice Brady, Gail Patrick Director: Gregory La Cava B&W. 95 min.

Never Wave at a WAC (1953) 87m. Rosalind Russell, Paul Douglas.

Nothing Sacred (1937) Color, 77m. Carole Lombard vs. Fredric March!

The Rage of Paris (1938) 78m. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Louis Hayward battle over Danielle Darrieux.

The Smallest Show on Earth (1957, British) 80m. A young couple inherits decrepit movie theater. With Peter Sellers, Margaret Rutherford.

The Stork Club (1945) 98m. Night club singer Betty Hutton befriends Barry Fitzgerald.

That Uncertain Feeling (1941) 84m. Ernst Lubitsch romp with Merle Oberon, Melvyn Douglas and Burgess Meredith.

Topper Returns (1941) 88m Roland Young helps ghost Joan Blondell catch her murderer.


Flying Deuces Poster

Those Lovable Clowns!

Africa Screams (1949) 80m. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello on a jungle safari.

All Over Town (1937) 63m. Ole Olson & Chic Johnson. Two zanies stage show in a jinxed theater.

Affairs of Cappy Ricks(1937) 60m. Starring Walter Brennan as a sea captain.

Check and Double Check (1930) 77m. Amos 'n Andy stars Freeman F. Gosden and Charles J. Correll in their only screen comedy (in black face).

Country Gentlemen (1936) 65m. Ole Olson & Chic Johnson. Con-men sell worthless stock in small towns.

Flying Deuces (1939) 65m. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in the Foreign Legion.

The Gorilla (1939) 66m. Ritz Brothers try to solve mystery in spookky mansion and avoid killer ape.

The Great Rupert (1950) 88m. Jimmy Durante aided by George Pal animated squirrel at Christmas time. Aka. "A Christmas Wish."

Jack and the Beanstalk (1952) Color, 78m. Abbott and Costello spin on the fairy tale.

Lay That Rifle Down(1955) 71m. Judy Canova vs. con men in small town.

Lotsa Laffs Poster

Lotsa Laffs! 105m. Hilarious shorts and cartoons in one giant laff-fest for movie theaters or Internet streaming. "Our Gang Follies of 1938," W.C. Fields in "The Dentist," 3 Stooges "Disorder in the Court" and Abbott and Costello "Who's On First? -- plus cartoons "Arctic Giant" with Superman, Betty Boop in "Is My Palm Read?" and "Popeye Meets Ali Baba" and more! Check out these additional short comedy collections of Lotsa Laffs!

The Medicine Man (193) 63m. Jack Benny is medicine man carny who falls for abused frontier girl.

Misadventures of Buster Keaton (1950) 64m. Slapstick classic scenes from Buster's TV show!

My Favorite Brunette (1947) 87m. Bob Hope turns detective to save Dorothy Lamour.

Palooka (1934) 86m. Stu Irwin is comic-strip boxer Joe Palooka, managed by Jimmy Durante.

Parlor, Bedroom and Bath (1931) 75m. Buster Keaton becomes entangled in a rich man's scheme to marry off his aggressive sister-in-law.

Road to Bali (1952) Color, 90m. Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour in the South Seas.

The Sin of Harold Diddlebock (1947) 90m. Harold Lloyd cuts loose in middle age.

Speak Easily (1932) 80m. Buster Keaton, Jimmy Durante, Thelma Todd -- putting on a show.

Fit for a King Poster

Joe E. Brown in --

Earthworm Tractors (1936) 68m. Joe E. Brown is a go-getter but no-nothing salesman of tractors.

Fit for a King (1937) 73m. Joe E. Brown is a reporter who falls in love with a crown princess and exposes an assassination plot.

Riding On Air (1937) 58m. Two small-town newspaper reporters are both after a local girl and the real story about a mysterious device.

When's Your Birthday? (1937) 76m. Joe E. is a mild-mannered astrologer who becomes a prizefighter.

Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey in --

Dixiana (1930) 98m. Wheeler & Woolsey, Bebe Daniels in period comedy set during Mardi Gras, with color sequence.

Half Shot at Sunrise (1930) 78m. Wheeler and Woolsey are two soldiers AWOL in Paris.

Hook, Line and Sinker (1930) 75m. Comics Wheeler and Woolsey play fast-talking salesmen who help an innocent young hotel operator.


Romantic Screwballs!

The Admiral Was a Lady (1950) 87m. Edmond O'Brien, Wanda Hendrix. Ex-WAVE encounters four fun-loving, work-hating men, all of whom want to marry her.

The Amazing Adventure (1936, Britain) 63 min. Rich Cary Grant feigns poorness to discover life.

Beyond Tomorrow (1940) 84m. Romantic story of two lovers brought together on Christmas eve by three ghosts.

The Front Page (1931) 101m. Adolphe Menjou, Pat O'Brien in first filming of the famous stage comedy.

Her Favorite Patient (1945) 72m. Aka. "Bedside Manner." Beautiful doctor Ruth Hussey meets handsome patient John Carroll.

Hi Diddle Diddle (1943) 72m. Adolphe Menjou, Martha Scott. When the bride's mother is supposedly swindled out of her money by a spurned suitor, the groom's father orchestrates a scheme of his own to set things right.

Lost Honeymoon (1947) 71m. Franchot Tone, Ann Richards, Tom Conway. Returning GI suffers from amnesia.

People Are Funny (1946) 93m. Jack Haley, Ozzie Nelson, Rudy Vallee in film version of the Art Linkletter radio show.

Perils of Pauline, The (1947) Color, 94m. Betty Hutton in musical comedy as silent movie heroine Pearl White.

Pot O' Gold (1941) 86m. Jimmy Stewart, Paulette Goddard. Jimmy woos Paulette and her musical Irish family.

Reaching for the Moon (1931) 67m. Douglas Fairbanks woos Bebe Daniels on a cruise.

Road Show (1941) 87m. Adolphe Menjou, Carole Landis. Rich playboy Drogo Gaines is in imminent danger of marrying a gold digger, and escapes by feigning insanity.

Royal Wedding (1951) Color, 93m. Stanley Donen MGM musical with Fred Astaire, Jane Powell.

Sin Takes a Holiday (1930) 81m. Constance Bennett, Basil Rathbone. Dowdy Sylvia marries and turns into uninhibited swan.

Texas, Brooklyn and Heaven (1948) 76m. Guy Madison, Diana Lynn. A would-be playwright and a young woman escaping from a job at a gas station meet cute and fall in love.

Three Guys Named Mike (1951) 90m. Jane Wyman dates 3 men named Mike. With Van Johnson, Howard Keel.


Color Comedies - "Not Registered"

These films made since 1964 are in the public domain because they were never registered with the Library of Congress. Read more about Not Registered titles.

Congratulations, It's a Boy! (1971) Color, 79m. TV movie starring Bill Bixby, Diane Baker, Jack Albertson. A bachelor's life is interrupted by the appearance of a teenager who claims to be his son.

Fat Spy, The (1966) Color, 75m. Jack E. Leonard as twins with Jayne Mansfield, Phyllis Diller on an island.

Hard Knox (1984) Color, 93m. Robert Conrad. A retired fighter pilot becomes head of his alma mater military school for two weeks, with hilarious consequences.

It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time (1975, Canada) Color, 106m. Anthony Newley plays a poor avant-garde artist who struggles with an ex-wife's remarriage to a building contractor.

The Nasty Rabbit (1964) Color, 88m. Arch Hall Jr. in spoof of spy films.

The Over-the-Hil Gang (1969) Color, 74m. Western spoof with Walter Brennan, Edgar Buchanan, Andy Devine, Rick Nelson.

The Over-the-Hil Gang Rides Again (1970) Color, 74m. Sequel western spoof with Walter Brennan, Edgar Buchanan, Andy Devine, Fred Astaire, Chill Wills.

Rescue from Gilligan's Island (1978) Color, 72m. Bob Denver and the gang in feature version of the TV show.

There Goes the Bride (1979, Britain) Color, 88m. Tommy Smothers, Twiggy and Jim Backus.

Wackiest Wagon Train in the West (1976) Color, 94m. Bob Denver western spoof, compiled from TV show "Dusty's Trail."

Wake Me When the War is Over (1969) Color, 75m. Pilot hidden by baroness (Eva Gabor) at tail end of WW-2. She doesn't tell him the war ends so she can keep him.


Many More B-Picture Comedies!

Big Show-Off, The (1945) 60m. Dale Evans, Arthur Lake in night club romance.

Borrowed Wives (1930) 62m. Comedy. Rex Lease, Vera Reynolds. Peter has to be married by midnight or else his inheritance goes to his uncle... Who happens to live in a "haunted house."

A Bride for Henry (1937) 58m. with Anna Neagel. Jilted bride marries lawyer instead, but he always loved her.

Broadway Limited (1941) 75m. Victor McLaglen, Marjorie Woodworth, Dennis O'Keefe. Publicity mix-ups with star and adopted/kidnapped baby.

The Crooked Circle (1932) 60m. Zasu Pitts, James Gleason. Amateur detectives expose secret hooded group.

Eegah! (1962) Color, 90m. Teenager Arch Hall Jr. finds prehistoric caveman who rampages the city.

Freckles Comes Home (1942) 59m. with Johnny Downs and Gale Storm. Freckles back from college meets gangsters and murder.

The Gang's All Here (1941) 61m. Frankie Darro, Mantan Moreland go into trucking business.

Girl O' My Dreams (1934) 64m. Mary Carlisle, Sterling Holloway in college romp.

Goodbye Love (1933) 65m. Wealthy Charlie Ruggles involved with some women with ulterior motives.

The Great Mike (1944) 72m. Stuart Erwin tries to turn a milk horse into a race horse.

Hay Foot (1942) 48m. William Tracy, Joe Sawyer in the army.

Here Comes Trouble (1948) 55m. William Tracy, Joe Sawyer are reporters involved in murder.

His Double Life (1933) 67m. Artist Roland Young changes identities when his valet dies. With Lillian Gish.

Heading for Heaven (1947) 65m. Stuart Erwin thinks he is about to die.

Hollywood and Vine (1945) 58m. Small town girl heads to Hollywood.

It's A Joke Son (1947) 63m. Kenny Delmar is Senator Claghorn.

King Kelly of the USA (1934) 66m. Guy Robertson, Edgar Kennedy in mythical kingdom.

L'il Abner (1940) 78m. The comic strip comes to life, with Buster Keaton, Edgar Kennedy.

Meet the Boyfriend (1937) 54m. Robert Paige, Carol Hughes. Pop singer Tony Paige decides to wed Swedish actress.

Meet the Mayor (1932) 63m. Frank Fay, Ruth Hall in small town mayor race.

Money Means Nothing (1934) 64m. Tire salesman Wallace Ford falls for debutante, with Edgar Kennedy.

Niagara Falls (1941) 44m. Zasu Pitts, Slim Summerville. Neighbors play cupid to young couple at Honeymoon Hotel.

The Nut Farm (1935) 67m. Actor Wallace Ford tries to get sister's money back from con men.

Private Snuffy Smith (1942) 67m. The comic strip comes to life. Snuffy Smith, moonshining hillbilly, grows tired of dodging revenue agents and enlists! With Edgar Kennedy and 3 cartoons.

Reg'lar Fellers (1941) 60m. Carl Switzer. Teenagers from newspaper comic strip have adventures.

The Royal Bed, The (1931) 73m. Lowell Sherman, Mary Astor. Troubles with the Royals in mythical kingdom.

Sitting On the Moon (1936) 54 min. Musical romance with Grace Bradley, Roger Pryor.

Skyway (1933) 69 min. Ray Walker, Kathryn Crawford. Cocky pilot takes safe job at bank to please his girl.

Slightly Married (A Strange Marriage) (1932) 68 min. Evalyn Knapp, Walter Byron. Total stranger marries a woman in court to help her out.

So's Your Aunt Emma! (1942) 61m. A dizzy old spinster (Zasu Pitts) gets involved in the boxing racket and gangland murders and is falsely accused of being notorious murderer "Ma Parker."

St. Benny the Dip (1951) 69m. Dick Haymes. 3 con men disguise as priests to escape police, then start doing good.

Strange Marriage (1932) 68m. Evalyn Knapp. Stranger saves woman from arrest in night court and marries her.

The Villain Still Pursued Her (1940) 67m. Buster Keaton, Hugh Herbert, Billy Gilbert in spoof of old-fashioned melodramas.

Too Many Women (1942) 66m. Neil Hamilton and June Lang can’t afford to get married.

The Town Went Wild (1944) 65m. Young engaged couple may have been mixed up at birth.

Uncle Joe(1941) 51m. Gale Storm visits relatives in country. With Zasu Pitts, Slim Summerville.

We're in the Legion Now (1936) 54m. Two American gangsters find themselves in the Foreign Legion and use mob skills to prevail.

Zis Boom Bah (1942) 61m. Grace Hayes, Mary Healy, Peter Lind Hayes.


The East Side Kids & Little Tough Guys

Engaging comedy adventures starring former Dead End Kids Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Bobby Jordan, Gabriel Dell, Billy Benedict and Sammy Morrison.

Bowery Blitzkrieg (1941) 62m. Muggs escapes a life of crime to become a Golden Gloves boxing champ.

Boys of the City (1940) 65m. Muggs & gang meet haunted house in the country.

East Side Kids (1940) 62m. Slum kids take on counterfeiters. First in the series, but it does NOT star Huntz Hall, Leo Gorcey and the other kids.

Flying Wild (1941) 64m. Working in aviation factory, the gang suspects a spy.

Ghosts on the Loose (1943) 65m. Kids vs. Nazi spy Bela Lugosi in spooky house. With Ava Gardner.

Junior G-Men (1940) 103m. Feature version of the 12-chapter Universal serial. The gang, led by Billy Halop, joins G-Men to fight foreign saboteurs.

Kid Dynamite (1943) 66m. Muggs and Danny battle throughout.

Let's Get Tough (1942) 62m. Kids expose ring of Japanese spies out to overthrow USA!

Little Tough Guy (1938) 86m. Not a comedy, but a serious drama about boys in trouble. This continuation of the Dead End Kids series features Billy Halop, Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell and Bernard Punsley. No Leo Gorcey!

'Neath Brooklyn Bridge (1942) 62m. Bobby Jordan framed for murder.

Pride of the Bowery (1941) 61m. Muggs goes into boxing.

Smart Alecks (1942) 60m. Kids steal baseball uniforms.

Spooks Run Wild (1941) 65m. Kids invade spooky mansion haunted by Bela Lugosi in his Dracula cape.


Dr. Christian Series

RKO’s pleasant drama-comedies star Jean Hersholt as kindly country doctor Dr. Christian, with Dorothy Lovett as his nurse.

Meet Dr. Christian (1939) 63m. Jean Hersholt stars as a small-town doctor who solves difficulties.

Courageous Dr. Christian (1940) 63m. An epidemic breaks out in Shantytown.

Dr. Christian Meets the Women (1940) 63m. Rod LaRoque plays a fake doctor with a diet scam. With Edgar Kennedy.

Remedy for Riches (1940) 68m. Scam artist tries to take the town with phony land deal.

Meoldy for Three (1941) 63m. The doctor helps a single mother with a young violin protege.

They Meet Again (1941) 63m. The doctor aids a bank teller accused of stealing.


Lum and Abner

Rural comedies centered around Lum and Abner's "Jot-Em-Down" general store in Pine Ridge, Arkansas. Based on a popular radio show of the 1940s.

Dreaming Out Loud
(1940) 81m. Chester Lauk and Norris Goff as Lum and Abner get involved in the lives of various residents of their small town.

The Bashful Bachelor
(1942) 78m. Abner trades for a race horse while Lum proposes to the wrong woman.

Two Weeks to Live
(1943) 76m. After the boys claim a railroad, Abner is wrongly given two weeks to live, so he volunteers to go to Mars in a rocket.

So This Is Washington
(1943) 64m. Boys invent synthetic rubber to help the war effort.


Edgar Kennedy

Comedy Shorts

Clark and McCullough Comedy Festival (1930's) Starring: Bobby Clark and Jimmy Finlayson: The Gay Nighties, Snug in the Jug, False Roomers and Jitters the Butler.

Three Stooges Shorts -- four shorts -- Disorder in the Court, Sing a Song of Six Pants, The Brideless , Malice in the Palace -- plus a 1949 pilot TV show and color skits. 110m.

W.C. Fields Festival -- The Great Man in "The Golf Specialist" (1930), "Fatal Glass of Beer" (1933) and "The Dentist" (1932) plus the 1931 all-star comedy "The Stolen Jools."

Leon Errol Festival Leon Errol 2-reel comedies: Twin Husbands (1946), Pretty Dolly (1942), His Pest Friend (1938), The Dummy Owner (1938), Bested by a Beard (1940), Man-I-Cured (1941)

Edgar Kennedy Shorts

Comedian Edgar Kennedy made a series of 103 shorts for RKO where he played an "Average Man." Inquire for titles.