Welcome to Public Domain Theater, your home for the wonderful world of films that have (in the United States, at least) fallen into the public domain, and are free for everyone to see!

This month, we’re pleased to present you with a fantastic piece of film noir: The Strange Love of Martha Ivers. Not only does it have a thrilling and psychologically deep script, and not only does it have top-notch directing, but it’s got one humdinger of a cast.

There’s screen icon Barbara Stanwyck, bringing the same sort of icy passion they brought to Double Indemnity. There’s Lizabeth Scott, beginning their career as a leading lady of film noir. And, in their very first film role ever … Kirk Douglas!

Yes, that Kirk Douglas.

(It also stars a guy named Van Heflin, which sounds like if Hugh Hefner created a Van Halen tribute band.)

But if big names aren’t your thing, no worries! We also have our opening cartoon “Sport Chumpions” – a Merrie Melodies short that not only doesn’t have big names like Daffy Duck or Porky Pig, it doesn’t have any named characters at all. Whole cartoon’s just a series of random gags based on sporting events, moving rapidly from one wacky athlete to another (and adding to the random feel, there’s no consistent art style for the character designs – I only bring it up because, once you notice it, you can’t stop noticing it).

You’ve got your choice of delights here at Public Domain Theater, so come and join us for a spell, won’t you?

Opening Cartoon:

Feature Presentation: