Public Domain Movies released in 1917

Charlie Chaplin's "The Adventurer"

Charlie Chaplin's 62nd Film Released Oct. 22 1917 The Adventurer is a short comedy film written and directed by Charlie Chaplin. It is the last out of the twelve films made while he was under contract for the Mutual Film Corportation. Chaplin plays an escaped convict on the run from prison guards. He falls into favor with a wealthy family after he saves a young lady (Edna Purviance) from drowning, but her suitor (Eric Campbell) does everything he can to have Chaplin apprehended by the officials.

THE HEART of TEXAS RYAN

Plot has Bessie Eyton returning to Texas after two years away at school to join her ranch owner father Col. Ryan (George Fawcett) who nicknames her âTexasâ Ryan. The hard-riding gal becomes the idol of the ranch hands, especially Single-Shot Jack Parker (Tom Mix). At this juncture, itâs apparent Tomâs films, be it shorts or features, included strong comedy elements as well as he-man action. Here, a drunken Tom nearly burns down the town fooling around with fireworks on the 4th of July.

"The Sultan's Wife" [1917]

This two reel comedy is not a great film but does feature a young Gloria Swanson, Teddy the Keystone Dog and historically significant "being the very last comedy produced under the Keystone banner." An IMDb reviewer, drednm, wrote... Typical no-plot comedy short from 1917 boasts the great Gloria Swanson as a teenager yachting to India with her family and beau, Bobby Vernon. While ashore they run into trouble and Gloria is kidnapped by the Rajah.

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