No renewal found Free in the US since 1 January 1965, on the registry's reading: registration LP6707 of 1936 by Republic Pictures Corp was not renewed in the volumes searched. Record.
A ventriloquist and his dummy help define the Three Mesquiteers, while a renewed novel complicates the surviving film’s rights history.
The third member of this Western partnership brings along a fourth: a ventriloquist’s dummy named Elmer. Ghost-Town Gold introduced Max Terhune as “Lullaby” Joslin in the Three Mesquiteers series. 4 Elmer appeared with him. 3 Terhune joins Robert Livingston and Ray Corrigan in the cast. 2 His contribution gives the partnership a comic identity. A dummy is a peculiar companion for a cowboy. For a ventriloquist, it makes conversation into an act, with one person supplying both the provocation and the reply. The trio’s name promises comradeship. Terhune’s contribution suggests that comradeship need not be solemn.
This was only the second entry in what became a series of 51 films. 1 The partnership was still taking shape rather than merely repeating an established arrangement. Terhune would continue as Lullaby in many subsequent instalments. 4 A casting decision here became part of the series’ continuing identity. Its place near the beginning lets us consider the ensemble as something being assembled, rather than as a formula complete from the outset. There was room for a comic performer beside the two other leads. Elmer makes that process unusually visible: the three-man partnership can accommodate a fourth presence without adding another actor.
Joseph Kane directed the film. 1 Its source was William Colt MacDonald’s novel of the same name, published in New York in 1935. 2 One catalogued release date for the adaptation is 26 October 1936. 2 On that chronology, the film followed close to its literary source, not at the end of a long process of rediscovery. The title itself joins two familiar Western promises: an abandoned place and something valuable still concealed within it. For the film’s later rights history, however, the important detail is the source credit. It identifies an adaptation of a separately authored work. That distinction would outlast the film’s initial release.
A notice in The Film Daily called it a 55-minute Republic Western keyed by “rapid-fire action.” 7 That phrase supplies a useful account of what was being sold: pace, rather than the leisurely occupation of a landscape. It is a reviewer’s shorthand, not a substitute for looking closely at how a film moves. The catalogued running time is given as 55 or 57 minutes. 2 The uncertainty lies within that entry; its 55-minute figure agrees with the notice. The alternative figure alone cannot establish that footage was removed. Nor does a promise of speed tell us how Kane balanced action against the comic possibilities of Lullaby and Elmer.
The film’s later documentary life contains a more consequential distinction. No copyright renewal for Ghost-Town Gold is recorded in a filmography of the Republic library. 8 The copyright on MacDonald’s novel, however, was renewed by Allan William Colt MacDonald on 3 December 1962. 9 These are records for different works, not two incompatible answers to the same question. The novel’s renewal leaves the scope of any underlying rights unclear. It does not, by itself, establish the precise reach of those rights into the adaptation. The source credit identifies a relationship between the works without settling its later legal consequences.
The record: Registration LP6707 by Republic Pictures Corp is dated 5 November 1936. The registry found no renewal in the renewal volumes for 1963 to 1965, nor in the Copyright Office's records from 1978 on; on that reading the term ended on 31 December 1964 and the film has been free in the US since 1 January 1965. The separate Republic library filmography also records no renewal for the film. 8 The record does not settle the scope of any underlying rights arising from the renewed copyright in MacDonald’s novel. 9
Written 6 September 2026 by gpt-6-astra from the registry record, the atlas's own evidence and the sources below, gathered by Qwen/Qwen3.8-Max with web search and questioned by deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-V4-Pro. Numbered notes are the sources; a claim marked unverified has no source yet; times open the atlas at that second. How these are made and checked.
500 shots over 53:03 · 275 beats in 186 sequences · 479 transcript lines · JSON
500 shots over 53:03, read from the Internet Archive copy three_mesquiteers (three_mesquiteers.mp4, 640×480, 29.97 fps). Shot boundaries by PySceneDetect's adaptive detector; each frame links to the Archive's player at that second. Registry dossier: Ghost-Town Gold No renewal found. JSON
Measurements: black-and-white film on its keyframes (0 of 500 shots judged colour), average shot 6.4s long, a frontal face detected in 23% of keyframes. Shots are detected automatically and each is represented by its midpoint frame.
Released 1936 (Internet Archive).
275 beats in sequences, cut automatically at shot boundaries scored on picture change, pauses in speech, topic shifts, on-screen text and cutting rhythm (each beat says why it starts where it does). Each is annotated by a vision-language model from four sampled frames and the transcript lines in it, as observations with evidence; anything the frames and lines do not support is left null. Machine annotation (Qwen/Qwen3-VL-235B-A22B-Instruct), checked automatically: quotes must be verbatim, names must be spoken, "visible" events are sampled to a second model.
Passages cut at shot boundaries and annotated by a machine from four sampled frames and the transcript lines in them. Each beat says why it starts where it does and what was checked; sequences are visual groups, not scenes.
0:04Model synopsis: The opening shot displays the title 'THE THREE MESQUITEERS' over a scene of three figures on horseback in a wooded area. No people are clearly visible, and no dialogue or on-screen text beyond the title is present.
0:17Model synopsis: A man in a cowboy hat stands beside a horse with a decorated bridle; on-screen text identifies him as Ray Corrigan playing Tucson Smith. The film's title card 'The Three Mesquiteers' is visible above.
Named: Ray Corrigan (frame:1). 2 people observed.
0:45Model synopsis: The beat shows a static credit title card listing production roles and names. No people, actions, or settings are depicted beyond the text and a faint background image.
Model synopsis: Two men in cowboy hats stand at a counter while a third man sits; a check from The Bank of Chicago is shown. One man thanks Mr. Brandt, and another comments on the season's work.
Named: Mr. Brandt (t:1:21). 4 people observed.
“Hey, you are boys. Thank you, Mr. Brandt.” 1:21 · “Not bad for a season's work.” 1:25
Model synopsis: Three men in cowboy attire are seen in conversation and on horseback, discussing a financial transaction involving a check and a trip to Prospect. One man is assigned to take the check to deposit it, while the others are told to return to the ranch.
Named: Tony (t:1:55), Tucson (t:1:58), Branson (t:1:30). 6 people observed.
“We'll be seeing you again next spring with another herd. That's the idea. I'm always glad to do business with three messengers. So long, …” 1:30 · “You know, it's too bad there isn't a bank in Nemesis.” 1:49
Model synopsis: Two men in cowboy attire speak on horseback in a rocky outdoor setting; one is told he has one more chance to return by nightfall or face consequences. A third man in a bowler hat appears briefly in conversation with one of the cowboys.
Named: Lullaby (t:2:16). 3 people observed.
“I'm cured.” 2:15 · “So help. Well, the father that check and be back to ranch for nightfall. We'll take one more chance on you, Lullaby. But if you're not bac…” 2:16
Model synopsis: Two men in Western attire are outdoors; one takes a deck of playing cards from the other while speaking. The dialogue suggests suspicion and a business-related trip.
2 people observed.
“Not looking for this, are you? I don't know why we let you live so long.” 2:31 · “When you get the prospect, try and stay out of trouble.” 2:36
Model synopsis: Two men in cowboy hats converse near rocks while a third rides away on horseback. One man is addressed as 'Stoney' in dialogue, indicating he is present and identifiable by name.
Named: Stoney (t:3:04). 5 people observed.
“Sure get up” 2:56 · “I'm.” 2:58
Model synopsis: Two riders on horseback are shown in a rocky outdoor setting, then riding away down a dirt road past wooden buildings. One rider speaks the line 'I'm going to go.'
2 people observed.
“I'm going to go.” 3:12
Model synopsis: Two men on horseback in a dusty town observe something off-screen; one dismounts and approaches a wooden structure. The transcript indicates they are commenting on the state of the community and noticing activity in Prospect.
2 people observed.
“Well, this is a fine, thriving community. Yeah.” 3:39 · “Hold it, Tucson. Looks like something's doing over in Prospect.” 3:43
4:04Model synopsis: A poster for a boxing match is shown on a wooden wall. The poster announces a fight between Thunderbolt O'Brien and Wild Man Joe Kamatski on June 17.
4:13Model synopsis: Two men in cowboy attire stand near a wooden post with a poster; one speaks about riding fast to save money. No named characters appear, and the setting is outdoors near a building with signage.
2 people observed.
“Suppose Lullaby knew about this? No wonder he wanted to go to Prospect.” 4:09 · “Hey, Tucson, we'll have to ride fast. Maybe we can save part of that 4300. Hey there!” 4:13
Model synopsis: Three men in cowboy attire converse in an outdoor setting with wooden buildings; one identifies himself as Jake Rollins and claims ownership of the town. No on-screen text or clear time-of-day indicators are visible.
Named: Jake Rollins (t:4:30). 3 people observed.
“Howdy, strangers. Anything special I can do for you?” 4:21 · “What are you doing in this ghost town?” 4:27
Model synopsis: Two men in cowboy hats converse near a wooden building; one warns the other to be quiet near a town council meeting. A white horse emerges from the building's doorway.
2 people observed.
“All right, Pop. Oh, I've seen your kind before.” 4:37 · “Snooping around kinda innocent like. Oh, now, Pop, you've got us all wrong. Well, rain's selling, I tell you.” 4:41
Model synopsis: Two men on horseback are shown outdoors, one tipping his hat; another man in a vest reads a poster advertising a boxing match. A voice thanks someone named Jake and says they are leaving.
Named: Jake (t:5:07). 3 people observed.
“Thanks for telling us Jake. You're welcome.” 5:07 · “I'm going to go.” 5:16
Model synopsis: Two men in suits and hats stand near a boxing poster; one speaks to the other while a crowd gathers. A third man in a vest joins them as they talk about a boxing match.
Named: Komaski (t:5:41). 5 people observed.
“Hey, what do you think of that? There ain't no picture of me on there.” 5:37 · “That's all right, Komaski.” 5:41
Model synopsis: A man claims a small venue as his headquarters for a major event, while others react to its size and a conversation about a personal encounter. The scene shifts between interior and exterior shots of a wooden building with men in period attire.
Named: O'Brien (t:6:01). 8 people observed.
“Well, this is my place, O'Brien, the official headquarters for the Battle of the Century.” 6:01 · “Yours?” 6:08
6:28Model synopsis: Two men stand outdoors near a horse; one adjusts his hat while the other looks on. The setting appears to be a town street with wooden buildings and a fence visible.
2 people observed.
Model synopsis: A man in a cowboy hat and vest walks through a crowded outdoor fair, passing a horse-drawn carriage and a bank, while another man speaks about betting and being quick. The scene is set in a dusty town with people in period Western attire.
4 people observed.
“I'm going to go.” 6:30 · “Right here, there you are, sir. Don't crowd everybody and get a chance. All right, my friend, you're just in time, step right up. I'm here …” 6:59
Model synopsis: A man in a suit demonstrates a card trick to another man in a vest at a fairground booth. The trick involves three cards, two queens and an eight, and the participant is invited to pick the eights to win a prize.
4 people observed.
“Three little cards, two queens and an eight. Now, my friends, all you have to do is pick out the eights” 7:10 · “and take home an animated doll. How about you, stranger? You want to take a chance? I'll try. All right. All you have to do is keep your ey…” 7:15
Model synopsis: Two men in Western attire interact near a table with dolls in the background; one man handles a gun while the other watches. Dialogue suggests a challenge or game involving shooting, with one man preparing to attempt it again.
3 people observed.
“Now watch it.” 7:22 · “That's one, huh?” 7:24
Model synopsis: A man in a suit and hat stands at a counter with dolls displayed behind him, interacting with another man in a vest and hat. The transcript indicates a game where winning three times in a row earns a large doll, and the man in the suit appears to win.
2 people observed.
“How you are?” 7:52 · “If you win three times in a row, why, give you that big doll there and it changed for the two small ones.” 7:57
8:24Model synopsis: Three men are in a room with shelves of dolls behind them; one man in a patterned vest speaks to another in a suit while a third looks on. The transcript includes dialogue about street-car money and a game, suggesting a casual or gambling context.
3 people observed.
“Always did like street-car money. Just a minute.” 8:20 · “You wanna try this just once more?” 8:23
Model synopsis: A clock tower is shown, followed by a street scene with a man in a cowboy hat and a woman, then a man in a bowler hat examining paper. A voice tells someone to look at their other two cars.
5 people observed.
8:47Model synopsis: A man in a vest and dark pants runs across a dusty outdoor area with wooden buildings in the background. Another figure stands to the left, partially visible, wearing light-colored clothing.
2 people observed.
Model synopsis: A person knocks on a door with a sign reading '9 AM TO 5 PM' while holding a child; inside, an older man sits behind bars at a desk. The speaker requests entry, offering money.
3 people observed.
9:02Model synopsis: A man in a cowboy hat and patterned shirt stands indoors, holding a small child. A sign on the wall indicates room number 103 and hours from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M.
2 people observed.
9:09Model synopsis: A woman stands behind bars in an office-like setting while a voice mentions a council meeting and someone named Sabina. The scene includes dialogue about getting an account straight and going home.
Named: Sabina (t:9:05), Daddy (t:9:05). 2 people observed.
“The council meeting has started, Daddy. They're waiting for you.” 9:05 · “I know, Sabina.” 9:05
9:26Model synopsis: A group of men are gathered in a room with a table, discussing the town's development and the impact of newcomers. One man speaks about the town being built slowly and proudly by pioneers, while another mentions a fight over prospecting that brings money.
Named: Mayor Thornton (t:9:17), Jack (t:9:21). 4 people observed.
“We were discussing the situation here in our town, Mayor Thornton.” 9:17 · “And Jack here was saying that I'll keep on saying it.” 9:21
Model synopsis: Two men debate a fight promoted by Barrington; one opposes it on moral grounds, the other defends it for economic benefit. The setting appears to be a formal meeting or town hall with wooden paneling and seated attendees.
Named: Carter (t:9:46). 2 people observed.
“Now, Barrington has promoted this fight.” 9:43 · “And an even worse class of people are flocking here. But Ben, they're bringing a lot of money into town. We don't want that kind of money,…” 9:46
10:12Model synopsis: Four men are gathered around a table in a dimly lit room; one sits at the head while others stand or sit nearby. No dialogue or on-screen text is present in this beat.
4 people observed.
10:15Model synopsis: A group of men are seen through a window engaging in a physical struggle outside in what appears to be a town square. The scene is viewed from an interior space, with curtains framing the view.
1 person observed.
10:19Model synopsis: A woman in a light dress with puffed sleeves and a dark sash stands in a doorway. A sign reading 'BANK PROSPE' is visible on the wall to her right.
2 people observed.
10:21Model synopsis: A dusty outdoor scene shows a man in a white shirt running across a dirt field toward a tented area with banners, while another man stands near a horse-drawn cart. A banner advertises a 'WILDMAN KAMATS' heavyweight championship event.
2 people observed.
10:22Model synopsis: A person lies on the ground in an outdoor setting. No dialogue or on-screen text is present in this beat.
1 person observed.
10:24Model synopsis: A woman in a long dress stands indoors near a doorway with a sign reading 'BAN PROSPE'. No dialogue or action is recorded in this one-second beat.
1 person observed.
10:27Model synopsis: A man in a cowboy hat on horseback speaks while another man stands behind him; the transcript indicates a division of tasks involving a child and fighters. The setting appears to be outdoors near a wooden structure.
2 people observed.
10:30Model synopsis: A person lies face down on a dirt road. Dust is visible in the air near their feet, suggesting recent movement.
1 person observed.
10:31Model synopsis: A man on horseback rides past a saloon in a Western town. A body lies on the ground near the saloon entrance.
2 people observed.
10:32Model synopsis: A person rides a horse past a building labeled 'Barrington's Saloon' and 'Fight Headquarters'. The scene is outdoors and appears to be set in a Western town.
1 person observed.
10:35Model synopsis: A man in a cowboy hat pins another man to the ground outside a building with large windows and a wagon wheel visible. No dialogue or on-screen text is present in this beat.
3 people observed.
10:40Model synopsis: A man on horseback faces a group of people outside a wooden building; a woman gestures while speaking. No names or dialogue are provided in the transcript for this beat.
4 people observed.
10:42Model synopsis: A group of men in Western attire are engaged in a physical altercation on a dusty street in front of a wooden building. One man in a white shirt and cowboy hat is mid-stride, while others are grappling or running nearby.
5 people observed.
10:45Model synopsis: A group of men in cowboy hats walks down a street past a horse; one man in a light shirt and hat leads the group. The scene is shot in black and white with no visible text or dialogue.
4 people observed.
Model synopsis: A man in a cowboy hat gestures while speaking to a group in a dusty town square; another man lies on the ground nearby. The transcript indicates an order to leave town, directed at the group and one individual in particular.
10 people observed.
“I get out of town and don't come back.” 10:51 · “That means you too.” 10:53
Model synopsis: A man named Tommy is injured in a street scene and is being attended to by others who decide to take him to a doctor. One person addresses another as Thornton, affirming loyalty.
Named: Thornton (t:11:23), Tommy (t:11:01). 7 people observed.
“All right, Tommy.” 11:01 · “Relax, buddy.” 11:05
11:36Model synopsis: Three men in Western attire are in an interior room with bookshelves; one speaks about a council meeting. No names are spoken, and no time of day or period is established.
3 people observed.
“The council met this morning and executed this order.” 11:36
Model synopsis: A man in a suit addresses three men in a room with a desk and bookshelves; one man is seated at the desk while others stand. The transcript indicates a notice to close an establishment within 48 hours is being delivered.
Named: Doc Barrington (t:11:47). 5 people observed.
“You can't stop this fight.” 11:45 · “Quite is, Doc Barrington.” 11:47
Model synopsis: A man in a suit confronts a group including a sheriff in a wood-paneled room; he holds papers and speaks about building the town with his flights while others listen or react. The transcript indicates a dispute over a business and an order backed by town citizens.
5 people observed.
“This is Summer Thorne's work.” 11:56 · “I've built up a business here and I'm going to keep it open.” 12:00
Model synopsis: Men in suits and hats gather around a table in an indoor setting; one signs documents while others speak about a fight and guarantee money. A man named Komancki is addressed directly in the dialogue.
Named: Komancki (t:12:48). 5 people observed.
“I've seen it happen before. Now wait a few days. I'll put this fight on.” 12:29 · “Nothing doing. We aren't gonna land to ourselves in no jug.” 12:34
12:54Model synopsis: A man in a checkered suit and bowler hat appears surprised or concerned. He speaks lines questioning whether a fight will occur and then urges someone to come on, followed by an exclamation.
1 person observed.
“Hey, what's this all about? Ain't there gonna be no fight?” 12:51 · “Come on.” 12:54
13:37Model synopsis: A man in a cowboy hat is seen from behind on a street; dialogue reveals a plan to rob a bank and hide the money, and a separate conversation about missing funds and searching saloons. No names are visually confirmed, and no time of day or period is established.
Named: Stubby (t:13:01), Governor (t:13:02), Buck (t:13:15), Savannah (t:13:40), Stoney (t:13:55). 6 people observed.
“You're supposed to be pretty good at opening safes, aren't you?” 13:02 · “I does it with me sensitive fingers. I does.” 13:06
14:27Model synopsis: A group of men in cowboy hats are seated around a table playing cards; one is told to lay down his hand as another claims four aces. The scene takes place indoors under studio lighting with no visible windows or clocks.
4 people observed.
“Lay him down, you mug. Lullaby's got you beat. Oh, Elmer, you're only kidding. I'll call.” 14:18 · “Allstate.” 14:26
14:38Model synopsis: A close-up shows playing cards and poker chips on a table with a hand reaching in. No people are named or audible, and no time of day or period is established.
1 person observed.
14:46Model synopsis: Three men and a woman sit around a table with cards and coins; one man speaks to another named Elmer. The scene appears to be an indoor card game with period Western attire.
Named: Elmer (t:14:44). 4 people observed.
“Well, I reckon I'd give him a check back.” 14:42 · “And a few hundred over. Eh, Elmer?” 14:44
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52:16Machine transcription of the Archive copy's audio with Whisper large-v3-turbo (temperature 0); the model heard it as en. 479 segments kept, 160 dropped as the kind of hallucination the model produces over music and silence. Each timestamp links to the Archive's player at that second. This has not been checked against the film and can be wrong.
Every free film of 1936 with a copy
By the average clip vector of the keyframes; a measurement, not a judgement
Little Lord Fauntleroy 
The Dark Hour 
Secret Agent 
The Milky Way 
Angel and the Badman 
Calendar Girl 
Affairs of Cappy Ricks 
Paradise Express 
Billy the Kid Wanted 
Gangsters of the Frontier 
Saddle Mountain Roundup