Product Description

In a fascinating departure from the austere moral drama in which he specialized, D.W. Griffith demonstrates his talent for warm-hearted comedy with "Sally of the Sawdust." Fresh from the Ziegfeld Follies, W.C. Fields made his second screen appearance as Professor Eustace McGargle in a rare silent screen role showcasing the comic juggling and dry wit that would make him a legend.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #81814 in DVD
• Released on: 1999-01-12
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Black & White, DVD, Silent, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 113 minutes

Amazon.com
Although D.W. Griffith was best known for directing serious epics with a social conscience, the master of silent cinema was no slouch when it came to heartwarming comedies. Griffith's 1925 feature Sally of the Sawdust is further distinguished by its starring role for comedian W.C. Fields, reprising a role he originated on stage in Dorothy Donnelly's play Poppy. Fields had been firmly established in vaudeville as a gifted comedian and juggler, and those skills are readily apparent in this sweet-natured story about a young circus waif named Sally (latter-day Griffith ingenue Carol Dempster). Sally's mother was rejected by her wealthy father for marrying into show business, then died during childbirth, leaving Sally to be raised by lovable circus performer and con artist J. Eustace McGargle (Fields). Destiny eventually brings Sally back to the luxurious home of her grandparents, who remain unaware that she is family. Legal hassles erupt when McGargle is accused of fraud, and matters are further complicated when a local socialite falls for Sally's considerable charms. Only the truth of Sally's lineage can save her and McGargle from jail, and Griffith milks this amusing melodrama for all it's worth. Propelled by a wonderful piano score adapted from the film's original 1925 cue sheets and performed by Philip Carli, this delightful silent has been faithfully preserved and remains highly entertaining. It's fascinating as W.C. Fields's first screen success (he later remade this film as Poppy in 1936), and the little-known Dempster proves to be a charming comedienne in her own right. The DVD transfer is remarkably pristine, retaining the tinting of the film's original release. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

A "must" for Fields fans
A sentimental comedy with an inevitable happy ending but still good fun. Carol Dempster does a convincing job as a free spirited circus girl, Sally, brought up by McGargle (Fields, of course)after the death of her parents. The silent Fields shows his physical comedy skills, which are often forgotten due the later strength of his spoken comedy. The quality of the picture is excellent - again showing for me that B & W movies gain most from DVD if the manufacturers make an effort. A good movie for anyone to watch, it is a must for the Fields fans to see the earlier stages of the character that was to become so familiar in the later films.

Original Fields at his best in the role he was born to play!
Quality of the DVD; The picture quality was great, and was taken from an obviously well restored print. Sound was excellent as well, (although this is a silent movie). I have seen very good silent movies with terrible sound tracks of ill fitting music, but with this movie they used the original sheet music that was made for it, with delightful results. This is a silent movie, but if you are a Fields fan, you will not want to miss this one. The movie captures the essence of all of Fields' future movies, utilizing the formula of where he is the down trodden father with the loving and devoted daughter and they see it through with each other's help and find the golden lining of the grey clouds. You even get a peek at some of Fields' juggling. Best viewing wishes, Dave

Introducing Professor Eustace McGargle
W.C. Fields made his first real mark on the movie world with this film. In fact, this film was also the first to present Bill Fields in his "traditional" costume: gray top hat, cutaway coat, checked pants, and spats. One longs to hear that nasal drawl spouting flowery epigrams and thinly veiled insults, but Fields does an excellent job nonetheless. His pantomime background (from his years as a silent juggling act in vaudeville) provides him with a wealth of funny bits of business."Sally" is based on "Poppy," a Broadway musical that was a hit largely because of Fields. The same is true here: Carol Dempster gets top billing, but it's Bill's show all the way. He does part of his juggling act, displays a couple of Rube Goldbergish props built for other stage shows, and presents us with the initial version of his marvelous carnival/medicine show grifter, who would resurface later under such patently phony monickers as Larson E. Whipsnade and J. Cuthbert Twillie.