Sally of the Sawdust

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82%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 11

56%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 147
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Movie Info

Pioneering filmmaker D.W. Griffith directed W.C. Fields in his first starring role in this silent comedy. When Mary Foster runs away from home to marry her sweetheart, a circus performer, she does so against the wishes of her socially prominent parents (Erville Alderson and Effie Shannon), who make no secret of their anger and disappointment. Mary begins travelling with her husband, and she makes friends with Prof. Eustace McGargle (W.C. Fields), a crusty but good-hearted cardsharp working with the carnival. When both Mary and her husband die, their daughter Sally is left in McGargle's care. Sally grows to adulthood (now played by Carol Dempster) and becomes a dancer with the circus; while McGargle has grown quite fond of the child, he wonders if she might not be better off with her grandparents, who can better provide for her and give her a stable home, though he's kept their identity a secret from her. While performing in the town of Green Meadows, Sally catches the eye of the wealthy and charming Payton Lennox (Alfred Lunt), but Sally must overcome the prejudices of Payton's parents, who do not consider a showgirl to be fit company for their son. However, a sympathetic local woman hires Sally to dance at an upcoming society recital -- not knowing that Sally is, in fact, her granddaughter. Sally of the Sawdust was based on a play that Fields had starred in on Broadway; he also starred in a sound remake entitled Poppy.

Cast

W.C. Fields
as Professor Eustance McGargle
Carol Dempster
as Sally
Alfred Lunt
as Peyton Lennox
Effie Shannon
as Mrs. Foster
Erville Alderson
as Judge Foster
Charles Hammond
as Mr. Lennox Sr.
Roy Applegate
as Detective
Florence Fair
as Miss Vinton
Marie Shotwell
as Society Woman
Glenn Anders
as Leon
Tammany Young
as Yokel
William "Shorty" Blanche
as Stooge
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Critic Reviews for Sally of the Sawdust

All Critics (11) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (9) | Rotten (2)

  • Just about the most amusing comedy that you will recall this year.

    Aug 19, 2013 | Full Review…
    TIME Magazine
    Top Critic

  • D.W. Griffith is down to common picture making in this one.

    Mar 26, 2009 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • Its interest would be no more than historical were it not also the movie that launched WC Fields. His show-stopping performance as Eustace McGargle, conman and sideshow juggler, contains the seeds of all his later glories.

    Jun 24, 2006 | Full Review…
    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • Griffith stresses the story's melodrama, making Fields an unusually sentimental figure, though the star still manages to showcase some of his juggling routines and even kick a dog.

    Jan 10, 2004 | Full Review…

    J. R. Jones

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • Sally is minor Griffith, but it demonstrates that, whatever the ostensible genre, he remained (and, pace Steven Spielberg, remains) the master manipulator of human emotion.

    Apr 9, 2002

    J. Hoberman

    Village Voice
    Top Critic

  • Griffith again lays on the mother-sentiment too thickly in places. But, all in all, Sally of the Sawdust is good entertainment.

    May 8, 2018 | Full Review…

    Iris Barry

    The Spectator
View All Critic Reviews (11)

Audience Reviews for Sally of the Sawdust

  • Jan 28, 2012
    A fantastic, heartfelt, and funny dramatic film with a great cast and a somewhat simple, yet very exciting emotional story. I really liked it. It has that suspense of the audience knowing that this girl really belongs to a rich family but this guy is pretending to be her father to keep her in the circus business. You're not sure to have sympathy for him or not throughout, but the ending is very good. I recommend this movie.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
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