Sally of the Sawdust

Watch Sally of the Sawdust

"D.W. Griffith's circus comedy."
  • NR
  • 1925
  • 1 hr 55 min
  • 6.6  (579)

Sally of the Sawdust is a 1925, silent film directed by D.W. Griffith. The film features Carol Dempster as Sally, a vaudeville performer who is taken in by a group of circus performers after her estranged father, Judge Foster (played by Walter James), abandons her. Sally becomes the star of the show, much to the chagrin of a rival magician, Professor Eustace McGargle (played by W.C. Fields), who sees her as a threat to his own act.

The film is set in the early 1900s and explores themes of hardship, betrayal, love, and redemption. Sally is a sympathetic character who has faced many challenges in her young life. She is a talented performer who is loved by audiences, but she is also vulnerable and alone. The circus performers take her in and become her surrogate family, teaching her the ropes of their trade and providing her with a sense of belonging.

The film's themes are echoed in the character of Professor McGargle, who is also an outsider in the world of vaudeville. He is a hapless magician whose act often goes awry, and he relies on cheap tricks and gimmicks to entertain his audiences. McGargle sees Sally as a threat to his act and tries to sabotage her performances, but he ultimately comes to appreciate her talent and falls in love with her.

The film is also notable for its use of physical comedy, particularly in the scenes featuring McGargle. Fields, who was a prominent vaudeville performer before he began his film career, brings his trademark deadpan humor to the role and provides many of the film's funniest moments.

Despite the film's comedic elements, it also contains moments of genuine pathos. Sally's relationship with her estranged father is a recurring theme in the film, and their eventual reunion is a poignant moment. The film also explores the inner lives of several of the circus performers, showing the hardships and sacrifices that come with their profession.

The film's visual style is typical of Griffith's work, featuring extensive use of close-ups and intertitles to convey the characters' thoughts and emotions. The circus setting also provides many opportunities for Griffith to showcase his skills as a director, with scenes of acrobats performing death-defying stunts and clowns entertaining the crowds.

Sally of the Sawdust was not a commercial success upon its initial release, and it is now considered one of Griffith's lesser-known films. However, it is still worth watching for fans of silent cinema and for those interested in the early careers of Fields and Dempster. The film's themes of family, redemption, and the struggle to find one's place in the world are timeless, and its use of physical comedy and visual storytelling make it an enjoyable watch.

Sally of the Sawdust is a 1925 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.

Sally of the Sawdust
Description
Where to Watch Sally of the Sawdust
Sally of the Sawdust is available to watch free on Kanopy. It's also available to stream, download on demand at . Some platforms allow you to rent Sally of the Sawdust for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1925
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 55 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.6  (579)