''Sally of the Sawdust'' is a 1925 American silent

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending ( black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the o ...

directed by

D. W. Griffith David Wark Griffith (January 22, 1875 – July 23, 1948) was an American film director. Considered one of the most influential figures in the history of the motion picture, he pioneered many aspects of film editing and expanded the art of the n ...

and starring

W. C. Fields William Claude Dukenfield (January 29, 1880 – December 25, 1946), better known as W. C. Fields, was an American comedian, actor, juggler, and writer. Fields's comic persona was a misanthropic and hard-drinking egotist who remained a sympathet ...

. It was based on the 1923 stage musical '' Poppy''. Fields would later star in a second film version, '' Poppy'' (1936).

Plot

Because she married a circus performer, Judge Foster ( Erville Alderson) casts out his only daughter. Just before her death a few years later, she leaves her little girl Sally ( Carol Dempster) in the care of her friend McGargle (

), a good-natured crook, juggler and fakir. Sally grows up in this atmosphere and is unaware of her parentage. McGargle, realizing his responsibility to the child, gets a job with a carnival company playing at Great Meadows, where the Fosters live. A real estate boom has made them wealthy. Sally is a hit with her dancing. Peyton (

Alfred Lunt Alfred David Lunt (August 12, 1892 – August 3, 1977) was an American actor and director, best known for his long stage partnership with his wife, Lynn Fontanne, from the 1920s to 1960, co-starring in Broadway and West End productions. After th ...

), the son of Judge Foster's friend, falls in love with Sally. To save him, the Judge arranges to have McGargle and Sally arrested. McGargle escapes, but Sally is hunted down and brought back. McGargle, hearing of Sally's plight, steals a Flivver, and after many delays, reaches the courtroom and presents proof of Sally's parentage. The Judge dismisses the case and his wife takes Sally in her arms, but Peyton's claim is stronger and she agrees to become his wife. McGargle is persuaded to remain and is found an outlet for his peculiar talents in selling real estate.

Cast

Production

''Sally of the Sawdust'' was filmed at Paramount Pictures' Long Island studios.Dick, Bernard F. (2001). ''Engulfed: The Death of Paramount Pictures and the Birth of Corporate Hollywood''. p. 72. The University of Kentucky,

Lexington, Kentucky Lexington is a city in Kentucky, United States that is the county seat of Fayette County. By population, it is the second-largest city in Kentucky and 57th-largest city in the United States. By land area, it is the country's 28th-largest ...

. .

References

External links

* * * *Trailer to * 1925 films 1925 comedy films American silent feature films American black-and-white films Circus films Films directed by D. W. Griffith United Artists films Silent American comedy films Articles containing video clips 1920s American films 1920s English-language films {{1920s-silent-comedy-film-stub