VHS : Sally of the Sawdust
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Editorial Review:
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
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - score by Donald Sosin !!
This Kino edition comes with a score by Donald Sosin ! That's reason enough to pre-order, even if you've seen the film, or even if you own it -- even if you think the film itself is a bit incoherent. It's got some good Fields moments in it, and Dempster in a dream of a gown, and some very melodramatic Griffith titles.
The scoring by Sosin alone makes this a must-have.
Rating: - Enjoyable light comedy
I thought it would be a bit hard to really get into this film, since I'm not too familiar with the silent work of W.C. Fields. Since he really didn't come into his own until the sound era, it's hard to see him deprived of that essential element in his comedy, his voice. However, this film does seem to be regarded as one of his better silents, and he still manages to be quite entertaining and funny even without being able to use his voice or rely upon other noises. It's also an interesting change ... Read More
Rating: - Thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable
Next to "Battle of the Sexes" this charming silent film surely rates as a superb example of legendary director D.W. Griffith's versatility and skill. While probably best remembered for his serious historic and moral epics of earlier years, Griffith kept up with the times and directed a variety of other films in the mid to late 1920s, of which "Sally of the Sawdust" stands out as one of the best. With outstanding stars such as W.C. Fields perfectly cast in the colourful character of Professor McGargle, ... Read More
Rating:  - Poppy is a must see!
The 1936 version, entitled 'Poppy', as was the original play, is a must see, hilarious film! Got to agree with the other reviewer, it contains some classic Fields scenes... how about the croquet game, or the get-away on the mayor's horse... or the scene where Poppy announces that she is indeed the heiress... to which Fields replies, "Well my dear, I'm glad to see you've finally come around"!.. or the toothless guy who spends the entire movies chasing the $5 Fields has bilked him out of in the first 5 ... Read More
Rating: - sally of sawdust
to bad for wc field fans .somebody has rated the remake of this movie named poppy is rated done badly.who ever did this must have no sense of humer.to name a few memerable scenes;the hot dog stand,the shower scene with queeny,the ping pong game.any ?call cjrebels99@aol.com
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