Sally of the Sawdust
Encyclopedia
Sally of the Sawdust is an American silent comedy film, directed by D. W. Griffith
, starring W. C. Fields
, and based on the 1923 stage musical Poppy
.
) casts out his only daughter. Just before her death a few years later, she leaves her little girl Sally in the care of her friend McGargle (W.C. Fields), a good-natured crook, juggler and faker. Sally (Carol Dempster
) 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
), 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.
D. W. Griffith
David Llewelyn Wark Griffith was a premier pioneering American film director. He is best known as the director of the controversial and groundbreaking 1915 film The Birth of a Nation and the subsequent film Intolerance .Griffith's film The Birth of a Nation made pioneering use of advanced camera...
, starring W. C. Fields
W. C. Fields
William Claude Dukenfield , better known as W. C. Fields, was an American comedian, actor, juggler and writer...
, and based on the 1923 stage musical Poppy
Poppy (1923 musical)
Poppy is a musical comedy with music by Stephen Jones and Arthur Samuels, and lyrics and book by Dorothy Donnelly, with contributions also from Howard Dietz, W. C. Fields and Irving Caesar...
.
Plot
Because she married a circus performer, Judge Foster (Erville AldersonErville Alderson
Erville Alderson was an American film actor. He appeared in nearly 200 films between 1918 and 1957. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri and died in Glendale, California.-Selected filmography:*America...
) casts out his only daughter. Just before her death a few years later, she leaves her little girl Sally in the care of her friend McGargle (W.C. Fields), a good-natured crook, juggler and faker. Sally (Carol Dempster
Carol Dempster
Carol Dempster was an American film actress of the silent film era.-Biography:Born in Duluth, Minnesota, Dempster got her start in films as a protégé of legendary film director D.W. Griffith alongside other Griffith actresses of the mid-1910s Lillian and Dorothy Gish and Mae Marsh...
) 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 Lunt
Alfred Lunt was an American stage director and actor, often identified for a long-time professional partnership with his wife, actress Lynn Fontanne...
), 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
- Carol DempsterCarol DempsterCarol Dempster was an American film actress of the silent film era.-Biography:Born in Duluth, Minnesota, Dempster got her start in films as a protégé of legendary film director D.W. Griffith alongside other Griffith actresses of the mid-1910s Lillian and Dorothy Gish and Mae Marsh...
as Sally - W. C. FieldsW. C. FieldsWilliam Claude Dukenfield , better known as W. C. Fields, was an American comedian, actor, juggler and writer...
as Professor Eustace McGargle - Alfred LuntAlfred LuntAlfred Lunt was an American stage director and actor, often identified for a long-time professional partnership with his wife, actress Lynn Fontanne...
as Peyton Lennox - Erville AldersonErville AldersonErville Alderson was an American film actor. He appeared in nearly 200 films between 1918 and 1957. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri and died in Glendale, California.-Selected filmography:*America...
as Judge Henry L. Foster - Effie ShannonEffie ShannonEffie Shannon was a stage and silent screen actress. She had a 60 year career as starring performer and later character actress. Her partner or husband was Herbert Kelcey who died in 1917...
as Mrs. Foster - Charles Hammond as Lennox, Sr.
- Roy Applegate as the Detective
- Florence Fair as Miss Vinton
- Marie ShotwellMarie ShotwellMarie Shotwell was an American actress of the stage and screen.Shotwell was in motion pictures beginning in 1915 with roles in God's Witness, The Taming of Mary, Under Southern Skies, and The Tale of the C. Her film career continued until the late 1920s, including Sally of the Sawdust with W.C...
as Society Leader - Glenn Anders as Leon, the Acrobat
- Harrison FordHarrison Ford (silent film actor)Harrison Ford was an American stage and film actor. He was a leading Broadway theatre performer and a star of the silent film era.-Career:...
in undetermined role (uncredited) - James Kirkwood, Sr.James Kirkwood, Sr.James Kirkwood, Sr. was an American actor and director....
in undetermined role (uncredited) - Tammany YoungTammany YoungTammany Young was an American stage and film actor, who appeared with W.C. Fields in seven films.-Early life:...
as Yokel in the old army game (uncredited)