Search - Sally of the Sawdust on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Suitable for Children Movie Release: 1925 DVD Release: 01/12/1999 Format: DVD - Black and White Edition: Special Collection SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 53 mins Studio: Image Entertainment Members Wishing: 4 Genres: Comedy, Romantic Comedy, Melodrama, Showbiz Comedy See Also: Sally of the Stardust

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. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Carol Dempster - Sally
W.C. Fields - Prof. Eustace P. McGargle
Alfred Lunt - Peyton Lennox
Erville Alderson - Judge Henry L. Foster
Effie Shannon - Mrs. Foster

Working from materials in the Blackhawk Film Collection, Image Entertainment have produced a nice, if bare-bones edition of Sally of the Sawdust, a 1925 D.W. Griffith outing that mixes elements of burlesque and amped-up melodrama with the aid of W.C. Fields, Carol Dempster, and Alfred Lunt. Image has chosen to windowbox the relatively square image, preserving all of the visible information. The transfer has been made from an excellent print, which shows relatively few signs of wear or blemishing. There is a mild sepia tint throughout, well in keeping with the time. This does appear to be a print struck from a master a generation removed from the original, as contrast is not quite as dynamic as might be expected, with less-than-solid blacks most of the time. This is not overly disturbing, however, as the image is sharp and clear, free of grain and compression artifacts, with no apparent edge enhancement. Image's transfer engineers have also managed to pull off a very nice speed adjustment, making this DVD all the more watchable.
The audio is, purely and simply, a Dolby Stereo track featuring a piano performance by Philip Carli, working from the original cue sheets. It's a good, energetic performance that easily keeps pace with the film, making the overall experience enjoyable. There are no extras. The DVD has 25 chapter stops and comes in a snapper case. ~ Steven E. McDonald, All Movie Guide