The great W.C. was at the height of his film career when he remade the silent movie "Sally of the Sawdust", loosely based upon the 1925 Broadway musical, "Poppy". The sound version added on a few songs as well although it is questionable if they were in the stage production. The story however is basically the same, focusing on the lovable con-artist devoted to daughter Rochelle Hudson who may be entitled to an estate. The main plot line concerns Hudson's insecurity of moving into society, falling in love with handsome Richard Cromwell, and being constantly reminded of her not so honorable beginnings as a carny girl.
Loosely remade by RKO with Robert Woolsey (who appeared in the original stage production) in 1931. this version had some of Fields' old routines including a delightfully funny croquet sequence with dowager Catherine Doucet standing by. Fields makes use if every prop on every scene, taking simple every day chores (such as getting dressed) and making them hysterical.
A fast moving and often poignant comedy, this holds up pretty well for being so old fashioned in plot. Fields obviously knew what type of comedy would stand the test of time. Hudson is lovely and is certainly a great heroine. This is classic in every sense and explains why the W.C. Fields cult exists to this very day.
Loosely remade by RKO with Robert Woolsey (who appeared in the original stage production) in 1931. this version had some of Fields' old routines including a delightfully funny croquet sequence with dowager Catherine Doucet standing by. Fields makes use if every prop on every scene, taking simple every day chores (such as getting dressed) and making them hysterical.
A fast moving and often poignant comedy, this holds up pretty well for being so old fashioned in plot. Fields obviously knew what type of comedy would stand the test of time. Hudson is lovely and is certainly a great heroine. This is classic in every sense and explains why the W.C. Fields cult exists to this very day.