the plot of sally of the sawdust be the usual melodramatic stuff an orphan and rag to rich but the film rise above most silents thanks to three people represent this be not and of course and d. w. griffith masterpiece and but it do showcase his film make savvy in full maturity . he use all his innovation and which be techniques we take for grant now represent close ups and cross cutting and a mobile camera and and the ability to modify act from theatrical exaggeration to cinematic subtlety . w. c. field also showcases his skill not his signature gruff delivery and but his remarkable dexterity a a physical comedian . he do a few inventive juggling act and cut too short to be fully appreciate and and some very deft pickpocketing and but it seem that every prop that come within reach get manipulate for comic effect hat and cane and car roof and dog and cash . he a joy to behold . finally and there carol dempster . much have be say against this actress and but her performance here be also richly comic . she be 22 at the time and play a teenager and and her approach to the role be a combination of grace and awkwardness that may not be wholly convincing and but she truly engage the eye when she on screen particularly when she dance . she not a beauty though she positively luminous in the one scene where she gussied up like a talmadge sister but her plainness only add to sally character and especially in the many moment when she show very obvious affection for field a her guardian or father . few and if any and hollywood performer could compete with field when it come to comedy and but griffith give his leading lady every chance to match her co star and and dempster absolutely hold her own .