Sawdust

Summary

In a world where the circus is both sanctuary and prison, Nita Moore—portrayed by Gladys Walton—finds herself crushed beneath the iron heel of a tyrannical ringmaster. Driven by desperation, she flees the smoky tent and stumbles upon an elderly couple, their hearts instantly seized by the image of a long‑lost daughter. The pair, convinced of Nita’s lineage, welcome her into their modest home, weaving her into their quiet domestic tapestry. Yet the arrival of Phillip Lessoway, the couple’s lawyer, ignites a fragile romance that soon unravels under the weight of suspicion. A heated quarrel reveals the truth: Nita is an impostor, a woman who has stolen identities to survive. Faced with exposure, she attempts a desperate escape into the river that borders the town. In a tense climax, Lessoway rescues her from drowning, offering her a chance at redemption. The film explores themes of identity, love, and the fragile line between deception and authenticity.

Synopsis

Nita Moore (Gladys Walton), a circus performer, is mistreated by the ringmaster and runs away to join an old couple who are persuaded that Nita is their long lost daughter. Phillip Lessoway (Niles Welch), the couple's lawyer, falls in love with Nita, but after a quarrel he discovers and reveals to the adoptive parents that Nita is an impostor. Nita attempts suicide but is saved from a watery grave by Lessoway.