by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Character actor Mischa Auer tended to choose vehicles unworthy of his talents when he left Hollywood for Europe during the postwar era. Biancaneve e I Setti Lavri is a heavy-handed variation on the "Snow White" legend, with a gang of thieves replacing the seven dwarves. Auer glowers and grimaces through his performance as the gang leader, while the Snow White character -- actually a naïve young man -- is played by Neapolitan comedian Peppino De Felippo, to whom subtlety is a lost art. The plot finds De Felippo plotting to rob the home of his wealthy fiancee. Naturally, everything goes sour -- including the script. Still, Biancaneve e i Sette Lavri posted a decent profit when first released in Italy.
