Nostalgic and charming...despite being crude

While not as well known as the famous Marguerite Clark version of "Snow White", also released in 1916, this attempt does have it's merits. Before the Clark version was discovered in a Dutch archive, this version was often mistaken for the Clark film, and is even featured in the 1987 50th Anniversary TV tribute to the Walt Disney "Snow White", in place of the Clark film.

The cast of this version is comprised entirely children, mostly female. Aimee Ehrlich plays BOTH "Good Queen Mary" AND "Snow White". This is a very popular practice in casting the characters of a deceased mother and her adult daughter. Two fine examples of this casting can be seen in films such as the 1925 version of "Les Miseables" and the 1940 Judy Garland musical "Little Nellie Kelly". She is very sweet as "Queen Mary" but slightly spastic as "Snow White". As our title character, she spends 90% of her screen time skipping and running in circles, waving her arms about like a mad woman. There were actually several times I feared she would run into a tree or simply topple over.

Ruth Richie is hysterical as "Wicked Queen Alice". This girl has some severe issues and Richie makes the most out of each and every one of them! Her hair pulling and fist pounding are enough to make any viewer laugh, and is the highlight of the film.

The "King", Snow White's widower father, is played by Patsy Grace Lichtenburg. Cast females in male roles is a very common practice in fairy tales, particularly in the annual British pantomime productions. The "King" had little more to do than dote on Snow White in the beginning and walk around like an enchanted zombie for the rest of the film. But, if that's all "he" need to, Lichtenburg does it well.

The group of giddy fairy's, who are responsible for Snow White's birth, are a charming at the same time annoying. When first introduced, the little girls playing the roles are adorable with their little ringlets and fairy frocks. But, like the character of "Snow White", they spend the movie dancing and twirling around all over the screen. One pointless scene involves them throwing a party for Snow White, because she was saved from the poisoned comb the Queen gave her. The scene is endless and gives "Snow White" yet another opportunity to dance around like twit....this time on a table.

The cinematography, for an early 1900's kiddie film, is quite well done. The use of long shots allows the viewer to take in and appreciate the wonderful natural landscapes and quite elaborate sets. It reminded me slightly of the old Baum, "OZ Film Manufacturing Company" movies of the same era.

IF you can find this film, which is available through Buyer's Gallery Video, it is worth the watch. Considered lost, as was the Marguerite Clark version, it is a rare gem and insight to early American cinema. Two other silent versions of Snow White were known to have been made, both also considered "lost". One is a French version from 1902 and the other an American one starring silent beauty Elise Albert, from 1913. Hopefully, these two will surface one day!

The adventure genre features exciting journeys, quests, or expeditions undertaken by characters who often face challenges, obstacles, and risks in pursuit of a goal. Adventures can take place in a wide range of settings, from exotic and fantastical locations to historical or even everyday environments.

The family genre features stories specifically created to be suitable for a wide range of age groups within a family. Family-oriented content is designed to be enjoyed by both children and adults, often providing entertainment that is wholesome, relatable, and appropriate for all members of a family to watch or experience together.

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The fantasy genre features imaginative and often magical worlds, characters, and events. It explores realms beyond the boundaries of reality, featuring elements such as magic, mythical creatures, supernatural powers, and fantastical settings. These stories can take place in entirely fictional worlds or blend fantastical elements with real-world settings.

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The horror genre features stories that aim to elicit fear, suspense, and a sense of dread in its audience. Horror stories often explore themes related to the unknown, the supernatural, and the macabre, and they frequently evoke strong emotional reactions such as anxiety, terror, and unease.

The romance genre features the theme of romantic relationships and emotional connections between characters. These stories focus on the development of love, desire, and intimacy between protagonists, often exploring the challenges, conflicts, and triumphs that arise in their relationships.

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"Mirror, mirror on the wall who's the fairest of them all?" The Wicked Queen knows that the looking glass will always answer, "you are." But one day, the magic mirror has something new to say: Snow White, the Queen's stepdaughter, has grown into the most beautiful woman in the land. Enraged by this news, the Wicked Queen orders one of her underlings to murder the girl. But the assassin does not have the heart to hurt such a lovely and innocent creature. Instead, he tells Snow White of the Queen's evil plot, and urges her to escape. Frightened by the news, Snow White flees the castle and finds a new home with a family of gold-mining dwarfs. But her jealous stepmother possesses powers that may still bring harm to the sweet and generous girl...

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Roy Atwell, Stuart Buchanan, Adriana Caselotti, Eddie Collins, Pinto Colvig, Billy Gilbert, Otis Harlan, Lucille La Verne, Scotty Mattraw, Harry Stockwell, and George Kiplunks in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Billy Barty, Diana Rigg, Malcolm Dixon, Mike Edmonds, Gary Friedkin, Arturo Gil, Ricardo Gil, Sarah Patterson, and Tony Cooper in Snow White (1987)

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