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poster of The White Sheik
Rating: 7.2/10 by 267 users

The White Sheik (1952)

In Italy, small-town newlyweds Wanda and Ivan Cavalli embark on their honeymoon in the big city of Rome. Ivan dutifully wants to keep appointments with family and church, but Wanda is only interested in meeting her favorite photo-strip star known as "The White Sheik". While Wanda impetuously sneaks away to locate the object of her affections, disconsolate Ivan tries his hardest to keep up appearances with the couple's relatives.

Directing:
  • Federico Fellini
  • Moraldo Rossi
  • Stefano Ubezio
Writing:
  • Michelangelo Antonioni
  • Tullio Pinelli
  • Tullio Pinelli
  • Federico Fellini
  • Federico Fellini
  • Ennio Flaiano
Stars:
Release Date: Sat, Sep 27, 1952

Rating: 7.2/10 by 267 users

Alternative Title:
Der weiße Scheich - DE
De witte sjeik - NL
El sheik - AR
De witte cheik - BE
Le scheik blanc - BE
Le Cheik blanc - CA
Courrier du coeur - FR
Mi mujer me es infiel - PE
Белый шейх - SU

Country:
Italy
Language:
Italiano
Runtime: 01 hour 23 minutes
Budget: $0
Revenue: $0

Plot Keyword: runaway, honeymoon, camel, swing, black and white, photo shoot, police station

Alberto Sordi
Fernando Rivoli, the White Sheik
Brunella Bovo
Wanda Giardino Cavalli
Giulietta Masina
Cabiria, the Prostitute
Ernesto Almirante
Dottore Fortuna, the Photonovel's Director
Lilia Landi
Felga, the Photonovel's Gipsy
Fanny Marchiò
Marilena Alba Vellardi
Gina Mascetti
Rita Rivoli, Fernando's Wife
Jole Silvani
Assunta, Cabiria's Colleague
Mimo Billi
Man on the Beach
Armando Libianchi
Mr. Mevaglia, the Accountant
Ugo Attanasio
Ivan's Uncle
Giulio Moreschi
Hotel Doorman
Elettra Zago
Ivan's Aunt
Aroldino
Cousin Aroldino
Antonio Acqua
Police Commissioner (uncredited)
Silvia De Vietri
Chambermaid (uncredited)
Rino Leandri
(uncredited)
Guglielmo Leoncini
Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Ettore Maria Margadonna
(extra) (uncredited)
Carlo Mazzoni
Photonovel's Writer (uncredited)
Giorgio Salvioni
Doctor (uncredited)
Gino Anglani
(uncredited)
Roberto Onorati
(uncredited)

CinemaSerf

I wonder if Peter Sellers ever based any of his characters on the charmingly hapless "Fernando" (Alberto Soldi) from this really quite engaging comedy? He arrives in Rome with new new bride "Wanda" (Brunella Bovo) with a full schedule ahead of them. He's more of a traditionalist and on this trip he wants to meet with family and do the courteous rounds introducing his new bride. She, on the other hand, is obsessed with the eponymous film star, and manages to arrange a meeting. She doesn't tell her husband, of course, and sets off for what she assumes will be the briefest of hand-shakes. Not quite - she is soon carried away with the crew to a filming location on the coast. No phone, no train and "Fernando" many miles away doing the dutiful relative thing - without his "Wanda"! What now ensues sees both characters try to reunite whilst having some fun escapades en route. I can only hope it's a silent film they are making for the noise on set, the strangers wandering through shot and "Wanda" ending up dressed as a harem girl makes for a chaotic process that I suspect Fellini is not suggesting is based on his own. Meantime, "Fernando" is getting more and more perplexed, fed up, disorientated - and even tempted. His uncle also reminds them that tomorrow at 11am, they have an appointment - at the Vatican - with the Pope! Can they get back together in time? The scenario is naturally fun, Soldi has a little of the Chaplin to his persona and a strong supporting cast help keep this quickly paced and genuinely amusing for just shy of ninety minutes.


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