Biancaneve is an Italian erotic comic book, created in 1972 by Renzo Barbieri and Rubino Ventura and illustrated by Leone Frollo. The series, published by Edifumetto, was based on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, however soon lost most of its connections with the original story. The series chronicles the sexual adventures of the title character in a world of magic and monsters. Biancaneve (Snow White) remains a virgin under attack during the first four issues of the series, however, after losing her virginity in volume 5, she becomes increasingly addicted to sex.

The comic has lasted for 94 issues, distributed in four series: #1-2, #1-12, #1-12, #1-68. It has also been published in other countries, like France, where it was published as Contes malicieux, by Elvifrance, and Brazil, where it was published as Branquela, by Idéia Editoral (a subsidiary of Editora Três), and Denmark, where it was published as Snehvide og de 7 frække dværge, by Forlaget Holme.

Alessandro Biffignandi painted all the covers for the series, claiming it was his favorite title to work on.The comics inspired two films, La principessa sul pisello (1976), directed by Piero Regnoli and starring Susanna Martinková, and Biancaneve & Co (1982), directed by Mario Bianchi and featuring starlet Michela Miti with Oreste Lionello, Gianfranco d’Angelo and Aldo Sambrell. The latter was also released in English as Snow White and 7 Wise Men.

(Source: CG 2020/chef)

Notable for not actually featuring the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale ‘The Princess and the Pea’, director Piero Regnoli plunders ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Snow White…’ instead, with actresses Crista Linder and Susanna Martinkova taking the title roles respectively. It is rumoured the film took in a staggeringly low 70,000 lira at the Italian box-office which may explain its relative obscurity. A 35mm telecine has since surfaced online and there remains no official release to date.

Director Piero Regnoli was a veteran director who appears to have worked in just about every genre imaginable, although he’s perhaps best know for Playgirls and the Vampire (1960) – one of the earliest sound Italian horror films. He also directed the highly atmospheric proto-giallo I’ll See You in Hell (1960) With only 11 films under his belt as a director, he was a far more prolific writer with over 116 screenplays to his credit.

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