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With this film, Walt Disney gave the world its first feature-length animated motion picture. So that counts for something, right? The story’s title heroine begins the film a humble scullery maid, content to scrub cobblestone walkways while singing to the birds and hoping that a man will eventually swing by and save her sorry ass. But when the wicked queen of the land asks her magic mirror, “Who’s the fairest of them all?”, fully expecting some flattery, the glass bastard says, “Snow White.” This sets the plot in motion, as the queen orders Snow White killed to retain top spot in the beauty contest inside her head. Snow White escapes murder and hides out in the woods with seven dwarfs who work in a diamond mine. She helps civilize the uncouth dwarfs, who enjoy her cooking and cleaning prowess. Their cottage, however, is destined for future cobwebs and growling stomachs when the queen returns — disguised as an old woman — with a poison apple in hand.

There is certainly beauty in the animation, and there are a some hella-catchy songs including “Heigh Ho”, “Whistle While You Work,” and “Some Day My Prince Will Come”. But it bothers me tremendously that Snow White has so little agency in her own story. She’s a victim from beginning to end, merely waiting for someone to save her. The only time she wields any degree of power and confidence is when she makes the dwarfs scrub up for dinner. (Maybe she should pick on someone her own size.) It doesn’t help that her voice (provided by Adriana Caselotti) is so darned squeaky. What can I say? I kinda hate Snow White her pint-sized harem and root for the evil queen in this movie. The film’s spookier moments, including Snow White’s fear-induced flight through the forest and the queen’s concoction of the poison apple, are my favorites.

If you think I’m being too hard on Snow White, don’t worry about her. She scores a man in the end and I’m sure he’s got her cooking and cleaning to her heart’s delight.

Honorary Academy Award: For recognition as a significant screen innovation which has charmed millions and pioneered a great new entertainment field (one statuette – seven miniature statuettes)

Oscar Nomination: Best Score