The first film of Federico Fellini, a highly touted young Italian director, to be shown publicly in these parts is a 4-year-old item called "The White Sheik."… In fairness to Signor Fellini, we will not speculate on his talents until we see a few more of his films.

For the truth is that this little item, which significantly has to do with the naive and farcical adventures of a hick honeymoon couple in Rome, is surprisingly broad and ingenuous, in the manner of early silent comedies. And, except for a few clever touches, it is devoid of the robust fun of the antique form….

We won't count this against Signor Fellini. This one was just a practice swing.

Bosley Crowther, "'The White Sheik'," in The New York Times (© 1956 by The New York Times Company; reprinted by permission), April 26, 1956, p. 37.