7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964)

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Too much of everything

I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

If you've seen TV's "The Odd Couple" starring Tony Randall and Jack Klugman and you think you know Tony Randall, BOY, have YOU got something to see!"The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao" is quite a showcase for the amazing talents of Mr. Randall, thanks to its Director, a man extremely well-versed in the techniques of True Movie Magic, the one and only George Pal. If Mr. Pal's name is not familiar to you, look up his Filmography on IMDb. One look at the films he either Directed, or was the Special Effects Master for, and you'll know what I mean.Since there are SO many user reviews for this film, I won't get into the intricacies of the plot and the other little things that happen in the film. But I will say that if you have NOT seen this movie, you are in for a real treat! Mr. Randall (who was a terrific guy when I met him at the old NBC studios in Beautiful Downtown Burbank, California - he was there for an appearance on The Flip Wilson Show - which shows you how long ago THAT was), plays quite a number of parts in "7 Faces", and you're likely not to recognize him in most of them, thanks to the deftly applied makeup of William Tuttle, and Randall's fine acting. These things and the exceptional Direction and effects of George Pal make for a great film. Personally, I find it hard to believe that "The 7 Faces Of Dr. Lao" was somehow NOT a huge hit. It certainly had every right to be when it played in theaters. MGM's Publicity and Advertising people at the time MUST have dropped the ball somewhere along the line. This was not a cheap movie to make. It was done LONG before computer effects, and the special effects in this film are nothing short of brilliant for their time - or ANY time - especially when you remember that they were ALL DONE BY HAND! If you get the chance, or you're a member of Amazon Prime, I highly recommend that you see this VERY well-made movie. It'll be worth your time and then some. And if you're not MADLY in love with the lovely Barbara Eden by the end of this movie, check yourself for a pulse!

Not a hit when first released, but now regarded as a fantasy masterpiece by the amazing George Pal. Featuring the (also) amazing Oscar-winning makeup of MGM's William Tuttle. Tony Randall does not entirely play all "7 Faces" of Dr. Lao alone, as the snake is either stop-motion animated or a puppet by George Pal. Also, "Pan" seems to take on the physical appearance of Barbara Eden's love-interest. The first 18 minutes are a bit slow, and have often been condensed, by content or speed, for network-cable viewing. It is not your imagination, the little Western town of Abalone appears brown and drab until Dr. Lao shows up with his magical one-man circus. Like Prof. Harold Hill in "The Music Man", Dr. Lao brings a zest-for-life and sense of wonder to a small and insignificant little town that an unscrupulous "town boss" is about to buy out "lock stock and barrel", as later "satirized" in the farce "Blazing Saddles" a decade later! Only he (and Dr. Lao) know that the railroad is coming through! "Dr. Lao" is a curiosity of a film, yet great fun and magical, for the most part. Slightly "preachy", with a moral,like most George Pal films.The "Loch Ness Monster" looks similar to the giant dragon in George Pal's "Brothers Grimm", and chases two bullying cowboys out of town. A real old fashioned Saturday matinée type of movie from the 60's. Now available from the Warner Archive collection only in a custom DVD-R format, which will run on most current (but not all) DVD & Blu-Ray players.

A Chinese magician by the name of "Dr. Lao" (played by Tony Randall) rides into the arid western town of Abalone to seek out the newspaper publisher "Ed Cunningham" (John Erickson) to have him announce that the circus is coming to town. And it's an unusual circus which features: Merlin, Pan (the God of Joy), Medusa, the Abominable Snowman, the Giant Serpent, and Appollonius of Tyana (all of whom are played by Tony Randall). During his visit, a town hall meeting is being held and the rich--but dishonest-- businessman "Clint Stark" (Arthur O'Connell) is telling the townspeople that the pipe delivering water to the town is crumbling apart and that it will cost $237,000 to repair. Knowing that they cannot possibly raise the money he offers to buy their land and homes from them. He then gives them a couple of days to make their decision. In the meantime everyone decides to visit the circus. When they do they discover things about themselves that they never knew before. Rather than spoil the movie for those who haven't seen it let me just say that this is a very enjoyable picture that the whole family will love. Not only does it showcase the versatility of Tony Randall but it also features the beautiful Barbara Eden as the widowed librarian "Angela Benedict" who is working hard to support a young son named "Mike Benedict" (Kevin Tate) and her mother-in-law, "Sarah Benedict" (Argentina Brunetti). She is also doing her best to resist the charms of Ed Cunningham. And while her performance is good it is Tony Randall in his many guises who actually steals this show. Be that as it may, this movie has a good cast, a good plot and was even nominated for an Academy Award for "Best Special Effects". Again, this is an excellent movie and it's definitely worth a look if you get the opportunity.

George Pal was a special effects master. This film shows his genius in special effects & more. George took on a lot of challenging special effects films during the 1950's & 60's. When Worlds Collide is a good example of some of that work.The story of this film, Dr. Lao, has adult & children's levels all blended together into a very solid piece of entertainment. "All the world is a circus," is the children's level & the adult levels are multiple. This film shows adult corruption, a woman (Barbara Eden, no less) nearly being seduced by a half-man half-goat out of Greek Mythology. It pieces together a lot of Greek Mythology with the destruction of Pompei, & a tale about the Loch Ness Monster. The film was treated very unfairly by critics when it was released as enemies of Tony Randall ganged up & shot the film down. This is unfortunate, because this film is much better than the critics who might not have liked Randall due to personal reasons, not because of the quality of the film.Arthur O'Connell who would go on to some good television work, does well in this film as the bad guy, Stark, whose trying to steal all the land in town because the railroad is coming. In that way, the plot is reused later in Blazing Saddles by Mel Brooks, but this film is more cerebral than the latter film. Frank Cady is in this film in support & he had worked on Pal's When Worlds Collide too & went on from this in television as the owner of Druckers store & postmaster of of Hooterville on TV's Petticoat Junction, Green Acres & appeared on the Beverly Hillbillies.Dr Lao's Circus is kind of like a mirror that exposes all of us to really solid entertaining film. The mystery surrounding Dr. Lao & the little town he comes to visit & straighten out is much deeper than most films. This film is well worth a look, even now as it's fable quality makes it a timeless story with something for everybody.