7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964)

Wow.....I First Saw This Movie On A Army Troop Ship Headed To Vietnam In 1965. As The Ship Neared A Typhoon, The Small Movie Room Vacated. After A While, It Was Me & The Projectionist, Then Only Me As The Ship Tossed & Turned. Thankfully He Left The Projector On So I was Able To See The Entire Movie. I Found This Movie Very Entertaining, Fun & Enjoyable To Watch. Took My Mind Off Where I Was Headed & What Was In Store. Gave Me A New Take On Tony Randall As An Accomplished Actor & Comedian. It Has Left A Lasting Impression As I Can Remember More Of This Movie Than Others Since, With Maybe The Exception Of "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly". In Fact I Will Now Order This Movie From Amazon.com

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.

7 Faces of Dr. Lao is directed by George Pal and adapted to screenplay by Charles Beaumont from Charles G. Finney's book The Circus of Dr. Lao. It stars Tony Randall, Arthur O'Connell, John Ericson, Noah Beery Junior, Royal Dano and Barbara Eden. Music is by Leigh Harline and cinematography by Robert J. Bronner.The town of Abalone, Arizona, and the mysterious Dr. Lao (Randall) arrives announcing that his circus will be playing in Abalone for two nights only. The town is going through change and scheming rancher Clinton Stark (O'Connell) is suddenly trying to buy up all the land. Could Dr. Lao's arrival be connected? By the time this special circus is over all will be revealed and Abalone and its residents will never be the same again.I see your remaining days as a tedious collection of hours full of useless vanities.There aren't many fantasy/western hybrids out there, of the few there is, 7 Faces of Dr. Lao is the most enjoyable. Simple in plot, structure and message, picture brings to life a myriad of creatures and mythical beings as it plays out its sneaky satire with a backdrop of an old western town. These delightful "characters" come courtesy of make-up artist William Tuttle and special effects wizard Jim Danforth. With Tony Randall simply terrific in bringing all the human based ones to life.Even though it's wearing its light hearted outer shell on its sleeve, Pal's movie has dark moments of note. Particularly striking is one devastatingly sad sequence involving a shrewish middle aged woman and the fortune teller Appollonius. There's also a snatch of sexual repression by way of a meeting between the beautiful Barbara Eden and the energetic God, Pan. These are just a couple of the themes that are above a child's head but very much aimed at the watching adults.Some of it is a little creaky now and there are small irritants within. Dr. Lao the character comes dangerously close to being annoying at times with the overt Orientialism, and for what's it's worth The Abonimable Snowman creature may as well not exist as part of this circus since it serves no purpose. Fans of Finney's book are also likely to decry just how loose an adaptation this is. But for sheer entertainment value, and cross demographic appeal, it's mostly a film that brings rich rewards with each visit. 7.5/10

Yet another among my cinematic guilty pleasures. The best recommendation is for you to sit down with one or more kids and know nothing about what's in store, at least plot-wise. That's how I was introduced to the good doctor and why I need to return to his Circus every so often.I've always liked George Pal's touch, and much of his work rightfully endures. For the kids, seek The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm and tom thumb (and perhaps Houdini and The Great Rupert). For the adults, seek the original War of the Worlds and The Time Machine (and perhaps The Power). For both, seek this film and the Puppetoons; with the latter, if Jasper offends, he does so unintentionally, while John Henry and the Inky-Poo will more than offset.Along these lines you may take offense at the good doctor's acting out a stereotype. Look again. The whole point of this film is that looks can deceive, or at least merit another look.The source novel is just plain weird and won't help before or after. Charles Beaumont's screenplay adaptation displays more than a little of Rod Serling's Twilight Zone, with good reason.With one exception Tony Randall in makeup remains Tony Randall—in Oscar-winning makeup. Watch for the briefest cameo of him without. You'll also recognize a slew of character actors from elsewhere, including some classic Westerns.Judging from their work, Wardrobe, Makeup and the FX crew must've been a lot of fun to be around.Leigh Harline's musical score lingers, with bagpipes yet.The scene between Barbara Eden and Pan is—incandescent.You'll be moved by the scene between Apollonius and Mrs Cassan. It's only a minute or so in duration, sans mattes, strings, thunderclaps or laser show, as it plumbs the realm of the Fantastic with nothing more than insight. Just enter the tent