7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964) Reviews

• The Wisdom of the Good Doctor

  pirate1_power2004-05-18

  "This is the Circus of Dr. Lao. We show you things that you don't know. Oh, we spare no pains and we spare no dough, but we're going to give you one helluva show!" And the Good Doctor certainly did, thanks to the boundless imagination of producer-director George Pal, the cutting-edge script from Twilight Zone veteran Charles Beaumont, and of course MGM's remarkably talented makeup wizard, William Tuttle, whose efforts for this film earned him a Special Achievement Oscar, long before Best Makeup ever became the more permanent category it is these days. The story, based on the book by Charles Finney, takes place at the cusp of the early 1910's. The setting is a small Arizona town named Abilone, whose inhabitants are facing a crisis that threatens the overall future of the town. The greater crisis, however, lies in the townsfolk's own humanity, and the balance of our story follows Dr. Lao and his Circus as they transform that crisis into a better understanding. At the heart of the town's battle to survive is the personal conflict pitting newsman Ed Cunningham (John Ericson) against town shyster Clinton Stark (Arthur O'Connell). Only the intervention of the Circus will permit them to come to terms with who they really are, as opposed to who they should become. Ed has also fallen in love with Angela Benedict, the town librarian (Barbara Eden), and must confront his own passions for her while covering Dr. Lao's Circus. But when Angie's young son Mike (Kevin Tate) befriends Dr. Lao, the film is strengthened with its greatest wisdom, one that is best explored when the entire family watches this film. "The whole world is a circus if you learn to look at it the right way," the seven-millennia-old Dr. Lao reminds his new friend. "Every time you pick up a handful of dust, and see not the dust, but a mystery, a miracle, right there in your hands --- every time you stop to think, 'I'm alive, and being alive is fantastic!' --- every time such a thing happens, Mike, only then are you part of the Circus of Dr. Lao." Even today, I still shed a tear when I see this film, especially during the scene in which Lao summons Merlin the Magician to perform for the good folks of Abilone. Most of them have pretty much lost their ability to believe in magic. But not Mike Benedict. How can you not be moved to tears when you see Merlin tenderly embracing the lad, to thank him for having believed in the wonder of Magic? The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao is one of the few quintessential examples of the astounding range of Tony Randall's acting versatility.... a versatility we will most certainly miss.... and most certainly remember. As my Wizardly alter ego Blackwolf will tell you, that one scene --- Merlin's magic show --- holds a special place in the hearts of all Magic-users. With the news of Tony Randall's death having just gone out over the wires, I think fans of Dr. Lao will want another look at this remarkable little film that reminds us all how important it is to take a look at ourselves and our future. This is Dr. Lao's greatest feat, and to accomplish it, he tells the tale of "The Fall of the City" to the townsfolk of Abilone. Using stock footage from George Pal's Atlantis: The Lost Continent, interspersed with new footage featuring the Dr. Lao adult cast performing double duty as various Atlantean inhabitants, and the awesome strains of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor booming in the background, "The Fall of the City" sequence is a masterpiece of drama, and an inspiring reminder that life is worth the battle so long as you learn something from it. Overall, The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao is that rare curiosity of a movie, the kind that has something to say, and says it eloquently without preaching or sensationalizing its subject matter. We should all thank Tony Randall for having taken on this unique, one-of-a-kind filmmaking challenge. That, I think, is why we will miss him most of all.

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• More Than Just a Freak Show

  EmperorNortonII2004-05-10

  There aren't many movies like "7 Faces of Dr. Lao." It's an amazing feast for the eyes and the mind. Tony Randall plays the title character, Dr. Lao, the ringmaster of a magical circus that comes to the troubled town of Abalo. Not only does he play that role, but several attractions at the circus, creatures and characters of legend. (He even provided the voice-over for the trailer!) The circus not only provides entertainment, but also teaches the residents of Abalo a few lessons. At times, the story is campy, and some of the special effects are cheap (about as good as could be expected for 1964!). But it also produces food for thought, and makes you think about the magic of everyday life. It's one trip to the circus you won't soon forget!

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• Unusually clever satire

  herbqedi2002-04-12

  This movie is an unsung masterpiece with alternate realities transformed by Director George Pal. Randall's talents were ever used to better advantage. The clever inside-out look of town-as-dysfunctional-family juxtaposed against Dr. Lao's circus frames the satire perfectly. Arthur O'Connell and John Ericson are marvelous as Dr. Lao's opponents for the town's soul.

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• Special thanks to "Tony and Me" & Jack Klugman

  happipuppi132006-01-11

  I'll start off by letting you know,I'm not going to re-hash the story in my review. Everyone's pretty much covered it,so I'll just hit what were the highlights for me. First of all,I grew up with "The Odd Couple" reruns in the early 1980s,on channel 5 here in Phoenix,AZ. I loved what Tony & Jack did together. So I was sad when I heard about Tony's passing and was compelled to read Mr. Klugman's book "Tony and Me". In the book,Jack recommends seeing,"The 7 faces Of Dr. Lao",calling it "a rare gem". He is certainly correct. I had never even heard of or seen this movie anywhere,anytime or anyplace in my life,which I find odd. Anyhow,I think what sets a person up to watch this movie is you think it's going to be another typical "western". (It couldn't be anyway,it's set in the early 1900's). With Lao's riding in on a horse with a goldfish bowl in the saddle,you know it's going to be a strange trip. I was glad to see that Tony Randall got to speak in normal English and not just as the stereotyped Chinaman. For a movie filmed in 1963,it has great ideas and daring scenes. Scenes like the one with Barbra Eden and "Pan" the God of Joy. As someone stated,for this era,it's a pretty racy scene. Especially since in most films long ago,you rarely saw a woman demonstrate her "desires" like that. Other scenes are Merlin the Wizard,who ends up letting down his audience but then again they were being impossible with him,so maybe he did it on purpose? Who knows. The scene with our resident villain and serpent who resembles him is a great character assassination on the part of said serpent. The whole scene is hilarious but true. Some people think too highly of themselves. That fact is later set in stone when he gets his fortune read by Appollonius. Although depressing and very surprising,Appollonius' brutal honesty in reading futures is what makes the two scenes with that character compelling. He's not catering to their egos or whims,he's "cursed' to tell the absolute truth. I love how Tony R. submerges himself into these characters! The "Medusa" scene probably would have scared me if I were a kid but it's still a bit of an uncomfortable thought,being turned to stone. (At least Medusa shut up that loud mouthed woman!) Seeing Mr. Randall in that make up...sort of like Boy George 20 years before-hand. The second night of Dr. Lao's circus,with the overhead "visualiztion" is great too. I love how the scene goes black and they all wake up in the town hall. Ready to vote to sell or save their town. Granted,the special effects in the film are a product of their time but since it's fantasy,it really doesn't take anything away from the film. In fact,when the sea-serpent attacks,it's no less exciting for not being "computer animated". I mostly just like the honesty of the characters. These aren't your average movie characters. They are very much like real people of that era. After watching this,I can't believe it wasn't even considered for a "Best Picture" Oscar. "My Fair Lady" a better film? I think not. Find "Lao" wherever you can,I guarantee,it'll be worth it.

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• Wonderfully unique fantasy with amazing performance by Tony Randall

  tkinnee20012004-05-20

  This is a one-of-a-kind fantasy film, a neglected masterpiece. It was produced and directed by the great George Pal, pioneer creator of quality science-fiction and fantasy films in the 50's and 60's (Destination Moon, The Time Machine, War of the Worlds, Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm). It was based on a underground cult novel from the 30's, The Circus of Dr. Lao by Charles G. Finney, and the screenplay was written by master fantasist Charles Beaumont (The Twilight Zone, Corman's Masque of the Red Death). And it starred the late Tony Randall in the performance of his career, the central character who constantly transforms into all sorts of magical mythological identities, from the mysterious immortal Chinese mage Dr. Lao, to the ancient legendary magician Merlin, to the pagan fertility god Pan, to the mythical Greek seer Appolonius, to the fearsome snake-haired Medusa, to the Abominable Snowman, and so on. William Tuttle's amazing Oscar-winning make-up helps Randall achieve each transformation. Dr. Lao brings his wondrous Bradburyesque traveling circus to a small Arizona town at the beginning of the 20th century and the townsfolk witness a series of impossible creatures, supernatural spectacles, as they learn hidden lessons and transcendent truths---as does the audience in this supremely imaginative, truly magical film. As the kindly supernatural Lao tells the little boy who wants to run away from home to join the carnival: "The whole world is a circus if you look at it the right way. Every time you pick up a handful of dust and see not the dust but a mystery, a marvel there in your hand. Every time you stop and think I'm alive and being alive is fantastic. Every time such a thing happens, you are part of the circus of Dr. Lao."

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