{"id":1150,"date":"2006-05-30T13:59:12","date_gmt":"2006-05-30T20:59:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1150"},"modified":"2020-12-16T10:27:56","modified_gmt":"2020-12-16T17:27:56","slug":"7-faces-of-dr-lao-1964","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1150","title":{"rendered":"7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;The whole world is a circus, if you know how to look at it.&#8221; <\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-of-Dr.-Lao-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-of-Dr.-Lao-Poster-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-22974\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-of-Dr.-Lao-Poster-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-of-Dr.-Lao-Poster-85x128.jpg 85w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-of-Dr.-Lao-Poster.jpg 506w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nAncient Dr. Lao (Tony Randall) and his circus of supernatural attractions arrive in the small town of Abalone, New Mexico, and proceed to change the lives of the townspeople. <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Carnivals and Circuses<\/li>\n<li>Character Arc<\/li>\n<li>Con-Artists<\/li>\n<li>Fantasy<\/li>\n<li>George Pal Films<\/li>\n<li>John Qualen Films<\/li>\n<li>Science Fiction<\/li>\n<li>Small Town America<\/li>\n<li>Tony Randall Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary&#8217;s Review:<\/strong><br \/>\nAs Peary writes, Tony Randall&#8217;s brilliant performance in <em>7 Faces of Dr. Lao <\/em>&#8220;may be the finest [ever] in a fantasy film.&#8221;  Randall rivals Peter Sellers (who was originally considered for this film) and Alec Guinness in his ability to seamlessly embody multiple characters in one story.  <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Dr.-Lao-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Dr.-Lao-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"853\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-58178\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Dr.-Lao-1.jpg 853w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Dr.-Lao-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Dr.-Lao-1-128x72.jpg 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Dr.-Lao-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Dr.-Lao-1-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Indeed, thanks in large part to Randall&#8217;s acting chops, Dr. Lao and his attractions &#8212; snake-headed Medusa, the ancient magician Merlin, the blind seer Apollonius, a ribald Pan, the hairy Abominable Snowman (in just a bit part), and an animated serpent &#8212; are thoroughly distinct entities, though kudos clearly belongs to those in charge of make-up and costumes as well.   <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Medusa-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Medusa-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"853\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-58173\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Medusa-1.jpg 853w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Medusa-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Medusa-1-128x72.jpg 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Medusa-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Medusa-1-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Seer.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Seer-1024x584.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"365\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58175\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Seer-1024x584.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Seer-300x171.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Seer-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Seer-768x438.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Seer-1536x875.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Seer-474x270.png 474w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Seer.png 1809w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Merlin.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Merlin-1024x578.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"361\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58174\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Merlin-1024x578.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Merlin-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Merlin-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Merlin-768x433.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Merlin-1536x866.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Merlin-479x270.png 479w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Merlin.png 1849w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Pan2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Pan2-1024x571.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"357\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58177\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Pan2-1024x571.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Pan2-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Pan2-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Pan2-768x428.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Pan2-1536x857.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Pan2-484x270.png 484w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Pan2.png 1813w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Snake.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Snake-1024x581.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"363\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58176\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Snake-1024x581.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Snake-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Snake-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Snake-768x436.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Snake-1536x872.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Snake-476x270.png 476w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Snake.png 1813w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, the plot suffers whenever Randall is off the screen, and I suspect this may be the answer to Peary&#8217;s puzzlement over why the film hasn&#8217;t garnered more of a cult following over the years.  I recently read the novel upon which the film is based (<em>The Circus of Dr. Lao <\/em>by Charles Finney, originally published in 1935), and discovered that the underlying plot of the movie &#8212; about an imminent take-over of the town by greedy investors &#8212; was added on by the filmmakers, as was the romance between Barbara Eden&#8217;s single mother (simply a young, virginal teacher in the book) and John Ericson&#8217;s newspaper editor.  Indeed, Finney&#8217;s unusual novel is ultimately more of a philosophical musing than a plot-driven story, and must have been somewhat difficult to translate to the screen. Nonetheless, <em>Dr. Lao <\/em>is lots of fun once you get beyond the first twenty minutes or so &#8212; and it is certainly must-see viewing for any film fanatic.    <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tony Randall, of course<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Randall-Dr-Lao2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Randall-Dr-Lao2-1024x568.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"355\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58179\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Randall-Dr-Lao2-1024x568.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Randall-Dr-Lao2-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Randall-Dr-Lao2-128x71.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Randall-Dr-Lao2-768x426.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Randall-Dr-Lao2-1536x851.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Randall-Dr-Lao2-487x270.png 487w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Randall-Dr-Lao2-1038x576.png 1038w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Randall-Dr-Lao2.png 1835w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Memorable and effective make-up, costumes, and sets<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Cinematography2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Cinematography2-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58181\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Cinematography2-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Cinematography2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Cinematography2-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Cinematography2-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Cinematography2-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Cinematography2-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Cinematography2.png 1829w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fun special effects<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Medusa-Stone-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Medusa-Stone-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"853\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-58180\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Medusa-Stone-1.jpg 853w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Medusa-Stone-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Medusa-Stone-1-128x72.jpg 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Medusa-Stone-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Medusa-Stone-1-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 853px) 100vw, 853px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Barbara Eden &#8220;loosening up&#8221; under the influence of Pan<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Eden2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Eden2-1024x578.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"361\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-58172\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Eden2-1024x578.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Eden2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Eden2-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Eden2-768x433.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Eden2-1536x866.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Eden2-479x270.png 479w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2006\/05\/7-Faces-Eden2.png 1821w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See?<\/strong><br \/>\nYes. Tony Randall&#8217;s multiple performances are a wonder to behold.  <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Noteworthy Performance(s)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/imdb.com\/title\/tt0057812\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fantasticmoviemusings.com\/2017\/09\/17\/7-faces-of-dr-lao-1964\/\">SciFilm.org Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdreview.com\/reviews\/pages\/1468.shtml\">DVD Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;The whole world is a circus, if you know how to look at it.&#8221; Synopsis: Ancient Dr. Lao (Tony Randall) and his circus of supernatural attractions arrive in the small town of Abalone, New Mexico, and proceed to change the lives of the townspeople. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Carnivals and Circuses Character Arc Con-Artists Fantasy George Pal Films John Qualen Films Science Fiction Small Town America Tony Randall Films Response to Peary&#8217;s Review: As Peary writes, Tony Randall&#8217;s brilliant&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=1150\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1150","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1150","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1150"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1150\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58183,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1150\/revisions\/58183"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1150"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1150"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1150"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}