Excellent film with a gripping story!

Better Late Then Never

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

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!

'7 Faces of Dr. Lao' is one of those movies after you watch it and wonder "You know, why are more people not talking about this?" 'Dr. Lao.' is the story of an old Wild West town where nothing exciting ever seems to happen until one day an old mysterious Chinese man, the titular Dr. Lao, arrives wanting to show the citizens his circus with many wonderful creatures and people such as Merlin, Pan, Medusa etc. However it's not all fun and games as these attractions show some of the less likable townsfolk their true colours and makes them think twice about what their lives are like.Tony Randall plays Dr. Lao and his many 'faces' and is nothing short of fantastic, giving a wide range of performances from the quiet and harshly honest fortune teller to the wise and eccentric doctor himself. I also should mention that the rest of the cast isn't half-bad, especially the child who befriends Dr. Lao who really captures that sense of wonder and curiosity.The fantastic lines in this movie are enough to make anyone crack a smile and even get a little emotional, especially Lao's speech about the magic of life we experience every day.The sets, effects and music are all great too. The great puppet work with the snake, the fantastic stop motion monster near the end, the atmosphere of the circus really makes you feel like you've entered another world, the music ranging from bright and cheery to somber and subtle much like the film itself.If there's anything bad I could say about the movie, it's that it is pretty racist that Dr. Lao, a Chinese character, is played by a white guy. It doesn't help that he does put on a hilariously offensive accent but you got to think back to when the movie was made back when it was probably more acceptable and even the accent I just mentioned is actually just an act put on by the character as he is shown to speak perfect English. Also, most of the townsfolk are some of the biggest skeptics you will see in any movie. Medusa petrifies a woman at one point and Merlin manages to change her back as well as making her a nicer person than she was yet the townsfolk STILL don't think it's real. It's frustrating to watch sometimes to say the least.But the good outweighs the bad in almost any regard and this movie is a must-see for anyone, reminding us that no matter what we might experience, being alive is fantastic. Do me a favour and see it soon.

In the 1964 George Pal fantasy "7 Faces of Dr. Lao," the early 20th century Western town of Abalone seems to get a very unusual visitor. He is Dr. Lao, who claims to be 7,322 years old and who can control the actions of men and machines with a finger snap. The circus that he brings along with him is one that changes the lives of Abalone's citizens forever, after revealing things to the townspeople about themselves that they had never suspected. Lao's circus is comprised of a doddering Merlin, the Greek god Pan, the Abominable Snowman, the snake-haired Medusa, a talking serpent, and the seer Apollonius of Tyana, who delivers, to an old biddy, possibly the most deliciously morbid piece of fortune-telling in screen history. These six, as well as Dr. Lao himself AND a blank-faced audience member, are all played by Tony Randall in what Danny Peary, in his "Guide for the Film Fanatic," says "may be the finest performance in a fantasy film." (Randall IS terrific here, but personally, I would give that award to Margaret Hamilton's performance in a certain flying-monkey movie of 1939!) Randall is ably abetted here by a fine cast that includes Barbara Eden (one year pre-"Jeannie"), John Ericson (one year pre-"Honey West") and the great character actor Arthur O'Connell. Typical for a Pal production, the picture has wonderful special FX (especially that rampaging, ever-expanding sea serpent!), and William Tuttle's Oscar-winning makeup creations are truly wondrous to behold. On the downside, the film suffers, I feel, from having too light a tone, and could possibly be 15 minutes or so shorter and more compact. Still, this is a charming, thought-provoking entertainment, perfectly suited for watching with the kiddies. Recommended.

A charming little film directed by George Pal, and made brilliant solely by Tony Randall's tour de force in taking on several different roles. He starts out as the oriental Dr. Lao, who is magical and can transform himself into various forms within his own traveling circus. When a small western town starts to come apart at the seams due to an unscrupulous businessman, the wondrous Lao helps the community to see through the manipulation and helps everyone come to their senses by entertaining them at his mystical circus. Randall wears many different makeups courtesy of the award-winning William Tuttle: Dr. Lao, Merlin the old magician, the Abominable Snowman, Medusa, Pan, and Apollonius of Tyana. He also has a brief cameo in his own face as a member of the audience. *** out of ****