(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and/or characters. If you’re the type of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I’d encourage you to skip down to the last few paragraphs for the final assessment. If, however, you’re accepting of a few modest hints at ‘things to come,’ then read on …)
From the film’s IMDB.com page citation:
“A mysterious circus comes to a western town bearing wonders and characters that entertain the inhabitants and teach valuable lessons.”
For those of you who don’t know the name, George Pal might best be considered either the George Lucas or Steven Spielberg of an earlier generation. Either as a big-time director or producer, the man had his hands in some of the silver screen’s foundational Science Fiction and Fantasy projects. A quick glance at his professional profile will prove his association with such efforts as Destination Moon (1950), When Worlds Collide (1951), The War Of The Worlds (1953), Conquest Of Space (1955), and The Time Machine (1960). I think it’s safe to suggest that – ahem – the quality of his output lessened somewhat in the passage from one decade to the next (not an insult, just an observation) when he turned his eyes from the heavens back down to the Earth. 1961’s Atlantis: The Lost Continent is an interesting take on the mythical end to a fabled land but not much else. 1962’s The Wonderful World Of The Brothers Grimm is said to be ambitious but also a bit ‘long in the tooth’ with its biographical details. And as for 1964’s 7 Faces Of Dr. Lao? Well, that’s what brings us all here today.
Succinctly, one need understand that 7 Faces is the theatrical product of an earlier time wherein not a big hubbub was made over a white man playing roles of foreign descent. Basically, Tony Randall inhabits not one … not two … not three … and you can see where this is going. He embodies an incredible seven different characters – each with their own personality and proclivities – but perhaps it’s the Dr. Lao of the title which might be most concerning. This world-weary traveler has been everywhere and done everything; and, in practice, he weaves a bit of Chinese mysticism – that of his homeland – throughout a great many observations. Randall is most definitely not of Chinese descent, but he capably and respectfully uses his craft – along with a great degree of whimsy – to flesh out this harmless charlatan who seeks to right wrongs where he sees them in practice.
Based on the novel The Circus Of Dr. Lao by Charles G. Finney, screenwriter Charles Beaumont (of The Twilight Zone fame) adapted the tale for director Pal who – much like Lao serves as the ringmaster of a traveling spectacle – presides over these festivities. Arriving in the backwater berg of Abalone, Arizona, the good doctor decides this dwindling populace could use a bit of entertainment; and he books an advert in editor Edward Cunningham’s newspaper (played by John Ericson) to promote a two-nights-only gig. In the meantime, Lao goes about investigating which of the sleepy town’s residents could use a bit of a magical pick-me-up.
Lo and behold, Abalone is in desperate need of some wizardry. Cunningham himself is pining over the fetching, young widow Angela Benedict (the heavenly Barbara Eden); and – wouldn’t you know it – her young son Mike (Kevin Tate) could equally use a man around the house to rear the child into eventual manhood. Wealthy and scheming land baron Clint Star (Arthur O’Donnell) has set his sights on buying up everyone’s property at swell prices because he’s secretly learned that the railroad is coming to town next year, a development that’ll increase his fortunes ten-fold if he can seal the deal right out from under the citizens’ feet. This being the Old West, there are naturally a few rough’n’tumble types who could also benefits from Lao’s wisdom; so it’s safe to say that the would-be magician has his hands full.
Bearing in mind this was all most definitely intended to be family-friendly, the antics through 7 Faces are all goofy and a bit slapstick, though Pal arguably tries to up the stakes a bit here and there with some modest visual effects. Lao can snap fire from his fingertips; and with little more than a wave of his hand he can freeze men and women in their tracks. He’ll vanish in a puff of smoke only to reappear (almost instantly) in the guise of one of his other creations, be it the fortune teller Apollonius of Tyana (a rather good performance), Merlin the Magician, or even Medusa, the snake-headed temptress from Greek mythology. Additionally, he dances and plays the pan flute as Pan – the God of Joy – though its actor Cunningham’s face he takes as the merry prancer in order to seduce Mrs. Benedict so she’ll give in to her heartfelt desires.
Might I just add: no one gets the vapors like Barbara Eden. Let’s hope every man can bring that out of their respective soulmates.
Lastly, I’ve read that William Tuttle received an honorary Oscar for his make-up work that literally transformed Randall across the various roles. As one around these days who still appreciates what practical effects work – including prosthetics and the like – can do on screen, I’d strongly recommend those interested in such fare take a gander at 7 Faces. Granted, not all of them measure up, but what Tuttle and his actor accomplished here was undoubtedly deserving of the praise. I’d imagine that even audiences of the day were a bit won over with that delightful exhibition.
7 Faces Of Dr. Lao (1964) was produced by George Pal Productions. DVD distribution (for this particular release) has been handled by the fine folks at the Warner Archive Collection. As for the technical specifications? While I’m no trained video expert, I can still assure readers that the provided sights and sounds – an all-new 4K restoration from the original camera negative – likely are about as good as this one is ever going to get. There are some rather quaint optical effects – along with a few practical ones – and they look about as good as George Pal Productions were doing in the 1960’s. Lastly, if you’re looking for special features? Alas, there are no specific to this picture itself, but the disc does boast a few shorts produced during the era which basically fill a bit of time. There’s also a theatrical trailer, so be thankful for small favors, as they say.
Alas … only Mildly Recommended.
At best, 7 Faces Of Dr. Lao (1964) might be properly categorized as a kid-friendly oddity, its script never really seizing any big opportunities to say anything other than … well … Old West land barons were bad. Still, didn’t we know that already? Otherwise, the film does about everything it possibly can with its (mostly) wholesome charm. Contemporary audiences might – ahem – take issue with Randall’s dated and somewhat stereotypical depiction of a Chinese mystic wandering from town-to-town in pursuit of soothsaying; so it’s best to keep in mind that the mid-60’s were a different time and a different place. No one intended any offense and maybe even all of it was meant to be honorous of Eastern culture.
In the interests of fairness, I’m pleased to disclose that the fine folks at Warner Archive (via Allied Vaughn) provided me with a complimentary Blu-ray of 7 Faces Of Dr. Lao (1964) by request for the expressed purposes of completing this review. Their contribution to me in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion of it.
-- EZ
From the film’s IMDB.com page citation:
“A mysterious circus comes to a western town bearing wonders and characters that entertain the inhabitants and teach valuable lessons.”
For those of you who don’t know the name, George Pal might best be considered either the George Lucas or Steven Spielberg of an earlier generation. Either as a big-time director or producer, the man had his hands in some of the silver screen’s foundational Science Fiction and Fantasy projects. A quick glance at his professional profile will prove his association with such efforts as Destination Moon (1950), When Worlds Collide (1951), The War Of The Worlds (1953), Conquest Of Space (1955), and The Time Machine (1960). I think it’s safe to suggest that – ahem – the quality of his output lessened somewhat in the passage from one decade to the next (not an insult, just an observation) when he turned his eyes from the heavens back down to the Earth. 1961’s Atlantis: The Lost Continent is an interesting take on the mythical end to a fabled land but not much else. 1962’s The Wonderful World Of The Brothers Grimm is said to be ambitious but also a bit ‘long in the tooth’ with its biographical details. And as for 1964’s 7 Faces Of Dr. Lao? Well, that’s what brings us all here today.
Succinctly, one need understand that 7 Faces is the theatrical product of an earlier time wherein not a big hubbub was made over a white man playing roles of foreign descent. Basically, Tony Randall inhabits not one … not two … not three … and you can see where this is going. He embodies an incredible seven different characters – each with their own personality and proclivities – but perhaps it’s the Dr. Lao of the title which might be most concerning. This world-weary traveler has been everywhere and done everything; and, in practice, he weaves a bit of Chinese mysticism – that of his homeland – throughout a great many observations. Randall is most definitely not of Chinese descent, but he capably and respectfully uses his craft – along with a great degree of whimsy – to flesh out this harmless charlatan who seeks to right wrongs where he sees them in practice.
Based on the novel The Circus Of Dr. Lao by Charles G. Finney, screenwriter Charles Beaumont (of The Twilight Zone fame) adapted the tale for director Pal who – much like Lao serves as the ringmaster of a traveling spectacle – presides over these festivities. Arriving in the backwater berg of Abalone, Arizona, the good doctor decides this dwindling populace could use a bit of entertainment; and he books an advert in editor Edward Cunningham’s newspaper (played by John Ericson) to promote a two-nights-only gig. In the meantime, Lao goes about investigating which of the sleepy town’s residents could use a bit of a magical pick-me-up.
Lo and behold, Abalone is in desperate need of some wizardry. Cunningham himself is pining over the fetching, young widow Angela Benedict (the heavenly Barbara Eden); and – wouldn’t you know it – her young son Mike (Kevin Tate) could equally use a man around the house to rear the child into eventual manhood. Wealthy and scheming land baron Clint Star (Arthur O’Donnell) has set his sights on buying up everyone’s property at swell prices because he’s secretly learned that the railroad is coming to town next year, a development that’ll increase his fortunes ten-fold if he can seal the deal right out from under the citizens’ feet. This being the Old West, there are naturally a few rough’n’tumble types who could also benefits from Lao’s wisdom; so it’s safe to say that the would-be magician has his hands full.
Bearing in mind this was all most definitely intended to be family-friendly, the antics through 7 Faces are all goofy and a bit slapstick, though Pal arguably tries to up the stakes a bit here and there with some modest visual effects. Lao can snap fire from his fingertips; and with little more than a wave of his hand he can freeze men and women in their tracks. He’ll vanish in a puff of smoke only to reappear (almost instantly) in the guise of one of his other creations, be it the fortune teller Apollonius of Tyana (a rather good performance), Merlin the Magician, or even Medusa, the snake-headed temptress from Greek mythology. Additionally, he dances and plays the pan flute as Pan – the God of Joy – though its actor Cunningham’s face he takes as the merry prancer in order to seduce Mrs. Benedict so she’ll give in to her heartfelt desires.
Might I just add: no one gets the vapors like Barbara Eden. Let’s hope every man can bring that out of their respective soulmates.
Lastly, I’ve read that William Tuttle received an honorary Oscar for his make-up work that literally transformed Randall across the various roles. As one around these days who still appreciates what practical effects work – including prosthetics and the like – can do on screen, I’d strongly recommend those interested in such fare take a gander at 7 Faces. Granted, not all of them measure up, but what Tuttle and his actor accomplished here was undoubtedly deserving of the praise. I’d imagine that even audiences of the day were a bit won over with that delightful exhibition.
7 Faces Of Dr. Lao (1964) was produced by George Pal Productions. DVD distribution (for this particular release) has been handled by the fine folks at the Warner Archive Collection. As for the technical specifications? While I’m no trained video expert, I can still assure readers that the provided sights and sounds – an all-new 4K restoration from the original camera negative – likely are about as good as this one is ever going to get. There are some rather quaint optical effects – along with a few practical ones – and they look about as good as George Pal Productions were doing in the 1960’s. Lastly, if you’re looking for special features? Alas, there are no specific to this picture itself, but the disc does boast a few shorts produced during the era which basically fill a bit of time. There’s also a theatrical trailer, so be thankful for small favors, as they say.
Alas … only Mildly Recommended.
At best, 7 Faces Of Dr. Lao (1964) might be properly categorized as a kid-friendly oddity, its script never really seizing any big opportunities to say anything other than … well … Old West land barons were bad. Still, didn’t we know that already? Otherwise, the film does about everything it possibly can with its (mostly) wholesome charm. Contemporary audiences might – ahem – take issue with Randall’s dated and somewhat stereotypical depiction of a Chinese mystic wandering from town-to-town in pursuit of soothsaying; so it’s best to keep in mind that the mid-60’s were a different time and a different place. No one intended any offense and maybe even all of it was meant to be honorous of Eastern culture.
In the interests of fairness, I’m pleased to disclose that the fine folks at Warner Archive (via Allied Vaughn) provided me with a complimentary Blu-ray of 7 Faces Of Dr. Lao (1964) by request for the expressed purposes of completing this review. Their contribution to me in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion of it.
-- EZ
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