An old Chinese gentleman rides into the town of Abalone, Arizona and changes it forever, as the citizens see themselves reflected in the mirror of Lao’s mysterious circus of mythical beasts.

7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964)
  • Rating: (2,169 votes)
  • Taglines:All Tony - All Terrific! » Bolt the doors! Lock the windows! Dr. Lao's coming to town! »
  • Runtime:100 minutes
  • Director: George Pal
  • Country:USA
  • Actors:
    Dr. Lao / The Abominable Snowman / Merlin the Magician / Apollonius of Tyana / Pan / The Giant Serpent / Medusa / Audience Member
    Tony Randall
    Angela Benedict
    Barbara Eden
    Clint Stark
    Arthur O'Connell
    Ed Cunningham / Transformed Pan
    John Ericson
    Tim Mitchell
    Noah Beery Jr.
    Mrs. Howard Cassin
    Lee Patrick
    Kate Lindquist
    Minerva Urecal
    Luther Lindquist
    John Qualen
    Peter Ramsey
    Frank Kreig
    Mrs. Peter Ramsey
    Peggy Rea
  • Genres:Fantasy, Mystery, Western
  • Producer:
    George Pal
    producer (uncredited)  
  • Plots: An old Chinese gentleman rides into the town of Abalone, Arizona and changes it forever, as the citizens see themselves reflected in the mirror of Lao's mysterious circus of mythical beasts. Written by Edward E. Pringle <pringle@atb.teradyne.com>
7 Faces of Dr. Lao
  • User's comment:Excellent film that turns on a wonderful performance and great makeup by Robert Reynolds (minniemato@hotmail.com)

    Unusually for a Geore Pal film, this movie does not have at its core the special effects, but rather a wonderful performance by Tony Randall (or more accurately, performances) and the makeup, which received the first Oscar (a special one) ever given for makeup. A good cast and script are also plusses. Read the original novella by Charles G. Finney if you can find it-it's well worth tracking down. Recommended.


  • Quotes: Dr. Lao: My specialty is wisdom. Do you know what wisdom is? Mike: No sir. Dr. Lao: Wise answer.
  • Also known as: As 7 Faces do Dr. Lao (Brazil), Der mysteriöse Dr. Lao (West Germany), Dr. Lao hét arca (Hungary - imdb display title), Las siete caras del Dr. Lao (Venezuela), Le cirque du docteur Lao (France), O Misterioso Dr. Lao (Portugal - imdb display title), Seven Faces of Dr. Lao (USA - alternative spelling), The Secret World of Dr. Lao ( - undefined),

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