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Review
Archives
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Today's
Date is:
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7 Faces
of Dr. Lao
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Reviewed
by: |
Rachel
Hughes |
| Genre: |
Sci-
Fi |
| Video: |
Widescreen
and Regular Pan and Scan |
| Audio: |
Dolby
|
| Language: |
English |
| Subtitle: |
English
and French |
| Length: |
1hr
40mins |
| Rating: |
NR |
| Release
Date: |
10-3-00 |
| Studio: |
Warner
Brothers |
| Commentary:
|
None |
| Documentaries:
|
None |
| Featurettes:
|
William
Tuttle: King of the Duplicators |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
Yes |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
Yes |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
None |
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
|
None |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Tony Randall,
Barbara Eden, Arthur O'Connell and John Ericson |
| Screenplay
by: |
Charles Beaumont
based on the novel "The Circus of Dr. Lao" by Charles G. Ginney |
| Produced
by: |
George Pal |
| Directed
By: |
George Pal |
| Music: |
Leigh Harline |
| The
Review: |
7 Faces
of Dr. Lao can be looked at in two different ways. First there
is the movie as a whole. It was released in 1964 and is basically
a morality lesson. Actually it beats you over the head with
that lesson. It is the story of the small Arizona town of Abalone.
It is full of citizens who suffer from greed, vanity, loneliness,
and pettiness. When Dr. Lao brings his mystical circus to town
the townsfolk get a good look at themselves and don't always
like what they see. For today's audience the movie is a bit
slow and ponderous. The film is highly predictable and you know
by the end of the film that everyone gets exactly what they
deserve and once the errors in their ways are pointed out to
them then they will miraculously change for the better and everyone
will live happily ever after. The second way is the performance
of Tony Randall. If you can get past the hokeiness of the story
line, -- and I recommend you try -- you are in for a treat.
Randall is amazing as the Chinese impresario Dr. Lao. Tony Randall
portrays all seven inhabitants of Dr. Lao's circus: Dr. Lao,
Merlin the Magician, Medusa, The Abominable Snowman, Pan, the
serpent, and Apollonius of Tyana. He also makes a brief appearance
as Tony Randall. As you are watching the film you forget that
it is the same man playing all those parts. This is one of Randall's
finest performances. William Tuttle, who won an honorary Academy
Award for his impressive make-up work flawlessly, transforms
Randall from one character to the next. The film also comes
from Director George Pal who is also known for directing such
classics as Time Machine and War of the Worlds. He brings his
distinctive blending of reality and fantasy to this film. Randall's
performance, along with the incredible make-up work of William
Tuttle and fine direction by George Pal make this a must see
film. |
| Image
and Sound |
The film
is fast approaching 40 years and it is evident in this transfer.
The picture is full of scratches and blips that flip around
on the screen. It is not enough to distract from the picture,
however, it just lets you know that this is an old film. Furthermore,
the color fades in and out a bit. Again, it does not detract
from the movie, but it is noticeable. For a film this old the
transfer is acceptable, but is humbled by better transfers from
films jus as old such as North by Northwest. It is disappointing,
but nothing more. The sound came through better than the picture.
The dialogue can all clearly be heard. The soundtrack has a
nice blending of both eastern and western sounds. |
| The
Extras |
The back
of the DVD boasts of a "Behind-The-Scenes Documentary William
Tuttle: King of the Duplicators." This however was quite disappointing.
It was shot in the sixties and features and announcer showing
you around Tuttle's workshop. You get to see how they created
face molds and achieved special looks. However many steps are
skipped, you don't get to see final results, and nothing from
the film is featured. Furthermore with a running time of a scant
eight minutes you can't go into too much depth. The cast and
crew section features notes on Tony Randall and director George
Pal. The section on Awards mentions the honorary Oscar Tuttle
won for his make-up work. Finally there is the theatrical trailer.
If you haven't watched the film yet then skip the trailer because
it gives away every surprise of the movie. |
| Commentary |
None |
| Final
Words: |
Despite
the dated nature of the film people should give this movie a
chance. It has a strong moral message, even though it is a bit
sugary for most contemporary viewers. The strength of this film
rest solely on the magnificent performance of Tony Randall,
direction by George Pal, and the make-up work of William Tuttle.
Unless you are a true fan of the film I would not recommend
purchasing this DVD. However if you are new to the film, then
you should rent it as soon as possible. Randall is definatly
worth the price. |
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