7 Faces Of Dr Lao (1964)
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.
Bolt the doors! Lock the windows! Dr. Lao's coming to town!
Dr. Lao: My specialty is wisdom. Do you know what wisdom is?
Mike: No sir.
Dr. Lao: Wise answer.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
(Studio)
Tony Randall shaved his head for the role of Dr. Lao. It also made it easier to apply the make-up for the different characters he played. The studio publicity department wanted to photograph Randall getting his head shaved but arrived at the barber too late. They had the make-up artist glue hair back on Randall's head so Randall could pose for photos while getting the hair cut off again.
William Tuttle received an Honorary Academy Award for his make-up work on this movie. It was the first of two Honorary Oscars awarded for make-up - the other one being John Chambers for Planet of the Apes (1968). It was not until 1982 that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decided to create a Best Make-Up category; An American Werewolf in London (1981) was the first film to win the award.
According to an article in "Starlog" magazine it took 11 days to stop-motion animate the segment where all the heads appear on the Loch Ness monster.
Tony Randall appears, sans make-up, as a spectator in the audience at Dr. Lao's second circus show.
Although it is now regarded as a classic fantasy film, this was a box office disappointment when it was first released. It caused a four-year gap before George Pal had his next film in theatres. It also marked that last time that Pal would direct.
Continuity
When the little boy comforts Merlin the Magician, the balloon he is holding appears and disappears depending on whether he is shown from the front or the back.
Factual errors
When Mrs. Cassin goes to visit Apollonius to have her future told, the barker's voice twice states the price as "fifteen cents." However, both the sign and Apollonius himself state the cost as "five cents."
Revealing mistakes
When the Abominable Snowman turns around to walk off the stage just before the circus starts, the hem of the costume's zipper can clearly be seen going down its back.
Crew or equipment visible
When Merlin first appears to Ed outside the tent a pipe at the base of the tent emits a cloud of white smoke so Merlin can "magically" appear. It continues to give several little spurts of smoke after he appears and while he is talking to Ed.