Review – The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao

Tony Randal plays most of the faces in this classic piece of George Pal candy corn. The story – strange circus comes to small town and shows the locals the evil that dwells inside them – has been done better since (most notably in Something Wicked This Way Comes, which also had its flaws). Nor can this accurately be described as the high water mark for Pal’s special effects, most of which make only brief and unconvincing appearances. The acting’s mediocre. The script reads like a sentimental melodrama written by a fifth grader. Yet if one can set aside innate resistance to excessive goofiness, it’s hard not to be at least a little charmed by this simple-minded yet good-hearted fantasy romp. Mildly amusing