Obviously, it nowadays makes us cringe that a white person plays an Asian person. But other than that, "7 Faces of Dr. Lao" has some good life lessons in the same way that "Zorba the Greek" does. Portraying the Old West town of Abalone, where the elderly Chinese titular character (Tony Randall) opens a circus and helps the people discover new strength in themselves to question the authority of their corrupt overlord (Arthur O'Connell), the movie is most impressive. The special effects aren't quite what we in the 21st century are used to, but that really doesn't subtract from the movie's quality. As Dr. Lao reminds us: "The whole world is a circus if you know how to look at it." Oh, and of course Barbara Eden stars, before she became Jeannie. Jeannie would probably say of "7FODL": "Is it not wonderful, master?" It sure is.
Review of 7 Faces of Dr. Lao
