A mysterious circus comes to a western town bearing wonders and characters that entertain the inhabitants and teach valuable lessons.A mysterious circus comes to a western town bearing wonders and characters that entertain the inhabitants and teach valuable lessons.A mysterious circus comes to a western town bearing wonders and characters that entertain the inhabitants and teach valuable lessons.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 2 nominations total
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaTony 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.
- GoofsWhen 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.
- Quotes
Apollonius of Tyana: Tomorrow will be like today, and the day after tomorrow will be like the day before yesterday. I see your remaining days as a tedious collection of hours full of useless vanities. You will think no new thoughts. You will forget what little you have known. Older you will become, but not wiser. Stiffer, but not more dignified. Childless you are, and childless you will remain. Of that suppleness you once commanded in your youth, of that strange simplicity which once attracted men to you, neither endures, nor shall you recapture them.
Mrs. Cassin: You're a mean, ugly man!
Apollonius of Tyana: Mirrors are often ugly and mean. When you die, you will be buried and forgotten, and that is all. And for all the good or evil, creation or destruction, your living might have accomplished, you might just as well never have lived at all. I'm sorry, but, you see, it is my curse to tell the absolute truth.
- ConnectionsEdited into The Naked Ape (1973)
- SoundtracksSumer is icumen in
(uncredited)
Traditional 13th century English round
"The world is a circus if you look at it the right way. Every time you pick up a handful of dust, and see not the dust but mystery, a marvel, there in your hand. Every time you stop and think, 'I'm alive. And being alive is fantastic.' Every time such a thing happens, you are part of the circus of Dr. Lao."
Go see this film, but not more than once in a while. Its message can be considered a bit "corny" by today's standards, but still has merit when taken at face value.
Details
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- Also known as
- Seven Faces of Dr. Lao
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- Runtime1 hour 40 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1