What Is 7 Faces of Dr. Lao About?
The premise of 7 Faces of Dr. Lao in 342 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the heat‑blown plain of Abalone, Arizona, the rhythm of daily life moves as slowly as the wind‑scoured dust that settles on its wooden sidewalks. The town is a portrait of quiet ambition, its residents holding onto modest dreams while the vast desert stretches beyond. Into this unassuming tableau rides a golden donkey bearing an unmistakable figure—Dr. Lao, a charismatic wanderer whose arrival is heralded by a swirling caravan of exotic beasts and a glittering, otherworldly circus.
Edward Cunningham, the town’s newspaper editor, spends mornings polishing headlines and evenings wondering what stories deserve telling. Across the street, Angela Benedict, a widowed librarian and schoolteacher, tends the shelves with a shy tenderness that hides a heart yearning for more. Watching from the edge of prosperity, Clinton Stark, a wealthy rancher with grand designs for the future, measures the town’s possibilities against his own ambitions. Together with the rest of Abalone’s citizens, they are drawn toward the mysterious spectacle Dr. Lao has set up under the open sky.
The circus itself is a kaleidoscope of myth—a troupe of legendary creatures, a magical mirror that ripples like water, and a menagerie of faces that shift from the playful grin of a god of joy to the solemn stare of an ancient seer. Its performances blend song, illusion, and quiet wonder, inviting the audience to glimpse the hidden contours of their own hopes and anxieties. The tone balances the dry humor of a frontier town with the surreal enchantment of a fairy‑tale, creating a world where the ordinary and the uncanny coexist in a delicate dance.
As night falls and lantern light flickers against the desert horizon, the townspeople gather beneath the canvas, unsure whether they are merely observers or participants. Dr. Lao’s presence promises not just entertainment but a chance to look inward, confronting reflections that feel both familiar and strangely altered. The film teeters between light‑hearted spectacle and thought‑provoking meditation, suggesting that true magic may lie in how a brief encounter ripples through a community, reshaping what it means to live, love, and imagine.
What Happens in 7 Faces of Dr. Lao?
The complete story of 7 Faces of Dr. Lao, from the first scene to the last, in 684 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Dr. Lao [Tony Randall] rides a golden donkey into the small town of Abalone, Arizona, and visits Edward Cunningham [John Ericson]’s newspaper to place a large advertisement for his traveling circus, which will perform for two nights only.
Though quiet, Abalone is not peaceful. Wealthy rancher Clinton Stark [Frank Cady] has inside information that a railroad is coming to town and plans to buy the entire town while the land is cheap. Stark arrives at the newspaper offices to confront Cunningham about a recent editorial opposing Stark’s plan, while Lao, waiting to place his ad, silently listens.
Another opponent is Angela Benedict [Barbara Eden], a widow librarian and schoolteacher. Cunningham displays affection for her, embarrassing her in a visit to the library to research Lao’s background, but she suppresses her reciprocal feelings.
At a town hall meeting, Stark announces that the town’s 16-mile-long water-supply pipe is decaying and that a replacement would be prohibitively expensive. He offers to buy the entire town. Arguing against the offer, Cunningham introduces George G. George [Eddie Little Sky], a Navajo Indian who lives nearby in a town whose residents depend on Abalone’s existence. Stark reluctantly allows the townspeople to ponder their choice until the next Friday night.
The next day, Cunningham confronts Lao at the circus site, arguing that Lao’s hometown vanished centuries earlier. The mysterious Lao deflects Cunningham’s questions. Later, Angela’s young son Mike Benedict [Kevin Tate] learns that Lao is 7,321 years old. When the circus opens, Lao uses his many faces to offer his wisdom, including those of Pan [Tony Randall] (the god of joy), the Great Serpent, Medusa and Merlin.
Mike visits Lao seeking a job, displaying his novice juggling and conjuring skills. Lao instead offers observations in the form of a poetic speech about the world, and life, as a circus.
It is learned that on the first night of the circus, Stark’s henchmen destroyed the newspaper office. Angela is kept awake that night, plagued by the music that Pan played while no one else could hear it.
At dawn, the newspapermen are astonished to discover that their office has been fully restored with the press operating. Attributing it to Lao, they rush to produce a short edition of the paper, which Cunningham delivers to Stark in the morning. When he visits the circus site, Lao offers encouragement and calls on Cunningham to keep faith.
That evening, Lao stages his grand finale, a magic lantern show depicting the story of a once-happy kingdom of Woldercan, destroyed by the pettiness and greed of its inhabitants. The Abalone townspeople are at first delighted to see themselves represented in the vision, then chastened as it progresses toward the end of the mythical civilization in explosions and darkness. The townspeople find themselves again in the library in a town meeting. A vote is called on Stark’s proposal, and to the surprise of Cunningham, Benedict and Stark, it is rejected unanimously. Stark tells everyone about the coming railroad and Angela confesses her love to Cunningham.
Stark’s henchmen are confused by his apparent change of character and trash Lao’s circus in a drunken spree, during which they break Dr. Lao’s fishbowl. The fish inside it is revealed to be the Loch Ness Monster, which balloons to enormous size when exposed to the open air. After it chases the two thugs away, Dr. Lao conjures rain to wet the monster and shrink it to its original size.
Morning comes and the circus is gone, with only a red circle on the desert floor where the tent had been. At first Mike’s reports of the previous night are disbelieved, but Stark finds the hat belonging to one of the henchmen. Mike chases a dust plume that seems to him to be the spirit of Dr. Lao. He stops to find three wooden balls, seemingly left for him, which he juggles expertly while summoning the spirit of Lao to observe.
Dr. Lao rides away as his advice from two nights earlier is repeated, reminding Mike that the circus of Dr. Lao is life itself, and that everything within it is a wonder.
7 Faces of Dr. Lao Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
15 key events in the order they happen, from “Dr. Lao arrives in Abalone to announce his two-night circus” to “Dr. Lao rides away with a final life-lesson”. 15 events name a place, across 10 locations.
- 1
Dr. Lao arrives in Abalone to announce his two-night circus
The enigmatic Dr. Lao arrives in Abalone riding a golden donkey and goes straight to Edward Cunningham's newspaper to place a large advertisement for his traveling circus. The ad promises a show for two nights only, igniting curiosity and unease among the town's people. Time/Place: daytime, Abalone, Arizona.
When:Daytime Where:Abalone, Arizona
- 2
Stark confronts Cunningham at the newspaper
Wealthy rancher Clinton Stark arrives at the newspaper offices to challenge Cunningham about an editorial opposing his town-buyout plan. Lao quietly waits nearby, listening as the confrontation unfolds. Time/Place: afternoon, Edward Cunningham's newspaper, Abalone, Arizona.
When:Afternoon Where:Edward Cunningham's newspaper, Abalone, Arizona
- 3
Angela Benedict's hesitation and Cunningham's affection
Cunningham displays warmth toward Angela Benedict during a library visit, embarrassing her in front of others. Angela suppresses her growing feelings, wary of the attention. Time/Place: daytime, Abalone Library.
When:Daytime Where:Abalone Library
- 4
Town hall showdown looms over water and land
At the town hall, Stark claims the town's 16-mile water pipe is decaying and vows that a replacement would be too costly. He offers to buy the entire town, setting the stage for a critical Friday-night vote. Time/Place: evening, Town Hall, Abalone, Arizona.
When:Evening Where:Town Hall, Abalone, Arizona
- 5
Cunningham confronts Lao about his origin
The following day, Cunningham confronts Lao at the circus site, pressing questions about Lao's claimed hometown that vanished centuries ago. Lao deflects the inquiry with practiced diplomacy. Time/Place: daytime, Circus site, Abalone.
When:Daytime Where:Circus site, Abalone
- 6
Mike learns Lao's true age
Angela's young son Mike learns that Lao is 7,321 years old, a revelation that deepens the mystery surrounding the traveler. The knowledge fuels Mike's awe and curiosity about the world. Time/Place: daytime, Abalone.
When:Daytime Where:Abalone
- 7
The circus opens and Lao reveals his many faces
When the circus opens, Lao uses his many faces—Pan, the Great Serpent, Medusa, Merlin—to offer wisdom and wonder. The crowd is enchanted, yet the performances also carry an unsettling edge. Time/Place: opening night, Circus site, Abalone.
When:Evening Where:Circus site, Abalone
- 8
Mike seeks work; Lao speaks in verse
Mike approaches Lao seeking a job, but Lao declines and instead delivers a poetic speech about life and the world as a circus. Mike leaves inspired, absorbing Lao's philosophy. Time/Place: opening night, Circus site, Abalone.
When:Evening Where:Circus site, Abalone
- 9
Destruction of the newspaper; Pan's music awakens Angela
Stark's henchmen destroy the newspaper office on the first night of Lao's show. Angela lies awake as Pan's music plays—a sound she seems to hear but others do not. Time/Place: night, Newspaper office, Abalone.
When:Night Where:Newspaper office, Abalone
- 10
Dawn restoration and fresh edition
At dawn, the newsroom is mysteriously restored and the press runs again. The editors rush a short edition to deliver to Stark, hoping to influence the town's decision. Time/Place: dawn, Newspaper office, Abalone.
When:Dawn Where:Newspaper office, Abalone
Show the other 5 events of 7 Faces of Dr. Lao Hide the last 5 events
- 11
The lantern finale teaches humility
Lao stages a magical lantern show depicting a once-happy kingdom undone by pettiness and greed, ending in explosions and darkness that temper the townspeople's mood. Time/Place: evening, Circus site, Abalone.
When:Evening Where:Circus site, Abalone
- 12
Town hall vote rejects Stark; Angela confesses
Following the vision, the townspeople vote unanimously to reject Stark's offer. In the aftermath, Angela confesses her love to Cunningham, shifting the town's personal dynamics. Time/Place: evening, Town Hall, Abalone.
When:Evening Where:Town Hall, Abalone
- 13
Henchmen trash the circus; the Nessie episode
Stark's henchmen, in a drunken spree, trash Lao's circus and break Dr. Lao's fishbowl. The Loch Ness Monster emerges giant from the broken bowl, but Lao conjures rain to wet and shrink it back to size. Time/Place: night, Circus site, Abalone.
When:Night Where:Circus site, Abalone
- 14
Morning footprints: red circle and clues
Morning reveals only a red circle on the desert floor where the tent once stood. Mike finds one of the henchmen's hats and three wooden juggling balls he uses to summon Lao's spirit and observe the landscape anew. Time/Place: morning, Desert near Abalone.
When:Morning Where:Desert near Abalone
- 15
Dr. Lao rides away with a final life-lesson
Dr. Lao rides away, leaving behind his guiding message that the circus of life is itself a wonder. His parting words echo the idea that everything within the show is a marvel to behold. Time/Place: following morning, desert outskirts of Abalone.
When:Morning Where:Desert outskirts, Abalone
Who Are the Main Characters in 7 Faces of Dr. Lao?
5 characters, among them Dr. Lao, Edward Cunningham and Angela Benedict: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Dr. Lao
Played by Tony Randall
A mysterious, ancient illusionist who arrives with a traveling circus and speaks through multiple faces. He uses parables to challenge the townspeople’s assumptions and to reveal deeper truths about greed, fear, and wonder. His performances transform ordinary life into a reflection on what truly matters.
- 🎭 Fantasy
- 🧭 Wisdom
- EC
Edward Cunningham
Played by John Ericson
The editor of Abalone’s newspaper, initially wary of Lao and protective of the town’s independence. He embodies civic courage and moral steadiness, choosing to confront power with truth and support the community’s capacity to choose its future. His warmth toward Angela hints at a deeper personal stake in Abalone’s fate.
- 🗞️ Newspaper
- 🤝 Civic
- AB
Angela Benedict
Played by Barbara Eden
Widow, librarian, and schoolteacher who anchors the town’s intellectual and social life. She suppresses her flirtation with Cunningham while remaining steadfast in her care for the town and her son. Angela embodies resilience, compassion, and a wary but hopeful vision of communal life.
- 👩🏫 Education
- ❤️ Romance
-
Clinton Stark
Played by Frank Cady
Wealthy rancher with inside information about a forthcoming railroad and a plan to buy the town. He wields money and intimidation to push his agenda, embodying the threat of modernization turned mercenary. His manipulation is challenged as the town chooses its future.
- 💰 Wealth
- 🗽 Power
- MB
Mike Benedict
Played by Kevin Tate
Angela’s young son who finds wonder in Lao and discovers the older, wiser side of life through the circus. He learns about perception and reality as he helps reveal Lao’s age and the magic within ordinary events. Mike’s curiosity drives some of the film’s emotional beats.
- 👦 Curiosity
- 🧸 Wonder
Where and When Is 7 Faces of Dr. Lao Set?
7 Faces of Dr. Lao is set in Abalone and Arizona. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Abalone, Arizona
Abalone is a small desert town in Arizona centered around a local newspaper. It feels quiet but is ripe with tension as a railroad comes to town and a wealthy rancher eyes the land. The town's identity and its water supply become focal points of a debate that pits growth against community values.
- 🏜️ Desert town
- 🗞️ Newspaper town
What Are the Themes of 7 Faces of Dr. Lao?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Greed vs Community, Illusion vs Reality and Change & Modernization.
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01
Greed vs Community
Clinton Stark embodies greed, using his insider knowledge to threaten Abalone's future for profit. The town's vote becomes a test of whether collective well-being can prevail over individual wealth. Lao's parables illuminate the costs of letting money decide the town’s fate. Ultimately, the community's willingness to stand together overrides Stark's plans.
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02
Illusion vs Reality
Dr. Lao's multi-faced performances blur the line between illusion and truth, pushing townspeople to question what they see. The circus imagery invites introspection about appearances, beliefs, and the real meaning of life. Mike's and Angela's reactions reveal how fear and desire can distort judgment. The real magic lies in recognizing what matters beyond spectacle.
-
03
Change & Modernization
The approaching railroad symbolizes progress and disruption threatening Abalone's way of life. The debate over modernization tests the town's resilience and its willingness to adapt without losing its identity. Dr. Lao's lessons suggest that progress should honor wisdom and community needs. The story frames change as an invitation to grow rather than an invasion.
What Kind of Film Is 7 Faces of Dr. Lao?
Whimsical in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Whimsical
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A magical and whimsical journey into a dusty western town, where a mysterious circus offers enchanting wonders and gentle confrontation with personal truths.
- whimsical
- magical
- thought-provoking
- fantastical
- mysterious
- reflective
- self-discovery
- magical realism
- small town
- moral choice
Quiz
How well do you remember 7 Faces of Dr. Lao? Test yourself on the story.
