Movies - Circus of Dr. Lao

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	Movies - Circus of Dr. Lao

Circus of Dr. Lao is a 1935 novel written by Arizona newspaperman Charles G. Finney, and illustrated by Boris Artzybasheff. Set in the fictional town of Abalone, Arizona, it mercilessly satirizes the mindset of ordinary Americans when confronted by examples of magic.

The tale ends with the town becoming the site of a ritual to a pagan god whimsically given the name "Yottle", possibly an allusion to the Mesoamerican god Yaotl, whose name means "the enemy". The ritual ends in death and confusion, scattering the townsfolk to the winds.

The novel was later adapted by Charles Beaumont into the script for an effects-filled 1964 movie 7 Faces of Dr. Lao, directed by George Pál and starring Tony Randall in the title role. Mr. Randall also appears as Pan, Apollonius of Tyana, Merlin and even Medusa. Barbara Eden co-stars as a widowed librarian aroused from her emotional repression by the pipes of Pan. At the film's end the town is redeemed thanks to Lao's visit, instead of being shattered.

A quote from the movie was used in an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000. In Joel Hodgson's last episode as the host (#512, Mitchell), his final message to the 'bots is engraved on a plaque that reads, "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." The 'bots are justifiably confused.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Circus of Dr. Lao ]

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