7 Faces of Dr. Lao is a 1964 American Metrocolor Western fantasy-comedy film directed by George Pal (his final directorial effort) and starring Tony Randall.

Cunningham displays affection for her, embarrassing her in a visit to the library to research Lao's background, but she suppresses her reciprocal feelings.

When the circus opens, Lao uses his many faces to offer his wisdom, including those of Pan (the god of joy), the Great Serpent, Medusa and the magician Merlin.

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 fish inside it is revealed to be the Loch Ness Monster, which balloons to enormous size when exposed to the open air.

He stops to find three wooden balls, seemingly left for him, which he juggles expertly while summoning the spirit of Lao to observe.

While Randall is also credited as the Abominable Snowman, bodybuilder Péter Pál (son of the film's director) was the uncredited body double.

[6] According to notes on the Leigh Harline soundtrack CD released by Film Score Monthly, Pal's first choice for the role of Dr. Lao was Peter Sellers, who was strongly interested.

[11] Howard Thompson of The New York Times called the film "heavy, thick, pint-sized fantasy, laid on with an anvil.

"[12] In 1974, Pal said 7 Faces of Dr. Lao was the only of his films to lose money at the box office, although it had since recouped its cost through television broadcast rights.

[13] Jim Danforth's model animation of the Loch Ness Monster, the Giant Serpent and Medusa's snake hair were nominated for an Academy Award.