A mysterious circus comes to a western town bearing wonders and characters that entertain the inhabitants and teach valuable lessons.
Emmy-winner Tony Randall (from TV ‘s The Odd Couple) plays eight different characters in the movie (in a role originally earmarked for Peter Sellers but blocked by MGM), with the help of Academy Award-winning special visual effects and make-up that earned make-up artist William Tuttle a special Honorary Academy Award for his outstanding make-up achievement.
One of the characters credited to Randall – the Abominable Snowman – was actually director George Pal’s son, Peter, inside the costume.
Randall also only played Pan for the first part of the sequence where he seduces Angela Benedict (Barbara Eden) before true love interest John Ericson donned the makeup.
The growth of a catfish to a full-grown Loch Ness Monster is a highlight of the film. The shot required sections of Dr Lao’s tent to be recreated in miniature and animated using wires to simulate the windstorm in which the action takes place.
The creature’s transformation to a full-size beast was accomplished with a combination of solid clay sculptures interspersed with rubber and wire puppets.
Apart from the lead actors of Randall, Ericson, Arthur O’Connell and the wonderful Barbara Eden, the film is filled with a veritable wealth of character actors including Noah Beery Jr., Royal Dano, Lee Patrick, John Doucette, John Qualen and many others, whose names may not always be familiar, but with faces and performances that enhance any film they are in.
The film was not well-received by critics at the time but has since become something of a cult classic.
Dr Lao/The Abominable Snowman/Merlin the Magician/Apollonius of Tyana/Pan/The Giant Serpent/Medusa
Tony Randall Angela Benedict
Barbara Eden Clint Stark
Arthur O’Connell Ed Cunningham/Transformed Pan
John Ericson Tim Mitchell
Noah Beery Jr. Mrs Howard Cassin
Lee Patrick Kate Lindquist
Minerva Urecal Luther Lindquist
John Qualen Peter Ramsey
Frank Kreig Mrs Peter Ramsey
Peggy Rea George C. George
Eddie Little Sky Carey
Royal Dano Sarah Benedict
Argentina Brunetti Lucas
John Doucette
Emmy-winner Tony Randall (from TV ‘s The Odd Couple) plays eight different characters in the movie (in a role originally earmarked for Peter Sellers but blocked by MGM), with the help of Academy Award-winning special visual effects and make-up that earned make-up artist William Tuttle a special Honorary Academy Award for his outstanding make-up achievement.
The creature’s transformation to a full-size beast was accomplished with a combination of solid clay sculptures interspersed with rubber and wire puppets.
The film was not well-received by critics at the time but has since become something of a cult classic.
Mrs Peter Ramsey
