In 1935, Charles G. Finney, a newspaperman of Arizona, published his novel, The Circus of Dr. Lao. Set in the fictional town of Abalone, Arizona, it mercilessly satirized the mindset of ordinary Americans when confronted by examples of magic. See also: 1934 in literature, other events of 1935, 1936 in literature, list of years in literature. ... See also Charles Grandison Finney, American evangelist. ...

The tale ends with their town the site of a ritual to a pagan god whimsically given the name "Yottle". This can be none other than the Mesoamerican god Yaotl, whose name means "the enemy". Mesoamerica is the region extending from central Mexico south to the northwestern border of Costa Rica that gave rise to a group of stratified, culturally related agrarian civilizations spanning an approximately 3,000-year period before the European discovery of the New World by Columbus. ...

It was later adapted by Charles Beaumont into the much more salable film script, The Seven Faces of Dr. Lao, directed by George Pal starring Tony Randall in the title role, as well as Pan, Apollonius of Tyana, even Medusa. Barbara Eden stars as a repressed librarian aroused by the pipes of Pan. There was much special effects work in this movie, and the town is not destroyed. Charles Beaumont (January 2, 1929 - February 21, 1967) was a prolific U.S. author of science fiction who frequently wrote for The Twilight Zone TV series. ... George Pál (February 1, 1908 - May 2, 1980) was a Hungarian-born American animator and film producer. ... Tony Randall (February 26, 1920 - May 17, 2004) was an American actor. ... Marble sculpture of Pan copulating with a goat, recovered from Herculaneum Pan (Greek Παν, genitive Πανος) is the Greek god who watches over shepherds and their flocks. ... Apollonius of Tyana ( 2- 98) was a philosopher and mathematician of Greek origin. ... A relatively modern image of Medusa painted by Arnold Böcklin In Greek mythology, Medusa (Μεδουσα Queen), was a monstrous female character whose gaze could turn people to stone. ... Barbara Eden, ca. ...

A quote from the movie was used in an an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000. In Joel Hodgson's last episode as the host (Episode 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.