George Pal

George Pal

Birth : 1908-01-31, Cegléd, Austria-Hungary [now Hungary]

Death : 1980-05-02

History

Hungarian born George Pal (born Gyorgy Pal Marczincsak) was an animator, film director and producer. He is best known for his classic Puppetoon replacement animation short films, as well as his association with the Fantasy and Science Fiction genres. Pal was nominated for Academy Awards (in the category Best Short Subject, Cartoons) in seven consecutive years (1942–1948). He received an honorary Oscar, for the development of novel animation methods and techniques, in 1944.

Profile

George Pal

Movies

Santa Claus und seine Freunde
Director
The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal
Himself
Among the legends of Hollywood, George Pal takes his place as a true visionary, an innovator and a showman who profoundly shaped the art of motion pictures. A peer of Walt Disney, Pal pioneered stop motion animation and went on to virtually invent the modern science fiction and fantasy film genres. Pal's extraordinary genius molded a dazzling array of films, which earned an incredible total of eight Academy Awards and left a cinematic legacy that served as formative inspiration for the movies of George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Gene Roddenberry.
Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze
Producer
In the Fabulous Thirties, Doc Savage and his five Amazing Adventurers are sucked into the mystery of Doc's father disappearing in the wilds of South America. The maniacal Captain Seas tries to thwart them at every turn as they travel to the country of Hidalgo to investigate Doc's father's death and uncover a vast horde of Incan gold.
Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze
Screenplay
In the Fabulous Thirties, Doc Savage and his five Amazing Adventurers are sucked into the mystery of Doc's father disappearing in the wilds of South America. The maniacal Captain Seas tries to thwart them at every turn as they travel to the country of Hidalgo to investigate Doc's father's death and uncover a vast horde of Incan gold.
The Power
Producer
One by one members of a special project team are being killed by telekinesis - the ability to move things with the power of the mind alone. The race is on to determine which of the remaining team members is the murderer and to stop them.
7 Faces of Dr. Lao
Director
An old Chinese man rides into the town of Abalone, Arizona and changes it forever, as the citizens see themselves reflected in the mirror of Lao's mysterious circus of mythical beasts.
The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm
Director
The Grimm brothers Wilhelm and Jacob, known for their literary works in the nineteenth century, have their lives dramatized. Wilhelm fights to write something entertaining amongst the sea of dry, non-fiction books they write and he sets about collecting oral-tradition fairy tales to put into print. Their life story is countered with reenactments of three of their stories including "The Dancing Princess," "The Cobbler and the Elves" and "The Singing Bone."
Atlantis: The Lost Continent
Producer
A Greek Fisherman brings an Atlantean Princess back to her homeland which is the mythical city of Atlantis. He is enslaved for his trouble. The King is being manipulated by an evil sorcerer who is bent on using a natural resource of Atlantis to take over the world. The Atlanteans, or rather the slaves of Atlantis, are forced to mine a crystalline material which absorbs the suns rays. These crystals can then be used for warmth. The misuse of science has created weapons out of the crystals that can fire a heat ray to destroy whatever it touches.
Atlantis: The Lost Continent
Director
A Greek Fisherman brings an Atlantean Princess back to her homeland which is the mythical city of Atlantis. He is enslaved for his trouble. The King is being manipulated by an evil sorcerer who is bent on using a natural resource of Atlantis to take over the world. The Atlanteans, or rather the slaves of Atlantis, are forced to mine a crystalline material which absorbs the suns rays. These crystals can then be used for warmth. The misuse of science has created weapons out of the crystals that can fire a heat ray to destroy whatever it touches.
The Time Machine
Producer
A Victorian Englishman travels to the far future and finds that humanity has divided into two hostile species.
The Time Machine
Director
A Victorian Englishman travels to the far future and finds that humanity has divided into two hostile species.
Tom Thumb
Director
A boy, no bigger than a thumb, manages to outwit two thieves determined to make a fortune from him.
Tom Thumb
Producer
A boy, no bigger than a thumb, manages to outwit two thieves determined to make a fortune from him.
Conquest of Space
Producer
A team of American astronauts leave their space station on the first mission to Mars, but the captain's religious beliefs may get in the way.
The Naked Jungle
Producer
The Leiningen South American cocoa plantation is threatened by a 2-mile-wide, 20-mile-long column of army ants.
The War of the Worlds
Producer
The residents of a small town are excited when a flaming meteor lands in the hills, until they discover it is the first of many transport devices from Mars bringing an army of invaders invincible to any man-made weapon, even the atomic bomb.
The War of the Worlds
Bum #1 Listening to Radio (uncredited)
The residents of a small town are excited when a flaming meteor lands in the hills, until they discover it is the first of many transport devices from Mars bringing an army of invaders invincible to any man-made weapon, even the atomic bomb.
Houdini
Producer
By the early 1900s, the extraordinary Houdini earned an international reputation for his theatrical tricks and daring feats of extrication from shackles, ropes, handcuffs and... Scotland Yard's jails.
When Worlds Collide
Producer
When a group of astronomers calculate a star is on a course to slam into Earth, a few days before, it's accompanying planet will first pass close enough to the Earth to cause havoc on land and sea. They set about building a rocket so a few selected individuals can escape to the planet.
Destination Moon
Producer
Postulates the first manned trip to the moon, happening in the (then) near future, and being funded by a consortium of private backers. Assorted difficulties occur and must be overcome in-flight. Attempted to be realistic, with Robert A. Heinlein providing advice.
The Great Rupert
Producer
Shortly before Christmas, a family moves into an apartment where Rupert the squirrel lives in the attic rafters. Just as it seems that the holiday will come and go without so much as a Christmas tree, Rupert acts as the family's guardian angel - not only saving Christmas, but changing their lives forever.
Rhapsody in Wood
Director
Woody Herman spins a fairy tale about how his Woodchopper Grandpappy Herman chopped the wood necessary to form the clarinet Woody inherited and uses. Grandpappy formed it and put out magical enchanting sounds like the Pied Piper.
Date with Duke
Director
Duke Ellington at the piano conducts a group of puppet perfume bottles playing his "Perfume Suite."
Tubby the Tuba
Producer
In this Puppetoon animated short film (an Academy Award Best Short Subject, Cartoons nominee), Tubby the Tuba is disappointed that his sound limits what he's permitted to do in an orchestra of self-playing instruments that, unlike him, get to play pretty melodies. A chance meeting with a bullfrog changes everything.
Tubby the Tuba
Director
In this Puppetoon animated short film (an Academy Award Best Short Subject, Cartoons nominee), Tubby the Tuba is disappointed that his sound limits what he's permitted to do in an orchestra of self-playing instruments that, unlike him, get to play pretty melodies. A chance meeting with a bullfrog changes everything.
Wilbur the Lion
Director
This George Pal Puppetoon (production number U6-1) has circus veteran Wilbur the Lion retired and returned to the jungle, where the wild life does not appeal to him, so he sets out to be captured by hunters.The hunters are none too good, so Wilbur has to basically capture the hunters, in order to accomplish his goal of returning to civilization.
Shoe Shine Jasper
Director
George Pal shines a shoes while fairy godmother visits him.
Jasper in a Jam
Editor
In this entertaining Puppetoon animated short film, a young boy, Jasper, gets trapped inside a pawnshop at midnight. All the musical instruments come to life and play jazz. A whooping wooden Indian chief self-animates as well, and goes on the warpath.
Jasper in a Jam
Producer
In this entertaining Puppetoon animated short film, a young boy, Jasper, gets trapped inside a pawnshop at midnight. All the musical instruments come to life and play jazz. A whooping wooden Indian chief self-animates as well, and goes on the warpath.
John Henry and the Inky-Poo
Cinematography
In this Puppetoon animated short film (an Academy Award Best Short Subject, Cartoons nominee), legendary American folklore figure John Henry (voice of Rex Ingram) goes to work for the C&O Railroad, which shortly thereafter buys an automatic steel-driving engine, The Inky-Poo. John Henry matches his strength against the engine, saying that any man can beat a machine because a man has a mind. Can he prevail? In 2015 this film, deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant", was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
John Henry and the Inky-Poo
Director
In this Puppetoon animated short film (an Academy Award Best Short Subject, Cartoons nominee), legendary American folklore figure John Henry (voice of Rex Ingram) goes to work for the C&O Railroad, which shortly thereafter buys an automatic steel-driving engine, The Inky-Poo. John Henry matches his strength against the engine, saying that any man can beat a machine because a man has a mind. Can he prevail? In 2015 this film, deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant", was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
Together in the Weather
Script
In this Puppetoon animated short film, Judy, an enticing blonde, lives across the way from Punchy and uses all her feminine wiles to try to snare him.
Together in the Weather
Director
In this Puppetoon animated short film, Judy, an enticing blonde, lives across the way from Punchy and uses all her feminine wiles to try to snare him.
Olio for Jasper
Director
Jasper gets tough with the Scarecrow when the latter tries to steal his yo-yo. The Scarecrow, anxious to have the yo-yo just so Jasper will no longer have the yo-yo, tries a new approach, and tells Jasper the sad story of his poverty-ridden childhood, and he never owned a yo-yo. The more he talks about it, the angrier the Scarecrow becomes, so Jasper runs away, and takes his yo-yo with him.
Prospecting for Petroleum
Producer
All-puppet animation tells the story of how oil is formed through ages of geological change, how it is found, extracted and put to use by man.
My Man Jasper
Director
The Scarecrow and the Crow trick Jasper out of all of his possessions. The Crow reads to the Scarecrow from Jasper's book. The Scarecrow falls asleep and dreams he is on trial for stealing Jasper's property.
Jasper and the Beanstalk
Director
The Scarecrow trades Jasper a handful of beans for his harmonica. Jasper plants the beans and climbs up the resulting beanstalk and, at the top, finds a beautiful girl in a golden cage playing a golden harp. Jasper rescues her from the Scarecrow, brings her down the beanstalk, and spends the rest of his days dancing to the music his girlfriend plays on the harp.
Jasper's Close Shave
Director
A Puppetoon by George Pal.
Jasper's Minstrels
Director
This one features Jasper talking to the Talking Scarecrow. The Scarecrow then tells Jasper in flashback about his show business days. You see many scenes of dancing watermelon men and other minstrel caricatures.
Hot Lips Jasper
Director
Jasper recovers a valuable horn, blows a few licks of "Flight of the Bumble Bee" and becomes a star.
Two-Gun Rusty
Director
In this George Pal Puppetoon short, Rusty dreams of adventure in an old-West setting.
Jasper Tell
Director
A Puppetoon by George Pal.
And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street
Director
1944 animated short film by George Pal, based on the book by Dr. Seuss.
Jasper Goes Hunting
Producer
Jasper is hunting in the jungle with his friend the Scarecrow. Along the way, they run into Bugs Bunny, making a rare cameo in a non-Warner Bros. production.
Jasper Goes Hunting
Director
Jasper is hunting in the jungle with his friend the Scarecrow. Along the way, they run into Bugs Bunny, making a rare cameo in a non-Warner Bros. production.
Package for Jasper
Director
Jasper receives a musical instrument in the mail and plays a few tunes with the scarecrow.
A Hatful of Dreams
Producer
George Pal’s stop motion Puppetoons were peopled with all types of characters. Two of his most popular were a pair of lovestruck kids named Punchy and Judy. Here, down-on-his-luck Punchy obtains a magical straw hat from a plucky talking horse and transforms himself into Aladdin and, with the official permission of DC Comics, Superman. Hoping to impress Judy, Punchy’s delusions of grandeur only land him in jail. The talking horse is a witness at Punchy’s trial and cajoles the judge, arresting Officer Moriarty and members of the jury to test the hat, causing their secret selves to emerge inbound, a hilarious spectacle as their unfettered dreams and desire hold sway.
A Hatful of Dreams
Director
George Pal’s stop motion Puppetoons were peopled with all types of characters. Two of his most popular were a pair of lovestruck kids named Punchy and Judy. Here, down-on-his-luck Punchy obtains a magical straw hat from a plucky talking horse and transforms himself into Aladdin and, with the official permission of DC Comics, Superman. Hoping to impress Judy, Punchy’s delusions of grandeur only land him in jail. The talking horse is a witness at Punchy’s trial and cajoles the judge, arresting Officer Moriarty and members of the jury to test the hat, causing their secret selves to emerge inbound, a hilarious spectacle as their unfettered dreams and desire hold sway.
Good Night, Rusty
Director
A Puppetoon by George Pal.
The Little Broadcast
Director
The Great Maestro gets to conduct more than he can compose himself to. A Puppetoon animated short film.
Jasper's Music Lesson
Director
Jasper and the scarecrow play some piano.
500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins
Director
Bartholomew Cubbins has SO MANY HATS. Every time he removes one in the presence of the King, it is replaced magically with another. This enrages the King, who brings him to trial, and to the ultimate sentence.
Jasper and the Haunted House
Director
Jasper and the Haunted House is another George Pal Puppetoon about a black boy and his troubles. This time, the scarecrow switches a sign that leads Jasper to a haunted house instead of a deacon's place where he brings a pie.
Mr. Strauss Takes a Walk
Director
Mr. Strauss, with the help of the forest animals, composes his greatest waltz.
The Sky Princess
Director
In this Puppetoon, a wicked witch guards a sleeping beauty in her cloud castle; but while she's away a violin-playing prince sails up in his sky-ship.
Jasper and the Watermelons
Director
Jasper's desire for a ripe, red watermelon leads him to fabulous Watermelonland where he meets adventures that lessen his desire for watermelon and increases his wish to be back in the security of his Mammy's arms.
Tulips Shall Grow
Director
In this Puppetoon animated short film (an Academy Award Best Short Subject, Cartoons nominee), a young Dutch couple find their idyllic countryside being overrun by unfeeling, unthinking mechanical men and machines that lay waste to everything in their path. In 1997 this film, deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant," was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
Tulips Shall Grow
Story
In this Puppetoon animated short film (an Academy Award Best Short Subject, Cartoons nominee), a young Dutch couple find their idyllic countryside being overrun by unfeeling, unthinking mechanical men and machines that lay waste to everything in their path. In 1997 this film, deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant," was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
Tulips Shall Grow
Cinematography
In this Puppetoon animated short film (an Academy Award Best Short Subject, Cartoons nominee), a young Dutch couple find their idyllic countryside being overrun by unfeeling, unthinking mechanical men and machines that lay waste to everything in their path. In 1997 this film, deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant," was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
Tulips Shall Grow
Producer
In this Puppetoon animated short film (an Academy Award Best Short Subject, Cartoons nominee), a young Dutch couple find their idyllic countryside being overrun by unfeeling, unthinking mechanical men and machines that lay waste to everything in their path. In 1997 this film, deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant," was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.
Jasper and the Choo-Choo
Director
A Puppetoon by George Pal.
Rhythm in the Ranks
Director
A toy soldier, distracted by a beautiful ice skater, is derelict in his duty and gets discharged. Later, when the screwball army declares war, he lucks into a chance to redeem himself.
The Gay Knighties
Director
A Puppetoon by George Pal.
Hoola Boola
Director
Jim Dandy lands on a tropical island and falls in love with a beautiful maiden. Soon a tribe of cannibals kidnap him. A Puppetoon animated short film.
Dipsy Gypsy
Director
A Puppetoon by George Pal.
Western Daze
Director
A Puppetoon by George Pal.
Philips Cavalcade
Cinematography
In this Puppetoon animated short film, a variety of music styles are heard as, in various locations, characters dance or sing.
Philips Cavalcade
Director
In this Puppetoon animated short film, a variety of music styles are heard as, in various locations, characters dance or sing.
Love on the Range
Director of Photography
Animated cinema advertisement produced for Horlick's by George Pal.
Love on the Range
Director
Animated cinema advertisement produced for Horlick's by George Pal.
De Groote Philips Revue
Director
Puppet animation of Bert Ambrose and His Orchestra performing. A Puppetoon animated short film.
Sky Pirates
Director
A Puppetoon by George Pal
How an Advertising Poster Came About
Director
A Puppetoon by George Pal.
South Sea Sweethearts
Editor
Animated cinema advertisement produced for Horlick's by George Pal.
South Sea Sweethearts
Director of Photography
Animated cinema advertisement produced for Horlick's by George Pal.
South Sea Sweethearts
Executive Producer
Animated cinema advertisement produced for Horlick's by George Pal.
South Sea Sweethearts
Director
Animated cinema advertisement produced for Horlick's by George Pal.
What Ho, She Bumps
Director
The H.M.S. Hopeless engages in a pirate ship battle and becomes the H.M.S. Hopeful.
Rescue Brigade
Director
A Puppetoon by George Pal
Ether Symphony
Director
Ether Symphony is a movie that was filmed in 1936 and directed by George Pal. The movie is a Animation and Short.
Aladdin and the Magic Lamp
Director
George Pal animation short of the fable of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp.
On Parade!
Director
Animated puppet film advertising Horlick's malted milk.
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
Director
A Puppetoon by George Pal
In Lamp Light Land
Director
A Puppetoon by George Pal
The Magic Atlas
Director
In this motion picture short meant to advertise Philips radios, George Pal gives full rein to his sensibilities. As we see orchestras, bands and singers animated from Britain to the far steppes of Russia, we get a very silly view of how music is produced.
The Sleeping Beauty
Director
Centuries ago in the past, the witch, who doesn't like Beauty, puts her to sleep, then flies throughout the castle spreading sleep powder, placing all into slumber. Eventually we flash forward to present time: A young hepcat in a convertible tries awakening Sleeping Beauty, and everyone in the castle, with some Big Band music. Will it work? A Puppetoon animated short film.
The Sleeping Beauty
Producer
Centuries ago in the past, the witch, who doesn't like Beauty, puts her to sleep, then flies throughout the castle spreading sleep powder, placing all into slumber. Eventually we flash forward to present time: A young hepcat in a convertible tries awakening Sleeping Beauty, and everyone in the castle, with some Big Band music. Will it work? A Puppetoon animated short film.
Ship of the Ether
Director
Puppet animation film advertising Philips Radio sets. A ship steers its way to several international radio stations, where characteristic music is heard - France, Vienna, Rome, Hilversum, Beromünster, Munich and Daventry.
Radio Valve Revolution
Director
A Puppetoon by George Pal.
Ein Gang durch die moderne Oberst-Fabrik
Director
Commercial for zigarettes with animated sequences made by George Pal.
Wieviel ist Ihnen Ihre Gesundheit wert?
Director
Short commercial with animated sequences.