The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal
Among the legends of Hollywood, George Pal takes his place as a true visionary, an innovator and 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 eight Academy Awards and left a cinematic legacy that served as formative inspiration for the films of George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Gene Roddenberry. This expanded director's cut collector's edition of "The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal" explores Pal's life and work from his ground-breaking Puppetoon shorts to his sci-fi milestones "The Time Machine" and "The War of the Worlds." Included are rare interviews with Pal and reminiscences from many of Hollywood's brightest stars and great filmmakers, including Ray Bradbury, Tony Curtis, Joe Dante, Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, Russ Tamblyn, Robert Wise and many, many more.
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Last updated: November 11, 2009, 5:55 pm
The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal Customer reviews:
Average Rating: 5.0 Total Reviews: 10
(Sir Squirrel, 2009-10-20) I could not have asked for a better print. The VHS tape arrived in excellent condition as advertised. Thanks for th speedy delivery.
(jimac51, 2006-01-31) First-Thanks to cartoon expert and great guy Jerry Beck for alerting cartoon fans to this box set on his websites. Second-If Amazon is combining the FLIGHTS of FANTASY box with the PUPPETOON MOVIE or THE FANTASTIC FILM WORLD OF GEORGE PAL at a sale price,be forwarned:the FLIGHT OF FANTASY box includes both DVDs along with Pal's first feature film,THE GREAT RUPERT. Others have said nice things here about Pal and the FANTASY FILM WORLD documentary-suffice it to say that without George Pal there would be no STAR WARS,no E.T.,no TOY STORY and a slew of other pop culture icons. My childhood was filled with the works of George Pal and I didn't even know it. From the Puppetoon "Tubby the Tuba" to the live action 1960 film,many a sit on front of the TV on Saturday morning or the movie theater on a Saturday afternoon was filled with the magic of George Pal. My list of children entertainment hereoes would include Walt Disney,Jim Henson,Bob Clampett,Tex Avery,Friz Freleng,Chuck Jones and Max Fleischer. But George Pal might take the crown. He influended my love of music with Tubby and laid the seeds for a positive vision for mankind in his interpretation of H.G. Well's TIME MACHINE. Like the others mentioned above,he never talked down to me as a child and yet his stories resonate with powerful images in my adulthood. I think all of these artists were their own best audience and if they liked what they created,well,the audience came along for the ride. Of particular interest to cartoon fans is The PUPPETOON MOVIE disc in general and the extras in particular. There are 12-count 'em-12 complete and unedited Puppetoons added to the disc,with their original titles where available. Such a feast for the eyes! Some of these were made as one reel commercials for Philips electronic producats(radios and light bulbs)that were shown in European movie theatres during the 1930s. Pity the feature film that followed one of these "commercials",especially if it was a musical. I suspect even Busby Berkeley dropped a jaw at the images that Pal lovingly filled the screen. Colors,sound,movement-all swirl in your head and await another go round. I promise you will watch thiese short films over and over with amazement. George Pal loved his work and had high hope for mankind-not a bad way to go through life. Important lessons to be learned from a shy little tuba.
(Paulo R. C. Barros, 2005-05-09) "The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal" (1985 - 93 minutes), written, produced and directed by Arnold Leibovit, is a spectacular documentary about the life and workmanship of the director George Pal. It presents some very cool testimonies of Rod Taylor, Ray Bradbury, Tony Curtis, Joe Dante, Barbara Eden, Ray Harryhausen, Roy Disney, Charlton Heston, Walter Lantz, Janeth Leigh, Tonny Randall, Gene Roddenberry and Robert Wise. Originally an architect, the Hungarian George Pal (1908-1980) is one of the best references of the fantastic cinema and the animation in stop-motion. Pal became famous in Europe for his advertising films using animation of dolls, technique named by him as "Puppetoons". The first one of them, in 1932, was a great success and showed cigarettes dancing. Running away from the Second World War, the director went to United States where he began to work to Paramount Pictures. He started making a series of short animations and soon he was producing and directing movies, always with his particular touch of fantasy and special effects. During five decades Pal produced and/or directed classics as "War of the Worlds", "Seven Faces of Doctor Lao", "Destination Moon", "The Time Machine", "Conquest of Space", "When Worlds Collide", "Atlantis: The Lost Continent","Sinbad ","Aladdin" and "The Wonderful Worlds of Brothers Grimm". "The Power"(1968) and "Doc Savage"(1975) were his last productions. An indispensable documentary. www.enigmasonline.com/enigmidia
(Alan R. Applegate, 2000-09-21) Whether you are a Sci-Fi fan or not, buy this DVD ! The star line-up of actors, writers, and directors explaining their parts in the various films outlined is worth the price of addmission. You'll be surprised-and perhaps amused-at some of the faces, and the films they worked on. But be warned: You'll want to race right out and buy everyone of George Pal's films after you view this great DVD. Hats off to Arnold Leibovit.
(Ed Turner, 2000-09-17) The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal is truly worlds of wonder! Arnold Leibovit, producer of this marvelous documentary, has done a wonderful job at encapsulating the colorful life and career of producer/director George Pal - from his meager beginnings as a cartoon artist, through his years of creating the stop-motion animated short films, fancifully named "Puppetoons", and into his wonderful works of feature motion pictures. The documentary guides us with affection through Pal's career, by way of interviews with the cast, crew and peers of his films, and includes interviews with Pal himself. His work touches a cord within all of us - the child that lives within and is dazzled by science and fantasy, prophetic visions and flights of fancy. All who have known or worked with him remember Pal with delight - "He was a sweet, sweet man; ...a gentle man.", as Tony Randel puts it when telling of his experience of working with Pal. This was a sentiment felt by all who have had the honor of knowing and working with Pal. This documentary thoroughly captures the whimsy and kind heart of a man who not only was a dreamer, but was one who inspired us to dream. People like George Lucas and Steven Spielberg only stand on Pal's shoulders, and continue the line of imaginative filmmaking which he started. The contemporary term "eye candy" can so easily be applied to this documentary, for it is a treat to see this montage of works by the master that started it all. Thanks George! And thank you Arnold Leibovit, for giving us this special and delightful glimpse into the life and works of a man who will never be forgotten! The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal was obviously a labor of love!