George Pal
Film producer and director George Pal was considered by many enthusiasts of the genre to be the father of contemporary science-fiction film.
In 1939, Pal signed a contract with Paramount and came to Hollywood the next year to produce cartoons and perfect his pioneering techniques with the Puppetoons, for which he received a special Oscar in 1943.
His first live-action film was "The Great Rupert," which featured an animated, stuffed squirrel as the leading actor—opposite Jimmy Durante.
"Destination Moon" followed. That landmark film—earning an Oscar for special effects in 1950—is regarded as the first Hollywood fantasy to lift off into space from a launching pad based on truly scientific speculation.
During his career, Pal wiped out the city of New York with a tidal wave in "When Worlds Collide," leveled much of Los Angeles, including City Hall in "War of the Worlds," brought "Tom Thumb" to life, sent man into the future in "The Time Machine" and painted a portrait of "7 Faces of Dr. Lao."
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Points of interest
Academy Awards
| Year | Category | Work | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | Best Short Subject - Cartoon | Rhythm in the Ranks | Nomination |
| 1942 | Best Short Subject - Cartoon | Tulips Shall Grow | Nomination |
| 1943 | Best Short Subject - Cartoon | The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins | Nomination |
| 1943 | Special Award | Win | |
| 1944 | Best Short Subject - Cartoon | And to Think I Saw It on Mulberry Street | Nomination |
| 1945 | Best Short Subject - Cartoon | Jasper and the Beanstalk | Nomination |
| 1946 | Best Short Subject - Cartoon | John Henry and the Inky Poo | Nomination |
| 1947 | Best Short Subject - Cartoon | Tubby the Tuba | Nomination |
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