A little from George Pal's estate...

[typhooforme]

Not much comes to hand that belonged to George and Zsoka Pal, but I was lucky enough to acquire a few things recently.  Here are a couple-- photos of two of Pal's starring actors--signed to George's wife Zsoka--with nice inscriptions:

From Tony Randall--in makeup for THE SEVEN FACES OF DR. LAO (1964):


And from Russ Tamblyn, as "tom thumb" (1958):

[Monster Bob]

Oh my...these are very nice! 

[typhooforme]

One more thing I just got from the George Pal estate--a model of the Martian war machine (fan made, not used in the movie) which Pal treasured--this model of the war machine had a place of honor in his home on the glass shelves where all his film-related awards stood.  The old WAR OF THE WORLDS book you see standing next to the model is the 1897 serialized copy that belonged to Forry Ackerman.  The paperback lying in front is a 1960s one I've had--well, I guess for 50 years or so!

[Mike Scott]

Very nice! You have a real treasure there, with that Pal owned model!

[Dr Wolfenstein]

You have an amazing collection.Love War of the Worlds and Dr Lao.

[neonnoodle]

Those are great pieces!  George Pal's films are unique among classic fantasy films.  They have a depth of emotion and humanity and warmth that I don't see in other fantasy films of the time.

[typhooforme]

I just ordered a copy of ATLANTIS, THE LOST CONTINENT--haven't seen that one in many years.  Remember it, Rodd?  Getting the war machine makes me need to watch the old WAR OF THE WORLDS again, too.  I mentioned Pal to Ib Melchior recently and he said that he'd known Pal slightly--and that he was a very nice person--and Pal had wanted to collaborate on a movie project with Ib (no specific plans, though, I think), but Pal was called away to work on some other project and they never got together again before Pal passed away.  One wonders what wonders might have resulted from that collaboration!

[typhooforme]

Added another interesting piece to my Pal collection.  This is a call sheet for the filming of THE WAR OF THE WORLDS in 1952--and making it even more cool, listed right below Gene Barry's name is that of Charlie Gemora, the famous ape-suit actor.

Gemora was the martian--he was in the house scene with Ann Robinson in this film, I believe (found a little shot of him being helped into the martian suit--I'll add that, too).

[Mike Scott]

Why is there something about ROAD TO BALI on a call sheet for WOTW?

[Herr Hussmann]

Since both productions were shot for Paramount simultaneously, some of the crew (unit) and/or equipment might have possibly been shared between them.

Wouldn't it be cool if someone unearthed a photo of Hope and Crosby arm and arm with the Martian?

[Mike Scott]

Wouldn't it be cool if someone unearthed a photo of Hope and Crosby arm and arm with the Martian?

Exceedingly!

[typhooforme]

Economy!  Doing a Martian shot in the morning, shooting the Bali kangaroo in the afternoon.  Well, not SHOOTING the kangaroo, but...oh, heck, YOU know what I mean! 

[typhooforme]

Recently acquired: a couple of George Pal's personal awards, from his estate--the silver bowl is from the International Brotherhood of Magicians, for Pal's devotion to and his contributions to the world of magic.  It was handed to Pal by Tony Randall, in costume for his role of Merlin in Pal's THE 7 FACES OF DR LAO:


It has a lot of tarnish (it is only silver-plate) and some dings, but I'm pleased to have it!

And here's a plaque Pal was given in 1977 by the Film Advisory Board Inc., an Award of Excellence, on the 25th anniversary of Pal's film WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE:

[gracebuster]

Robert, that is some damn fine stuff. I am extremely partial to Tony Randall and those two items that went through his hands to the family are just amazing.

[WnewCreatureFeatures]

Wonderful items , espcially like the awards you posted and the Tony Randall connection to the magicians award