Born Julius György Märczincsák in Cegled, Austria-Hungary (now Hungary). Set designer with UFA studios before moving in the 1930s to Western Europe, where he produced ingenious short advertising films featuring wire-jointed, stylized puppets. In 1940 Pal moved to Hollywood, where he produced the "Puppetoons" series for Paramount and began directing and/or producing special-effects-oriented features including WAR OF THE WORLDS (1953) and THE TIME MACHINE (1960). Other latter feature credits include tom thumb (1958), ATLANTIS, THE LOST CONTINENT (1961), THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM (1962, fairy tale segments), and 7 FACES OF DR. LAO (1964). Pal received a special Academy Award in 1943 for developing a technique which combined animation with live action.

Nominated for Short Subjects (Cartoons) 1941: RHYTHM IN THE RANKS - Producer at Paramount  Nominated for Short Subjects (Cartoons) 1942: TULIPS SHALL GROW - Producer at Paramount  Nominated for Short Subjects (Cartoons) 1943: THE FIVE HUNDRED HATS OF BARTHOLOMEW CUBBINS - Producer at Paramount  Special Award 1943: For the development of the novel methods and techniques in the production of short subjects known as Puppetoons. Winner presented a Plaque.  Nominated for Short Subjects (Cartoons) 1944: AND TO THINK I SAW IT ON MULBERRY STREET - Producer  Nominated for Short Subjects (Cartoons) 1945: JASPER AND THE BEANSTALK - Producer  Nominated for Short Subjects (Cartoons) 1946: JOHN HENRY AND THE INKY POO - Producer  Nominated for Short Subjects (Cartoons) 1947: TUBBY THE TUBA - Producer 7 nominations, 1 Special Award