A method and program that improves the efficiency of menu tree visualization and navigation in graphical user interfaces. Menu items are displayed as call-out shaped objects each made up of a call-out bubble and its leading arm. The leading arm connects the call-out bubble with the higher level menu item, the context-menu reference point or any other reference point on the user-interface screen. Menu lists are displayed as sets of similar-sized call-out shapes, which can be arranged in a variety of ways. A menu item can be selected by selecting either the leading arm or the call-out bubble of a call-out shape. The selection of a menu item through the selection of its leading arm significantly reduces the distance over which the pointer has to be moved for menu tree navigation. This is because the leading arm of each of the call-out shapes in any menu item list is close to the pointer's position immediately following the preceding selection process.