How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966) (TV)

Directors:

Chuck Jones
Ben Washam (co-director)

Writers:

Dr. Seuss (book)
Irv Spector (additional story) ...
(more)

Release Date:

18 December 1966 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Short | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Musical

Plot:

A grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville.

Plot Keywords:

Christmas | The Grinch | Hermit | Dog | Santa Claus

US TV Schedule:

Tue. Dec. 8	8:30 PM	TOON
Sun. Dec. 13	9:00 PM	TOON

Cast

Boris Karloff	...	Narrator / The Grinch (voice)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
June Foray	...	Cindy Lou Who (voice) (uncredited)
Thurl Ravenscroft	...	Singer (voice) (uncredited)

Directed by
Chuck Jones
Ben Washam		(co-director)

Writing credits
Dr. Seuss		(book)
Irv Spector		(additional story) and
Bob Ogle		(additional story)

Produced by
Chuck Jones	....	producer
Dr. Seuss	....	producer (as Ted Geisel)

Cinematography by
Nick Vasu		(uncredited)

Film Editing by
Lovell Norman
John O. Young		(as John Young)

Production Design by
Maurice Noble

Production Management
Earl Jonas	....	production manager

Art Department
Don Foster	....	graphics

Animation Department
Hal Ashmead	....	background artist
Philip DeGuard	....	background artist
Oscar Dufau	....	layout artist
Ken Harris	....	animator
Robert Inman	....	background artist (as Bob Inman)
Don Morgan	....	layout artist
Tom Ray	....	animator
Phil Roman	....	animator (as Philip Roman)
Richard Thompson	....	animator
Don Towsley	....	animator
Lloyd Vaughan	....	animator

Music Department
Albert Hague	....	composer: songs
Eugene Poddany	....	composer: additional music
Eugene Poddany	....	conductor
Dr. Seuss	....	lyricist

Other crew
Les Goldman	....	production executive

Production Companies

• The Cat in the Hat Productions
• MGM Television

Distributors

• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1966) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1990) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1997) (USA) (DVD) (as MGM/UA Home Video)
• Warner Home Video (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (1999) (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2006) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

26 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Canada:G (Manitoba/Quebec) | USA:TV-G | UK:U | Germany:o.Al. | USA:Unrated

Company:

The Cat in the Hat Productions

Trivia:

After the Grinch's "change of heart", his pupils change from red to blue.

Goofs:

Continuity: The antlers on Max's head keep changing shape during the movie. In particular the number of branches keeps changing from three to two and back.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Narrator: Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot, but the Grinch, who lived just north of Whoville - did not. The Grinch hated Christmas - the whole Christmas season. Now, please don't ask why; no one quite knows the reason. It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. Or it could be that his head wasn't screwed on just right. But I think that the most likely reason of all may have been that his heart was two sizes too small.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Ghost Town (2008)

A Christmas classic

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is the ultimate Christmas tale of greed, bitterness, but the ultimate moral of good and kindness of people. Dr. Suess wrote this fine tale that is read and watched on TV each year during the Christmas season. I think the reason why people love this cartoon so much besides good memories is that fact that we all need a good smile during the holiday season, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas is guaranteed to do that. The story is just so heart warming and also it's very cute and funny. The story has a memorable narration by Boris Karloff, also who sung the nasty grinch song. The story is so much fun to watch how one grinch could take Christmas so bitterly.

Each year down in Whoville, the who's are just getting ready for Christmas, it's always a joy each year to do so. They get presents, make a mighty delicious feast, and sing and dance with each other. But not everyone is so happy, there is a grinch that lives above them and doesn't want to celebrate Christmas one year. Maybe because his heart was just too small that he couldn't have a passion like the who's. But he's gonna steal Christmas along with his puppy, Max. But when he realizes that maybe Christmas might just mean a little bit more, he may have a change of heart.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a must see film for the Christmas season. It's always a joy to watch each year and brings back happy memories of watching it with my family. The Grinch and Max are two of the most memorable characters since Santa Clause, this is such a touching story of how Christmas could be a little bit more than just gifts and dinner, but what it truly is; being with your family and friends and making sure that you are grateful for everything you have. I love this film and I'm sure you will too, I would say rent it, but you'll see it on TNT this Christmas.

10/10