These suckers will never know what hit ’em! Image: ew.com
One of the most beloved holiday heist capers is the animated television special, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966).
This animated short, developed by Cat in the Hat Productions and MGM Television, was produced and directed by the legendary animator Chuck Jones, in conjunction with author Dr. Seuss (Ted Geisel).
You know the story: A green mountain-dwelling creature, known as The Grinch, lives high above a pink-and-candy-coloured commune called Whoville. Every year, the Whos in Whoville pull out All The Stops to celebrate Christmas.
Alas! Their Grinchly neighbour is exceedingly ill-tempered. In the words of the epic song, he’s “a bad banana with a greasy black peel”, and his heart is “a dead tomato splotched with purple moldy spots.”
So you would not be surprised to learn the Grinch hates Christmas, everything about it, especially the noise, that infernal singing!
What’s to be done? Buy earplugs? No. Travel abroad? No. Build a sound-proof barrier? No, No, No.
He loathes the holiday, so it must be Done Away With. It does not matter that he’s the only one in the area who detests it. Everyone must treat his feelings as paramount.
Then. The Grinch gets a Wonderful, Awful Idea: He will plan a heist.
He will steal Christmas from Whoville.
Planning the heist. Image: fancaps.net
Christmas, as it turns out, is surprisingly easy to steal. Make a couple of cheap costumes, scrounge some big sacks, and plan your visit at night whilst everyone sleeps.
It couldn’t be easier! He leaves nothing behind: presents, decorations, and sleeping children’s candy – it’s all nicked by the Grinch. The perfect crime!
Except.
The Grinch could not know the unintended consequence of his robbery; how his victims would carry on regardless, and how that defiance would cause his unexpected affection towards them.
He also could not foresee the Sense of Urgency that would smack him up the back of the head and seize him with a desperation to save the holiday from himself.
This means, of course, the Wonderful, Awful Idea has failed. But the Grinch has gained a new raison d’être. Building community with his neighbours! Harmony over cantankerousness!
It’s a Brand New Day!
The Whos are not to be defeated. Image: worthpoint.com
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! debuted on December 18, 1966, on CBS television, and the network aired the short every year until 1988, when other networks Took Over.
It was an expensive production that was a year in the making. The CBS budget was $315,000 ($3 million US today), which was Unheard Of for an animated short.
According to Wikipedia, “Approximately 15,000 drawings and cels, 250 background drawings, 4,500 dispensable and unusable character layout drawings, and 1,200 character layout drawings were created for the special.”1
Animator Jones was an Old Hand at this sort of thing. He was, after all, the creator of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and other Looney Tunes characters. The Chuck Jones Virtual Experience website says, “He created over 300 films over a seven-decade career in animation. His films were nominated for 9 Academy Awards (winning 3). He was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Oscar by the Academy in 1996.”2
For the project, Boris Karloff was cast to narrate and provide the voice of the Grinch. (Sound engineers added a gravelly tone to the Grinch’s voice in post-production.) Actor/singer Thurl Ravenscroft (the original voice of Tony the Tiger) was hired to sing the epic ballad, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”.
This short is a product of remarkable vision. The animation style is so unique, it’s timeless, with its psychedelic colours and charming toy-set design of Whoville.
Plus, the Grinch is never terrifying, despite his yellow-and-red eyes and his Nefarious Scheming. Deep down, we all want the Grinch to come to his senses. Can’t he see what great neighbours the Whos are?
How about you? Are you a fan of How the Grinch Stole Christmas?
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! starring Boris Karloff, Thurl Ravenscroft, June Foray. Directed by Chuck Jones & Ben Washam. Written by Irv Spector & Bob Ogle. MGM Television, 1966, Colour, 26 mins.
I Just put on a parents’ Christmas show at my childrens’ school, and of course we had the Grinch in It. And, since there were many actors and I had to assign more roles than expected, we also had the Grinch’s assistents, Gronch and Grunch. It was a huge success!
I love how the animators developed their own style, but also captured the spirit of the book. Even though I liked the book as a kid, my fave was “Green Eggs & Ham”. I sure got a kick out of it, Sam-I-Am.
I love the way you have captured the essence of the short movie in this review. I love the story and watch it every year! I much prefer the original CBS production to the newer live actor version. The original is so much more magical!
I prefer the original, too. The live actor version is very well done, but I guess I’m too nostalgic for this version.
Thank you for stopping by! Hope all is well with you!
I didn’t realize how pricey this animated short was back in the day! It makes sense since it’s an excellent little production! it may be my favorite holiday tradition from childhood, which is why I have never watched the Jim Carrey or Benedict Cumberbatch versions.
After we watched the live action version this year, I got on the computer and found the cartoon version at the library. I realized that I missed my annual watching of it. Good stuff. So good. I love hearing about the hard work it takes to make the old timey animation. It makes me appreciate it even more
I’ve been told I went through a Dr Seuss phase as a kid, but I don’t think the Grinch appeared in the Scottish telly line up. I SO want to check out Karloff in this – I loved him in The Sorcerers which I would recommend you if you like British horror.
Silver Screenings 
I Just put on a parents’ Christmas show at my childrens’ school, and of course we had the Grinch in It. And, since there were many actors and I had to assign more roles than expected, we also had the Grinch’s assistents, Gronch and Grunch. It was a huge success!
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I love it! Grinch assistants, even! Brilliant!
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Not sure if I saw the film. But I read the book many moons ago. In fact, the book possibly is in my house somewhere.
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I love how the animators developed their own style, but also captured the spirit of the book. Even though I liked the book as a kid, my fave was “Green Eggs & Ham”. I sure got a kick out of it, Sam-I-Am.
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I love the way you have captured the essence of the short movie in this review. I love the story and watch it every year! I much prefer the original CBS production to the newer live actor version. The original is so much more magical!
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I prefer the original, too. The live actor version is very well done, but I guess I’m too nostalgic for this version.
Thank you for stopping by! Hope all is well with you!
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Merry Christmas! We’re doing well and we send our love to you and your family.
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Absolutely love How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Stands the test of time indeed. Same with most Dr. Seuss stories.
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So true! Most Dr Seuss stories do indeed stand the test of time. Good point.
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I didn’t realize how pricey this animated short was back in the day! It makes sense since it’s an excellent little production! it may be my favorite holiday tradition from childhood, which is why I have never watched the Jim Carrey or Benedict Cumberbatch versions.
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It’s a surprisingly big budget, isn’t it? But it was money well spent.
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It’s our favourite—we watch it every year😊.
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It’s so well done, and is a classic for a reason. I love the Thurl Ravenscroft sings the theme song – I’m still humming it, weeks later!
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So many people love this little classic. You’ve done a great job dissecting why they do.
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Thanks! This version of the Grinch never gets old, does it?
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After we watched the live action version this year, I got on the computer and found the cartoon version at the library. I realized that I missed my annual watching of it. Good stuff. So good. I love hearing about the hard work it takes to make the old timey animation. It makes me appreciate it even more
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So true! Few shortcuts in the old-school animation process. So glad you were able to watch it this year.
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How do you feel about the Charlie Brown Christmas? I was missing that terrible, and ended up buying the dvd
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It always makes me cry. Yes, I’m that much of a sap.
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Me too
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I have heard of this character but some how never knew the story. Love that Karloff was cast! Thanks for this post!
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Oh Gill, you’ve got to see this one if it’s available in your area. I think you’d get a real kick out of it.
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I’ve been told I went through a Dr Seuss phase as a kid, but I don’t think the Grinch appeared in the Scottish telly line up. I SO want to check out Karloff in this – I loved him in The Sorcerers which I would recommend you if you like British horror.
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