Apr 8, 2010

How The Grinch Stole My Heart


Chuck Jones's "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" is a favorite among the Gorals, and its viewing on Christmas Eve has been a family tradition for years. Personally, I think the cartoon is a too-often overlooked Chuck Jones gem.

The short was originally aired on December 18, 1966 on CBS. It was telecast annually until 1987 by CBS until its ownership was acquired by TBS, who still broadcast the cartoon every year. The short has also appeared on Cartoon Network and The WB.

The short was produced by Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios and The Cat in the Hat Productions. I am unable to find a whole lot of information on The Cat in the Hat Productions, like whether or not Dr. Seuss was involved, but what I did find is that the company was formed in 1966, their first short film being "The Grinch." "The Cat in the Hat" was their third film and was not produced until 1971. TCitHP doesn't seem to be around anymore, although I can't confirm that, but one would think this to be true seeing as their last film was "The Hoober-Bloob Highway," made in 1975.

Back to "The Grinch," and for all you cinephiles out there, "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" was narrated by none other than Boris Karloff. Oh, what a silly person to narrate a children's story. Boris Karloff is probably best know for his roles as Frankenstein's Monster in "Frankenstein" and "Bride of Frankenstein," as well as The Mummy in "The Mummy." Surely, "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" added some color and humor to Karloff's dark and macabre resume. A quote:

"uuuuuuuuuunnnnnggghhhhh"
-Boris Karloff as "The Mummy"

Also, the song "Fahoo Forays," sung by the Whos, was written to sound as though it were being sung in Latin. My top secret infiltrators at IMDB tell me that letters were received by MGM from viewers asking for the Latin to English translation. Fooled!


Jim Carrey sucks.

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