If you say “beloved holiday film that is controversial”, you have to know that people are talking about one of the versions of The Grinch. The original version premiered in 1966, and has been a Christmas constant ever since. However, many of us are split on how we feel about it. Today I’m sharing the history of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and what my thoughts on them are!
Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Seuss’s much-loved book is given a brilliant film version by the animating genius Chuck Jones. This cartoon, which debuted on CBS television December 18, 1966, is narrated by Boris Karloff with the voice of June Foray as Cindy-Lou Who and Thurl Ravenscroft as the singer of “You’re a Mean One, Mister Grinch.” Albert Hague, a Tony-winning composer, wrote the score. Karloff’s recording of the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas won a Grammy in 1967 for best children’s record. (Encyclopedia, 70)
The History of How the Grinch Stole Christmas
If you are brand-new to The Grinch or are only familiar with the film(s), it is based on one of Dr. Seuss’s storybooks. It was first published in 1957, and instantly popular. Seuss based the character of the Grinch on himself, as he was entirely fed up with the commercialisation of Christmas. Clearly the message resonated when it was published, and continues to today!
My Review of The Grinch
You can’t really discuss The Grinch without discussing all three versions! The original Grinch is truly a holiday classic, and I always make sure to watch it. Much like Frosty the Snowman, it’s a fairly short movie but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The animation is still my standard for holiday films!
The Jim Carrey version of The Grinch is not really my cup of tea. I will watch it if it is on TV but I won’t seek it out- it feels excessively violent in some parts, and lacks the magic of The Grinch. Carrey’s Grinch is un-likeable and I find fairly him un-redeemable.
I know that this is a controversial opinion, but I adore the 2018’s The Grinch with Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role. It adds a bit more meat to a fairly thin story, and builds up the Grinch’s personal story. The music is great, the animation is wonderful, and he is enough of a jerk that there is a redemption arc but not so terrible that he should be entirely ignored. I now start my holiday season on 1 November each year by watching The Grinch! (You can see my favourite scene below)
How do you feel about How the Grinch Stole Christmas?
Cheers,
The Historian
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