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How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

  • TV Short
  • 19661966
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 26m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
47K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
686
723
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Boris Karloff and Dal McKennon in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer0:17
6 Videos
99 Photos
AnimationShortComedy

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

IMDb RATING
8.4/10
47K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
686
723
  • Directors
    • Chuck Jones
    • Ben Washam
  • Writers
    • Dr. Seuss(book)
    • Irv Spector(additional story)
    • Bob Ogle(additional story)
  • Stars
    • Boris Karloff(voice)
    • Thurl Ravenscroft(voice)
    • June Foray(voice)
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Chuck Jones
    • Ben Washam
  • Writers
    • Dr. Seuss(book)
    • Irv Spector(additional story)
    • Bob Ogle(additional story)
  • Stars
    • Boris Karloff(voice)
    • Thurl Ravenscroft(voice)
    • June Foray(voice)
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 142User reviews
    • 35Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro

    • Videos6

    How The Grinch Stole Christmas: Special Edition (1966)
    Trailer 0:17
    How The Grinch Stole Christmas: Special Edition (1966)
    How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
    Trailer 1:23
    How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
    How The Grinch Stole Christmas: Special Edition (1966)
    Trailer 0:17
    How The Grinch Stole Christmas: Special Edition (1966)
    How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
    Trailer 0:35
    How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
    Holiday Movies and TV Specials That Get You in the Spirit
    Clip 2:06
    Holiday Movies and TV Specials That Get You in the Spirit
    The New Class of Holiday Classics
    Video 2:01
    The New Class of Holiday Classics

    Photos99

    Boris Karloff and Dal McKennon in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
    Boris Karloff in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
    Boris Karloff in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
    Boris Karloff in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
    Boris Karloff and Dal McKennon in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
    June Foray in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
    How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
    June Foray in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
    Boris Karloff and June Foray in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
    Boris Karloff and Dal McKennon in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
    Boris Karloff in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
    Boris Karloff in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Boris Karloff
    Boris Karloff
    • Narratoras Narrator
    • (voice)
    • …
    Thurl Ravenscroft
    • Singer 'You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch'as Singer 'You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch'
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    June Foray
    June Foray
    • Cindy Lou Whoas Cindy Lou Who
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Dal McKennon
    Dal McKennon
    • Maxas Max
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    • Directors
      • Chuck Jones
      • Ben Washam
    • Writers
      • Dr. Seuss(book)
      • Irv Spector(additional story)
      • Bob Ogle(additional story)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Bitter and hateful, the Grinch is irritated at the thought of the nearby village having a happy time celebrating Christmas. So disguised as Santa Claus, with his dog made to look like a reindeer, he raids the village to steal all the Christmas things. The village is sure to have a sad Christmas this year. —Anonymous
    generositychristmas specialchange of heartchristmascompassion76 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The fabled story world of DR. SEUSS comes to television for the first time in this colorful special for the whole family!
    • Genres
      • Animation
      • Short
      • Comedy
      • Family
      • Fantasy
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Thurl Ravenscroft, who sang the song, is best known as the voice of Tony the Tiger in numerous Frosted Flakes TV commercials. Thurl was picked to sing these songs because his voice was an extremely deep bass.
    • Goofs
      When the three chefs are bringing the meal to the table one of their hats keeps switching between white and blue.
    • Quotes

      Narrator: He puzzled and puzzed till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. Maybe Christmas, he thought... doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps... means a little bit more!

    • Crazy credits
      Thurl Ravenscroft received no screen credit for his singing, an oversight Dr. Seuss attempted to rectify by sending letters to every major columnist in America identifying Ravenscroft as the singer on "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch". He is also part of the chorus on the other two songs.
    • Alternate versions
      American network TV prints often eliminate the verse from "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" that begins, "You're a rotter, Mr. Grinch." In addition, a sequence showing the Grinch leering at a little girl with an evil grin is usually deleted.
    • Connections
      Edited into In Search of Dr. Seuss (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Overture
      (1966) (uncredited)
      (includes "Welcome Christmas")
      Music by Albert Hague
      Conducted by Eugene Poddany

    User reviews142

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Perfection.
    It doesn't get any better than this.

    This is, quite possibly, the one perfect Holiday movie. There has never ever been a more wonderful combination of talent than Chuck Jones and Dr. Suess. Only a quick tug on my brow hairs can bring me quicker to tears than the scene where the Grinch learns the truth about Christmas.

    Pure perfection.
    helpful•49
    7
    • La Gremlin
    • Dec 7, 2001

    FAQ1

    • What are the words to Welcome Christmas?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 18, 1966 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
    • Production companies
      • The Cat in the Hat Productions
      • MGM Television
      • MGM Animation/Visual Arts
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      26 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 4:3

    Related news

    ‘Star Trek,’ Dr. Seuss Mashup Dispute Ends After 5-Year Legal Journey
    ‘Star Trek,’ Dr. Seuss Mashup Dispute Ends After 5-Year Legal Journey
    Oct 5The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV

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    Boris Karloff and Dal McKennon in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
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