Halloween Is Grinch Night (1977)

A strange wind blows into Whoville, making all the inhabitants stay indoors. They know the wind means the Grinch will be in a foul mood and out to do harm. However, young Eukariah decides to confront the Grinch.

Director:

Gerard Baldwin

Writer:

Dr. Seuss (teleplay)

Stars:

Hans Conried, Hal Smith, Gary Shapiro

Won 1 Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Cast overview:
Hans Conried	...	The Grinch / Narrator (voice)
Hal Smith	...	Josiah (voice)
Gary Shapiro	...	Euchariah (voice)
Irene Tedrow	...	Mariah (voice)
Jack DeLeon	...	Sergeant Samuel McPherson (voice)
Henry Gibson	...	Max (singing voice)

Storyline

The evil Grinch who stole Christmas is back to steal Halloween! It's Grinch night and all over Whoville, a horrible storm has started which gives the Grinch a chance to have some fun. But he's soon foiled by a young boy who's on his way to the Uphamisim.

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Plot Keywords:

surrealism | boy | child | rabbit | dog chases rabbit | 

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Genres:

Animation | Short | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Musical

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the first Dr. Seuss special to have music from Joe Raposo. The music is orchestral, somewhat like Eugene Poddany's music, and unlike Dean Elliott's jazz-themed music.

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Quotes

Grinch: [to Ukaraiah] Out of my way, small Who, I've got better things to do than to spend my time with you on Grinch Night.

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Alternate Versions

This special was released on videotape retitled as "It's Grinch Night!", with a new title card in place of the old title in the credits (a video, not film, edit, of the grinch tapping his foot as the three words appear one at a time on the left) and commercial break bumpers of the Grinch's face removed. (The box mentions the original title in small print to avoid confusion.)

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Connections

Featured in Nostalgia Critic: Top 11 Halloween Guilty Pleasures (2015)

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Soundtracks

What am I Doing Here (Max's Song)
Performed by Henry Gibson

User Reviews

This one's a keeper

Ah, the lesser known Grinch holiday movie. In my family it's always been regarded a classic, kept on a dingy old VHS recorded from TV when I was just a small child. It is truly a bizarre film, much different than it's Christmas counterpart, and probably wouldn't appeal to lots of people. But for me, it is pure DECADENCE. I ADORE it. This is a quality film, undeniably, and anyone who says different, well, it's just not their thing I guess. But really, MAX SINGS!!! Can it get any better than that?? I think not. There's actually quite a bit of singing. As well as fun creepy creature things. I dunno, I'm weird, but I love this movie. It's excellent in a very bizarre way, I can't describe. I'd say it helps to be a bit abnormal yourself, as an indication of whether u may like it or not. Mmmmm yes.

Details

Official Sites:

YouTube - Full TV special

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 October 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Grinch Night

Company Credits

Production Co:

DePatie-Freleng Enterprises (DFE), Dr. Seuss Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

25 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1