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Most of us know that there are plenty of Christmas specials
to look forward to every year. For me,
watching the great ones throughout the holiday season is one of my favorite
traditions. In fact, I get a pleasure out
of reviewing any sort of Christmas material whether they’re standalone specials
or Christmas episodes of certain shows.
Basically, Christmas specials are the easiest thing for me to make an MC
Toon Reviews Shorty out of. Now, when it
comes to Christmas specials, there’s a select few of what people consider the
all-time greats. They’re the kinds of
special that first came out when television was first on the rise and we’re
loved enough for millions to tune into them ever since. From what I understand, I have already
covered a couple of them in my Peanuts special reviews and Rankin/Bass special
reviews. For this Shorty, I’m going to
talk about a beloved Christmas special right up there with the best of those
companies. From the incomparable
imagination of Dr. Seuss, this is:
How the Grinch
Stole Christmas!
Told by Boris Karloff
Widely Available on DVD and Blu-Ray
(December 18, 1966)
The works of Dr. Seuss are some of the most popular in
children’s literature. From the fresh
perspective of illustrations to the genius rhyme schemes, it’s no wonder why
they’ve stood the test of time. Some
works introduce kids to reading accompanied by fun-looking visuals. Others are
off-the-wall stories where both the visuals and writing bring an unforgettable
creative and thought-provoking experience.
With How the Grinch Stole
Christmas, this is a story of the latter category, and its
thought-provoking through exploring a common perspective on Christmas.
Around the season, it’s common to see homes, stores, and
other places decked with many decorations, festive music playing, and people rushing
to get big flashy gifts. This is
basically commercialization of Christmas at its most blatant. Though most people seem to find all of this
great fun, myself included, it’s understandable that some can get annoyed and
aggressively overwhelmed with the holiday glamor. This was the basis for Dr. Seuss to write the
story of the Grinch in 1957. According
to my research, while he felt like the Cat in the Hat (which by the way was
originally published in the same year) on good days, he was like the Grinch on
bad days. It’s no wonder that this would
give him the inspiration to write a story about a sheltered creature majorly
bothered by Christmas and the materialistic goods that come with it. In fact, just as the Grinch says he’s put up
with Christmas for 53 years, Dr. Seuss was 53 years old at the time. The main point of the story was so he could
rediscover something about Christmas he lost.
That right there is a very noble goal for the story to take, and it really
shows in the actual material.
The Grinch is easily identifiable with anyone who’s ever been
bothered by Christmas and its commercialism. Really, anyone can get annoyed
by the public making such a big deal over decorations, presents, etc. For that, the most reasonable explanation why the Grinch is like this is just because. There doesn’t need to be a deep tragic backstory. It’s just an inevitable
outcome. The basic trait is all the
motivation the Grinch needs to think that he can stop Christmas all together
just by stealing the materialistic goods from the adjacent town of
Whoville. By the end, just as he’s about
to throw everything away, he realizes that the Whos are just as merry and jolly
for Christmas as ever without their décor and gifts. The truth is, it’s not the amenities that
make Christmas. It’s the feeling of
goodwill, peace, and togetherness that can never be taken. Sure the amenities can help emphasize all
these virtues, but the virtues themselves are still always there, and that’s why there’s a day honoring
them. That’s a very powerful message
that often tends to get overlooked by those overwhelmed by the holiday rush. However, with an old curmudgeon like the
Grinch seeing the true meaning of the season, there’s hope that even the
biggest grouches can get enamored in the spirit. All this value to Christmas and how nothing
can ever destroy it give great reason why it’s one of Dr. Seuss’ most
celebrated stories. Its critical and
commercial success, continuing to go strong to this day, further sells its
impact on literature and holiday staples.
Nine years later however, it would become even more impactful as an
animated special.
Directed by legendary animator, Chuck Jones, the TV special
of The Grinch is a very charming and entertaining take on the already endearing
Christmas classic. The time this special
came out was when several of Dr. Seuss’ works were reimagined as short half-hour
specials. Unlike the current trend of
movies which stretch things out with random subplots, these were straight
forward adaptations of what was originally written. Having Dr. Seuss himself involved certainly
helps. These points are key factors of
why the special works so well with every meaningful statement the story makes
delivered in an efficient and timely manner.
In the process, it shows how well a combination of Seuss’ storytelling
and Chuck Jones’ talents as a director really is. Because of the out-of-the ordinary designs of
the Grinch and the Whos, animation is the only true medium to bring them to
life. As for Jones, one of his strengths
as an animation director is making his characters easily identifiable with
appealing expressions. For that,
whenever the Grinch is annoyed or devious, or when the Whos are happily
merrymaking, you’re easily drawn into what happens. Even the Grinch’s dog Max shows plenty of
personality. Without saying a word, his
simple expressions make his apparent love for Christmas and torment of posing
as the Grinch’s fake reindeer perfectly clear.
You can also feel how much torture the Grinch feels as he mournfully
thinks of the noise of the Whos he has to put up with, as well as the joy as he
goes through his thievery. Even small
interactions from the story like the Grinch’s encounter with Cindy Lou Who has
a lot more emotion and appeal you can’t find in the original book.
It’s not just expressions that show the justice Jones’
direction does for Seuss’ work. Like
in his many classic cartoons, every little
movement is perfectly timed with the music.
In some cases, it works for tone shifts like going from the happy
Christmassy environment of Whoville to the unpleasant one of the Grinch. Timing also goes hand in hand with little
sight gags to illustrate different points.
They include an x-ray showing how small the Grinch’s heart is, or little drums emphasizing him thinking of the noise he has to deal with. The strength of timing comes into play during
the Grinch’s actual plot by venturing down to Whoville to steal the Christmas
amenities.
Different phases of the sled
ride down bring a varying sense of speed and tension. It also brings solid laughs as Max, a small dog,
struggles to pull the heavy sled and messes with the Grinch whenever he's forced into the back.
Then in the houses, the animation of the
Grinch slinking around to take everything in sight lines up perfectly with not
just the music, but also the narration of every specific item. It adds a sense of enjoyment of this whole
plot that one can only feel in animation as opposed to static book
illustrations. In fact, it’s the best
way to depict the idea of a mixed up version of Santa Claus as the Grinch goes to
great lengths to steal gifts instead of give them.
Of course, the appeal of the special wouldn’t be fully
realized without the music. The
background orchestrations do their part to set the mood of the different
locations, and it goes well with the Chuck Jones’ style timing.
However, what really gives this special’s
music a true identity are the songs.
They’re upbeat and catchy staples that define moments and serve as a
passage of time through certain actions.
Plus, with the lyrics written by Dr. Seuss, they’re a good way of
showcasing his ever creative writing talents. “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch” is a particular
highlight for the special. It’s
basically used to describe how bad the Grinch is as he sets out to deliberately
ruin Christmas for everyone and the lengths he’s taking to do it. However, it astounds for how much foul and
bad things go together in a rhyme scheme and catchy melody. It’s a perfect anthem for anyone who goes too
far with their annoyance at Christmas.
Plus, it’s nicely placed to illustrate the time of the Grinch going
through his plan whether he’s making his Santa suit or stealing
everything. The Whos’ songs are also
worth a mention. The opening song as
they set up the decorations defines the commercialism that bothers the
Grinch so much along with more creative rhyme schemes. This one even contains the Dr. Seuss
trademark of having the rhymes work with made-up names for decorations. In typical Dr. Seuss-fashion, you’re so
invested in the fun, there’s no need to ask what much of the lyrics really are.
Then there’s the song they sing as they
“welcome Christmas” while holding hands around the tree. This song appears twice in the special, once
when the Grinch thinks of his problems with Christmas and once when they’re
merry even without decorations and gifts.
It’s a grand wholesome piece filled with Christmas spirit through all
its defining virtues, and a good way to show that for all their
commercializing, they know what it’s all about.
Well, at first it’s only a suggestion.
That said, the fact that they still sing it when left with nothing shows
that they really do know what the holiday is all about. This is why it’s very rewarding that hearing
the song how the Grinch learns the meaning of Christmas. An orchestral playing of that song in the
last moments of the special as the Grinch willingly joins the Whos for a feast
further places it as a holiday perennial.
I always believe that great music is a key component to truly successful
animated works. What we get for The Grinch is no different.
How the
Grinch Stole Christmas is an interesting story with an ingeniously relatable
approach to Christmas and how society views it.
As an animated special, it lends itself to the medium very well with a
respectable approach to Dr. Seuss’s vision, appealing expressions, and
memorable songs. Sometimes it drags with
certain points, but the direction makes it all enjoyable nonetheless. It’s a charming Christmas story with an
endearing message and point of view, thus making it deserving of its iconic
status.
Highly Recommended
That’s it for this ‘Toon
Reviews Shorty. Be sure to stay tuned for more this holiday season. Until then:
Stay Animated Folks,
And Merry CHRISTMAS!
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