How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a children’s story by Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel written in rhymed verse with illustrations by the author. In 1957 the book was published by Random House, and it also appeared in an issue of Redbook Magazine. The story criticizes the commercialization of Christmas. The 26-minute short directed by cartoon legend Chuck Jones and narrated by Boris Karloff was originally telecast on CBS on December 18, 1966.
The Grinch (voiced by Boris Karloff) is the film’s main character. He lives in a cave atop Mt. Crumpit, located above the village of Whoville. The Grinch is a surly character with a heart “two sizes too small” who has especially hated Christmas and on Christmas Eve, after seeing the decorations and hearing all the music and caroling in the village he wishes he could stop Christmas Day from coming to Whoville. When he sees his dog, Max, with snow all over his face in the shape of a beard, he decides to disguise himself as Santa Claus and steal Christmas.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The Grinch makes himself a Santa coat and hat and disguises the innocent Max as a reindeer. He loads empty bags onto a sleigh and travels to Whoville. He empties the first house of all the food and Christmas-related items, namely presents, trees, mistletoes, and even the stockings on the chimney, then repeats the process at the other houses in Whoville, while also taking the village decorations.
Grinch Steals Christmas
With the Whos’ stolen Christmas goods, the Grinch and Max travel back up Mt. Crumpit it drop the loaded sleigh off the mountain. The Grinch waits to hear a sad cry from the Who’s; instead the Whos joyously begin to sing Christmas carols, proving that the spirit of Christmas does not depend on material things. The Grinch begins to understand the true meaning of Christmas and the stolen treats begin to go over the cliff. While he tries to stop the sleigh from falling off the cliff, his heart grows three sizes—granting him “the strength of TEN Grinches, plus two!”, which he needs to lift up the sleigh. He brings everything back to the Whos and participates in the holiday feast. He is given the honor of carving the roast beast, while Max gets the first slice for himself for all his troubles.
The Grinch Grows A Heart