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Dr. Seuss’ creation, the Grinch, has been stealing Christmas since the release of the children’s story in 1957, followed by the animated television special in 1966. The inspiration for the character came to Seuss while brushing his teeth on December 26th. The TV special was directed by Chuck Jones, who gave the Grinch his famous green hue. Seuss considered it the easiest book of his career to write.
People of all ages look forward to its arrival every year. No, not Santa Claus. It’s the Grinch, that holiday-hating creation from the extravagant mind of Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. The Grinch has been stealing Christmas since the children’s story was released in 1957, followed by the animated television special in 1966. When asked about the inspiration for the hairy, pear-shaped humanoid who lives on a cliff overlooking Whoville, Geisel he admitted in a 1957 interview: “I was brushing my teeth on the morning of last December 26th when I noticed a very Grinch-like expression in the mirror.” Realizing he’s lost the spirit of Christmas, Geisel released his inner Grinch to bring joy to Whos everywhere. He even had a vanity plaque that read “GRINCH.”
Dreaming of a green Christmas:
Dr. Seuss was initially hesitant to approve the TV special, but finally agreed when it was directed by Chuck Jones, with whom he had worked during World War II, making educational cartoons for the US Army. It was Jones who gave the Grinch its famous green hue.
Seuss always said How the Grinch Stole Christmas! it was “the easiest book of my career to write”. Two highlights from the TV special: the iconic song “You’re a bad guy, Mr. Grinch” and the spot-on narration by Boris Karloff.
Lark Dimond-Cates, the author’s stepdaughter, said: “I always thought that the cat (in the hat) was Ted in his good days, and the Grinch was Ted in his bad days.”
