With the recent stellar success of the Ron Howard/Jim Carrey, live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," the fate of the far more charming, entertaining and shorter cartoon version of the same name is up in the air.
Due to its muscular box office performance and inevitable future run on home video and then broadcast TV, it's possible that the film version could supplant the 1966 cartoon as the perennial holiday favorite. One would hope, however, that the success of the film would serve to renew interest in the cartoon short that's been a favorite among kids of all ages ever since its original debut.
Whatever the case, there's no denying that the original adaptation - now on DVD with a host of supplemental features as well as the less popular and lesser known "Horton Hears a Who" short - is a delightful and enjoyable romp.
A more literal translation of Seuss' original work than the Carrey film, the short benefited from the work of director Chuck Jones (the man behind many of the Looney Tunes cartoons), the narration and voicing of the Grinch by Boris Karloff (best known for playing the most recognized version of the Frankenstein monster) and a fun and lively score by composer Albert Hague.
Of course, one can't overlook Seuss' original rhyming tale. Concise, witty and full of fun word play, the story is a tale of redemption and the holiday spirit, and it still works as well today as it did decades ago. The residents of Whoville may not be as fleshed out like they are in the full-length film, but that doesn't really matter as the story is all about the Grinch. Besides, that character's dog - wonderfully envisioned by Jones and his animation crew - nearly steals the show - without any dialogue - and provides for much of the film's cute humor.
Simply put and notwithstanding some technical issues, you can't go wrong with this release, especially with the addition of some decent supplemental materials that only add to the experience. Although the picture and sound aren't up to snuff with that found in more recent releases, that shouldn't detract from this otherwise delightful and joyous holiday favorite.