Walt Disney's How The Grinch Stole Christmas. (1967)
Walt Disney's last production prior to his death in 1966, This animated adaption of Theodor ''Dr. Seuss'' Geisel's 1957 classic children's tale was a collaboration between both Disney and Suess himself and one that Geisel gladly finished following the former's passing. Disney had been in talks with Geisel about the project as far back as 1964, after the success of the Rankin Bass Christmas Special ''Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'' that same year. Geisel had been reluctant to return to Hollywood, following the failure of his first major motion picture outing ''The 5000 Fingers of Dr T'' in 1953, but was ultimately persuaded into the deal by Disney.
Released 10 years after the Book's publication on December 12th 1967, with music, once again, by the Sherman Brothers, the movie sees The Green Tinted, Misanthropic, Cunning, Intelectual and Ill-Tempered Grinch, played by veteran actor George Saunders, plotting to end the Holiday Joy of the Elven-Like Whos of Whoville, by stealing the trappings of Christmas in an Act of revenge for past misunderstandings. Aided by his dog, Max, Played by Phill Harris, who attempts throughout the length of the film to both help and hinder his Master's progress. The Movie is known for giving the Titular villain/hero more of a justification for his scheme and granting more of a Focus on Whoville's residence, with emphasis placed on the Lou Who Family, including youngest Daughter Cindy, her Older Brother Danny and their friends Ray and Marine, (named in honor of Ray Harryhausen, whom Suess worked together with during the war on the Private Snafu series of shorts with Disney and His younger sister, Marine Suess Geisel.) played by Child Actors Pamelyn Ferdin, Bruce Reitherman, Matthew Garber and Denise Nickerson respectively. Of course, the film is most well known for two songs penned by Geisel himself ''You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.'' (sung by Thurl Ravenscroft) and ''Welcome, Christmas.'' as much as for having nearly all dialogue spoken entirely in rhyme, a condition that Geisel insisted upon during production.
While Audiences would start off by despising and even fearing the green-furred hermit anti-hero, as the movie progressed they would soon see the potential good beneath the angry exterior, as the Grinch came to understand the kindness of humanity and the true meaning of Christmas and showing, once again, that love conquers all.
With Narration done by none other than Sebastian Cabot, this movie was a smash hit at the box office, has become known as a holiday classic by many and helped to assure the public that, while Walt was indeed gone, his spirit lived on in his Company. With faith maintained, and Walt's brother Roy now at the helm and thanks in no small part to the success of HTGSC, Disney carried on towards its now-famed Silver Age of animation.