Product Details

• Actors: Boris Karloff, Thurl Ravenscroft, Hans Conried, June Foray, Chuck Jones
• Directors: Chuck Jones, Ben Washam
• Writers: Dr. Seuss, Bob Ogle, Irv Spector
• Producers: Chuck Jones, Dr. Seuss
• Format: NTSC
• Rated: Unrated
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Warner)
• VHS Release Date: April 12, 1995
• Run Time: 48 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (126 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 630196599X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #360,115 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video

This all-time classic now has Horton Hears a Who! on the same video for a great double bill.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
To heck with the kids--this is one of the best holiday presents you can give yourself. Adapted from the children's book by Dr. Seuss, this charming story is one to watch every holiday season. It is just edgy enough to help you forget the more cloying aspects of Christmas, yet it is also sweet enough to remind you of the reason for all that holiday cheer. Animation genius Chuck Jones directed this 1966 television production featuring the voice of Boris Karloff as the mean greenie. Bitter and selfish, the Grinch decides to steal Christmas away from the Whos, the sweet little folk who live at the bottom of his mountain home. When little Cindy Loo Who returns his hateful act with kindness, she melts the old miser's heart. There are many reasons to watch this: inventive wordplay, Karloff's impressive narration, and a very memorable soundtrack. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Horton Hears a Who!
Chuck Jones was chief animator on this lively adaptation of the famous book by Dr. Seuss. The story of a friendly elephant named Horton who discovers--deep inside a daisy--a tiny city called Whoville with tiny, intelligent residents--this film (fleshed out a bit from the source) is strong on character and has striking, appealing visuals. The little folks of Whoville, with their natural air of aristocracy, are a kick, and when they come to see Horton as a hero for his democratic view of all life big and small, the effect is quite touching. This should be a real treat for kids already familiar with the book, and just might inspire those who haven't read it to pick it up. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS IS THE ONE AND ONLY, December 5, 2000

By 

R. Penola (NYC, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! / Horton Hears a Who! [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Forget the hideously overblown film version -- if you want the real thing, buy this double treat and enjoy the Grinch's story the way it was intended to be seen. Boris Karloff's voice lends this wonderfully inspiring story a hint of real menace, and the animation, spare and imaginative, creates an oddly familiar world that is both melancholy and Christmasey -- the perfect combo. The songs have become holiday traditions. The story of the Grinch is as much a mystery of faith and joy as it is an entertaining comedy. You will get the additional family treat of Horton Hears A Who, also an inspiring tale that explores the value of life itself. Dr. Seuss' brilliance with conceptual family entertainment is on clear display in both of these classic stories; you will not be disappointed. Merry Christmas.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Grinch Is Susposed To Be A Pea Green Color Not The Color Of Gulden's Mustard!, October 17, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Dr. Seuss - How the Grinch Stole Christmas/Horton Hears a Who (DVD)

How the Grinch Stole Christmas is one of my favorite Christmas cartoons, I loved it when I was little and I still love it so I bought this DVD and the cartoon is as good as ever except for that fact that for most of the cartoon the Grinch is the wrong color, he starts off with a mustardy yellow color and stays that way for a long time before changing to the correct light yellowish green (pea green color). Someone really goofed that up! If you watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas on the video version or even on TV the Grinch is light yellow-Green so why is he the color of Gulden's Mustard on the DVD? I know it is true that The Grinch was never dark green like depicted on the cover but I do know that he was never the color of Guldens Mustard and was more like a yellowish green, or lime green! BTW: On this DVD there is also a cartoon called Horton Hears a Who which is also based on a Dr. Seuss book. I have read some reviews that claim that they have fixed the color flaws on newer DVDs but I really don't know if those claims are true or not. If I knew for sure that new DVD's have the corrected color of the GrinchI would buy it

48 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accept No Substitutes, November 5, 2003

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dr. Seuss - How the Grinch Stole Christmas/Horton Hears a Who (DVD)

The Grinch, who lives just north of Whoville, is tired of listening to their Christmas celebration each year. But this year, he's going to do something about it. Disguising himself as Santa, he sneaks down into the town to take everything Christmassy, and everything else, from them. But will that stop Christmas from coming? Is he beyond enjoying the season himself?

What can I say; this is a great holiday special. There were only a handful I had to watch every year growing up, and this is one of them. That's extended to my adult Decembers as well. It keeps the story simple, not trying to expand it needlessly like the recent live action movie did. And the songs add to the fun, especially "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." That song alone is worth watching the special for.

This DVD is a great way to own this classic. The picture and sound are good. I can't really tell that much difference in how the Grinch is supposed to look, and to me this is a minor issue anyway. The extras are a mixed bag. The audio commentary isn't that great because it's obvious that they really don't have that much to say. However, the special about the making of the cartoon and the separate interview about writing the songs are both interesting.

This disc also includes another cartoon from a Dr. Seuss book, HORTON HEARS A WHO. I had never seen this special before I bought the disc, but I'm not a fan of it. Not sure why because I like the book. Maybe if I'd seen it as a kid I'd feel differently.

Ultimately, the reason to get this DVD is the classic Christmas special that headlines the disc. Watching it always brings the warm fuzzies of Christmas past for a visit. You can't go wrong getting it.