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December 18, 1966: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! First Aired
Dr. Seuss's beloved character comes to life on television
On December 18, 1966, CBS aired the animated TV special How the Grinch Stole Christmas! for the first time, creating an instant holiday classic that has aired annually for nearly 60 years.
Key Facts
Air Date
December 18, 1966
Network
CBS
Runtime
26 minutes
Director
Chuck Jones
Narrator
Boris Karloff
Original Author
Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel)
Book Published
1957
Production Studio
MGM Animation/Visual Arts
Theme Song
You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
Emmy Awards
Outstanding Children's Program
Annual Airings
Every year since 1966
Viewership
Millions annually
About December 18, 1966: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! First Aired
On December 18, 1966, CBS broadcast the animated television special How the Grinch Stole Christmas! for the first time, introducing millions of viewers to the green, grouchy creature who tried to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville.
From Page to Screen
Dr. as a children's book in 1957. He had concerns about how animation would handle his distinctive artistic style and whether a 64-page book could sustain a half-hour program. Dr.
Chuck Jones's Masterful Direction
Chuck Jones brought exceptional artistry and attention to detail to the Grinch special. He studied Dr. Jones's animation in the Grinch special represented television animation at its finest, proving that TV cartoons could match theatrical quality.
Boris Karloff's Iconic Narration
The production cast Boris Karloff as both narrator and the voice of the Grinch, a decision that proved brilliant. Karloff narrated most of the special in rhyming verse taken directly from Dr. Seuss, became one of the most recognizable Christmas songs.
Instant Success and Critical Acclaim
The special won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program. The special achieved something rare in television: it appealed equally to children and adults. Its 26-minute runtime made it perfect for television scheduling and family viewing.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
The success of the 1966 Grinch special transformed Dr. The special's success led to a 2000 live-action film starring Jim Carrey, which became a box office hit, and a 2018 animated film by Illumination Entertainment. These adaptations introduced the Grinch to new generations while the original 1966 special continued airing.
Themes and Message
The special suggests that community, love, and shared joy define the holiday, not consumption. This anti-commercial message resonated in 1966 and remains relevant as holiday shopping grows more frenzied. These themes give the special depth beyond simple entertainment, allowing it to resonate emotionally across ages and cultures.
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Historical Analysis
⚡Historical Significance
- •
The Grinch special proved that animated holiday specials could become perennial traditions.
- •
Chuck Jones brought theatrical animation quality to television for the first time.
- •
The production set standards for faithful literary adaptations that honored source material.
📝Critical Reception
- •
Critics praised the special for maintaining Dr. Seuss's visual style and moral message.
- •
Boris Karloff's casting was considered brilliant for bringing depth to the character.
- •
The Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program validated the special's quality.
🌍Cultural Impact
- •
The phrase his heart grew three sizes entered everyday language.
- •
The Grinch became a universally recognized symbol of Christmas transformation.
- •
The special's anti commercialism message resonates more strongly each passing year.
Before & After
📅Before
Before the Grinch special, animated holiday television was limited to simple shorts and commercials. No animated special had achieved the quality or lasting impact that would follow.
🚀After
After the Grinch's success, animated holiday specials became an industry. Charlie Brown, Rudolph, and Frosty followed, but the Grinch set the standard for quality and remained the most critically acclaimed.
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Did You Know?
•
Boris Karloff, famous for playing Frankenstein's monster, voiced the Grinch and narrated
•
The special has aired every single year since 1966, nearly 60 consecutive years
•
Chuck Jones directed after winning three Academy Awards for other animated shorts
•
Thurl Ravenscroft sang 'You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch' but went uncredited
•
Dr. Seuss wrote new lyrics specifically for the TV special's songs
•
The Grinch's heart grows three sizes, one of pop culture's most famous phrases
⭐
Why It Still Matters Today
•
The special has aired every single year since 1966, nearly 60 consecutive years
•
The Grinch remains one of the most recognizable holiday characters worldwide
•
The anti materialist message continues to resonate in an era of increasing commercialization
•
Multiple film adaptations prove the story's enduring appeal across generations
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Test Your Knowledge
How much do you know? Take this quick quiz to find out!
1. When did the Grinch TV special first air?
2. Who narrated the original Grinch special?
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Original Insights
•
Thurl Ravenscroft sang You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch but went completely uncredited
•
Dr. Seuss personally wrote additional lyrics for the television special's songs
•
The 26 minute runtime was perfect for television but required expanding the 64 page book
Frequently Asked Questions
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! first aired on CBS on December 18, 1966. It was an immediate success and has been broadcast annually every year since, making it one of the longest-running holiday television traditions. The special continues to air on NBC and streams on Peacock and other platforms.
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This article is reviewed by the Pagefacts team.
Editorial Approach:
This article examines how a Frankenstein actor, a Looney Tunes director, and a children's author created the most beloved animated Christmas special ever made.
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