who wrote the book how the grinch stole christmas

With storyboards in hand, Jones pitched the story to more than two dozen potential sponsors-breakfast foods, candy companies, and the like-all without any luck. While A Charlie Brown Christmas found its financier in the form of Coca-Cola, How the Grinch Stole Christmas struggled to find a benefactor. Whereas today’s studios and production companies provide funding for projects of interest, television specials of the past, like A Charlie Brown Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, had to rely on company sponsorship in order to get made. New York World-Telegram & Sun Collection.

Even with Ted Geisel’s approval, the special almost didn’t happen.īy Al Ravenna, World Telegram staff photographer - Library of Congress. However, when Jones personally approached him about making an adaptation, Geisel relented, knowing he could trust Jones and his vision. It was because of their previous working relationship that Ted Geisel agreed to hand over the rights to The Grinch to Chuck Jones.Īfter several unpleasant encounters in relation to his previous film work-including the removal of his name from credits and instances of pirated redistribution-Geisel became notoriously “ anti-Hollywood.” Because of this, he was reluctant to sell the rights to How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Originally classified as for-military-personnel-only, Private Snafu featured a bumbling protagonist who helped illustrate the dos and don’ts of Army safety and security protocols. It was here that Geisel soon found himself working closely with Chuck Jones on an instructional cartoon called Private Snafu. Seuss” Geisel And Chuck Jones previously worked together on Army training videos.ĭuring World War II, Geisel joined the United States Army Air Forces and served as commander of the Animation Department for the First Motion Picture Unit, a unit tasked with creating various training and pro-war propaganda films. Here are 12 facts about the TV special that will surely make your heart grow three sizes this holiday season.

Seuss’s equally famous children’s book by legendary animator Chuck Jones, How the Grinch Stole Christmas first aired more than 50 years ago, on December 18, 1966. For most people, this includes at least one viewing of the 1966 animated classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Each year, millions of Americans welcome the holiday season by tuning into their favorite TV specials.

Who wrote the book how the grinch stole christmas