‘The Grinch’ – Nice for fans but he’s still on Santa’s naughty list
Being the “Mean One” hasn’t turned out all bad for the hairy, green icon known as The Grinch. Though he may not have cheeks like roses and a nose like a cherry, this bad banana continues to have a successful career with the numerous ways he’s been reinvented over the last 61 years.
This year, the 2000 film version of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Chistmas” celebrates its 20th anniversary with airings Monday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 19, on Freeform. Though it’s hard to imagine anyone but Jim Carrey playing the title character, Eddie Murphy and Jack Nicholson both were considered for the role. The makeup was elaborate, which is why it won an Academy Award for that category. Not since 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz” had film stars, including extras, worn so much heavy stage makeup, which also explains why Carrey underwent counseling for torture-resistance techniques to be able to handle it all.
The classic original 1966 animated version can be viewed Sunday, Dec. 13, on TBS and Saturday on TNT. The Christmas crank was able to come to life with the aid of 17,000 drawings and got his signature green color from animator and director Chuck Jones. Coming in with a budget of more than $300,000, the 26-minute special had to be filled out with scenes that included Max the dog since reading the book aloud only takes 12 minutes. In the days of shows being sold to sponsors, not networks, 25 potential backers turned down the program before support came from the Foundation for Commercial Banks – an unlikely source since The Grinch came to realize that, “Perhaps, Christmas doesn’t come from a store.”