cartoon

How The Grinch Stole Christmas -Museum of the Moving Image

| Mister Kessell

Being that the holidays are right around the corner, I will continue in my yearslong quest to prove that I’m not really a Grinch by sharing with you some photos of a trip I took to the Grinch exhibit (Ironic, isn’t it?) at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, NY.

This post is a follow up to the one I wrote about Thurl Ravenscroft, the previously uncredited singer of the You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.

grinch animation cel 1966 stealing christmas tree star

How The Grinch Stole Christmas! is a 1966 animated TV special directed by legendary animator Chuck Jones. You might know that I am a huge fan of animation and cartooning (I dabble in it myself) so getting to see behind-the-scenes of this production by the co-creator of Bugs Bunny was not to be missed!

TV Guide ad for How The Grinch Stole Christmas 1966
Original Grinch TV Guide ad from December 17th, 1966
Dr Seuss Boris Karloff and Chuck Jones in the studio

The animated special was based on the 1957 children’s book of the same title by Theodor Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss.) pictured above with director Chuck Jones and Boris Karloff, the voice actor who portrayed the Grinch and also did the narration. You might recognize Karloff from his most famous role, as the creature in the 1931 film Frankenstein.

black and white acrylic painting of Boris Karloff as Frankenstein's monster, behind the scenes holding a cup of tea
Just don’t call him Frankie
two grinch pencil sketches
Fantastic rough pencil sketches
grinch in santa hat pencil sketch
maquette sculpture of the grinch in santa claus costume 1966
Looks like there’s gonna be rumble in Whoville tonight!
four framed Grinch animation cels
A wonderful sequence of animation cels
Animation Cel of The Grinch with evil grin
He might look evil, but the Grinch hopes you have a wonderful holiday!

So there you have it! I think you should put this animated special on your watch list this holiday season, I promise it’ll make your heart grow with Christmas spirit!

“And what happened, then? Well, in Whoville they say – that the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day. And then – the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of ten Grinches, plus two!”

Hey there! I’m Mike, an indie artist and writer. Check out my books or my store! Or just peruse my portfolio. Thanks for hanging out!

BATBOY CAPTION CONTEST!

| Mister Kessell

It’s official: I’ve run out of ideas!

That’s why I’m happy to announce the first ever (and possibly last) BATBOY CAPTION CONTEST!

TO ENTER: Come up with an amazing caption and/or some hilarious dialogue for Batboy or his squirrel-friend Merle, POST IT AS A COMMENT and then TAG A FRIEND who you think might appreciate your bizarre sense of humor.

The winner and their friend will each receive a signed copy of my latest book: BATBOY AND THE ART OF SELF-SABOTAGE

The contest will run for one week (starting…now) on Instagram, Twitter and this blog, after which a panel of funny judges will decide which is the most side-splitting, knee-slappingest entry of them all.

By entering the contest, you agree to have your winning caption published on social media and in a future printed Batboy collection (with credit given to you, of course, as the wittiest wordsmith in all the land.)

Good luck. Now get to writing!