How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (also known as Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!) is a 1966 American animated television special, directed and co-produced by Chuck Jones. It is based on the 1957 children's book of the same name by Dr. Seuss, and tells the story of the Grinch, who tries to ruin Christmas for the townsfolk of Whoville below his mountain hideaway. Originally telecast in the United States on CBS on Sunday, December 18, 1966, it went on to become a perennial holiday special. The special features the voice of Boris Karloff as the Grinch and the narrator. Plot The Grinch is a surly asocial green creature with a heart "two sizes too small" who lives alone in a snowbound cave atop Mt. Crumpit, located above the village of Whoville. He especially hates Christmas and has always been annoyed by the town's Christmas celebrations. One Christmas Eve, he finally decides to stop Christmas Day from coming to Whoville by disguising himself as Santa Claus, his dog Max as a reindeer and, in a reversal of Santa's visit, stealing all presents, decorations, and symbols of Christmas. Once loaded, he plans on dumping the bags of stolen goods. He is noticed by a girl named Cindy Lou Who, but is otherwise undetected. As the Grinch reaches the icey summit of Mt. Crumpit, ready to dump the bags, he discovers that the citizens of Whoville, despite having no gifts or decorations, have gathered in the middle of town to sing as Christmas Day dawns. Realizing that Christmas means more than just material possessions, the Grinch's heart grows three sizes. He saves the sleigh, returns the presents and the other belongings to the Whos, and joins in the town's Christmas celebration, by carving the roast beast, and Max gets the first slice. Voice cast Boris Karloff as the Grinch / Narrator June Foray as Cindy Lou Who Dallas McKennon as Max Thurl Ravenscroft as Singer Credits Produced by Chuck Jones and Ted Geisel Directed by Chuck Jones The Songs: Lyrics by Dr. Seuss Music by Albert Hague Additional Music and Orchestra by Eugene Poddany Production Design: Maurice Noble Animation: Ben Washam, Ken Harris, Lloyd Vaughan, Richard Thompson, Don Towsley, Tom Ray and Philip Roman Layouts: Oscar Dufau and Don Morgan Backgrounds: Philip DeGuard, Bob Inman and Hal Ashmead Graphics: Don Foster Additional Story: Irv Spector and Bob Ogle Co-Director: Ben Washam Editors: