Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

On December 18, 1966, CBS aired an adaptation of an already classic ten-year-old book by children’s author Dr. Seuss. The 30-minute adaptation starred a former horror star who took his turn at perhaps the most lovable reformed butthead in the history of literature. Since it debuted, How the Grinch Stole Christmas has become an indelible part of the holiday season. It never gets old watching the misunderstood curmudgeon finally learn the true meaning of Christmas. It’s a moral tale that embodies the spirit of the season, without coming close to a Bible (ahem, Peanuts). It’s funny, it’s sweet, and it’s got one of the cutest cartoon dogs ever put on TV. What’s not to love?

1. Dr. Seuss Was Against the Casting of Boris Karloff in the Title Role

The iconic children’s author was worried that Karloff, who had risen to fame in the 1930s playing Universal Pictures’ Frankenstein’s Monster, would be too scary as the Grinch.