top of page
Search
Writer's picture Untitled Art Gallery

Original Production Animation Drawing of the Grinch from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" 1966


Original Production Animation Drawing of the Grinch from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" 1966
Original Production Animation Drawing of the Grinch from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" 1966

Original production animation drawing in graphite pencil of the Grinch from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" 1966, Chuck Jones Enterprises; Production numbers lower center and numbered 13 lower right; Signed in pencil 'Chuck Jones' with "Copyright 1966 TURNER ENTERTAINMENT CO." lower center; Linda Jones Enterprises seal lower left; With original Linda Jones Certificate of Authenticity; Size - Grinch: 6 1/2 x 7 3/4", Sheet 10 1/2 x 12 1/2"; Unframed. "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch, You really are a heel, You're as cuddly as a cactus, you're as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch, You're a bad banana with a greasy black peel!" - Sung by Thurl Ravenscroft lyrics by Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel


Charles Martin "Chuck" Jones (1912 – 2002) was an American animator, filmmaker, cartoonist, author, artist, and screenwriter; and is best known for his work on the Warner Bros. Cartoons, Looney Tunes, and Merrie Melodies shorts. He wrote, produced, and/or directed many classic animated cartoon shorts, that all of us remember, starring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote, Pepé Le Pew, Porky Pig and many other star Warner Bros. characters.


After his career at Warner Bros. ended in 1962, he started Sib Tower 12 Productions and began producing cartoons for MGM; including a new series of Tom and Jerry shorts. Also at MGM, in collaboration with Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss), he created one of his most famous films; the television adaptation of Dr. Seuss' "How The Grinch Stole Christmas!" Chuck Jones later started his own studio, Chuck Jones Enterprises, where he created several one-shot specials and would periodically work on Looney Tunes related projects. Chuck Jones was nominated for an Academy Award eight times and won three; receiving awards for the cartoons "For Scent-imental Reasons," "So Much for So Little," and "The Dot and the Line." He received an Honorary Academy Award in 1996 for his work in the animation industry. The famous film historian Leonard Maltin praised Jones' work at Warner Bros., MGM, and at Chuck Jones Enterprises. In Jerry Beck's "The 50 Greatest Cartoons," ten of the entries were directed by Jones, with four out of the five top cartoons being Chuck Jones shorts. "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" is a television animated special that was originally aired on CBS on December 18, 1966. The film was directed and co-produced by the legendary animator Chuck Jones. It was based on the Dr. Seuss book of the same name. The film tells the story of the Grinch trying to take away Christmas from the townsfolk of Whoville. Boris Karloff is the voice of both the Grinch and the Narrator, and June Foray is the voice of Cindy Lou Who. Undoubtedly one of the stand out features of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" is the song "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." The lyrics were written by Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel and the music composed by Albert Hague. The singer was not credited in the film, and it was speculated to be either Boris Karloff or Tennessee Ernie Ford; however the true singer was publicly credited to be Thurl Ravenscroft. Ravenscroft is perhaps most known as the voice of Tony the Tiger for "Kellogg's Frosted Flakes," but also did extensive voice over and singing for both Disney films and Disney Park attractions. The soundtrack for "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" won the Grammy Award for Best Album for Children in 1968. The "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" special was shown on TV every Christmas season on CBS from 1966 until 1987, and then it was shown multiple times a year on TNT, followed by Cartoon Network. In 2001, WB added it to it's own annual screening and then in 2006 ABC took over the airings. NBC acquired the rights in 2015 and it's deal with Warner Brothers allows for two broadcasts per season. The continuous television airings followed by home media and online viewing, has made "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" one of the most popular animated films of all time!


This is a spectacular original production animation drawing of the Grinch from the 1966 animated special "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" This drawing is from the scene when the Grinch first arrives in Whoville and says to Max, "This is stop number one," and the Narrator says "The old Grinch Claus hissed." A great image of an eyes and mouth open Grinch (just outside of Cindy Lou Whos's house) as he motions, with his extended left finger, to his dog Max. The Grinch is wearing his Santy Claus suit and has empty sacks slung over his shoulder, and the drawing is hand signed in pencil by Chuck Jones. Included with the drawing is the original Certificate of Authenticity issued by Linda Jones Enterprises; which was founded and run by Chuck Jones's daughter, Linda Jones. This would be a fantastic addition to any animation art collection!


bottom of page