Watch the original version of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Chapter One: The Grinch
The snow-capped mountain of Whoville was a beautiful sight on this cold winter day, but the Grinch was not impressed. He was a green, two-headed monster with a heart so small it could hardly be heard. He had lived atop this mountain for as long as anyone could remember, hating holidays and Christmas in particular. He was a miserable creature and he wanted nothing more than to ruin the holidays for everyone in Whoville.
Today was the day of his plan. He had devised a scheme so devious and diabolical that even his closest allies, the Whos down below, would be powerless to stop it. With the help of his faithful dog, Max, the Grinch had come up with a plan to steal all the presents, decorations, and joy from the Whos.
Chapter Two: Pilfering Presents
That night, when the Whos were sleeping, the Grinch and Max crept out of their cave into the village below. With a few tools and a bit of elbow grease, the pair managed to pilfer most of the presents from the Whos’ homes. As they left each house, the Grinch laughed with glee at the thought of how disappointed the Whos would be when they awoke on Christmas morning.
The Grinch and Max completed their mission without a hitch and returned to the cave in triumph. Now all that was left to do was stay up until dawn and watch the Whoville people realize the gravity of the situation.
Chapter Three: Christmas Day
As predicted, when the Whos awoke on Christmas morning and realized the presents were gone, they were horrified. Yet, the Grinch was not content. He wanted to savor the moment. To that end, he created a giant television screen and broadcasted Christmas morning to the Whos.
The Grinch watched in delight as the Whos’ joy turned to despair. He laughed and laughed as he cried out “Merry Christmas! You’re too late!”
Chapter Four: The Grinch’s Redemption
One by one, the Whos gathered outside the Grinch’s cave and began to sing. The Grinch was shocked as he heard their words of love, kindness, and forgiveness. Despite his best efforts, the Whos still wanted to include the Grinch in the holiday festivities.
Touched by their kindness, the Grinch abandoned his scheme and, with Max by his side, returned all of the presents. In the end, the Grinch realized that Christmas was more about love than presents and that, by being part of the Whos’ festivities, he too could experience joy.
Epilogue
The Grinch became a regular part of the Whos’ Christmas celebrations from then on. He returned every year to give back to the community that had welcomed him so wholeheartedly. To this day, the Grinch will always remember that Christmas spirit of love, and show it to the world each year.
Fade in
EXT. SNOWY STREET – NIGHT
A snowman stands stoically on the corner of a small town street. He patiently waits for a large silhouette to slowly approach him. The snowman nods slowly as the figure comes closer.
The figure is none other than the notorious Grinch, played by Jim Carrey (his face concealed by an over-sized green hood).
Grinch: (speaking to the snowman) I’ll have to get you out of the way, old friend.
He pulls out a small box from the folds of his robe and places it at the feet of the snowman. As the Grinch waves his hand away, the snowman suddenly sprouts to life, dispersing in a shower of snow.
Grinch: That’s more like it.
The Grinch walks away into the darkness.
EXT. WHOVILLE VILLAGE – LATER
The Grinch stands at the entrance to the village, overlooking it with disdain.
Grinch: All this cheerfulness is making me sick.
The Grinch suddenly notices a small figure walking up the path towards him. It is Cindy Lou Who, a young girl no more than 8 years of age, played by (INSERT NAME).
Grinch: Well, what do we have here?
Cindy Lou: (she smiles nervously) Hi there. I’m Cindy Lou Who.
Grinch: (chuckling sinisterly) Well hello there, Cindy Lou Who. What brings you to this neck of the woods?
Cindy Lou: I was just looking for something.
Grinch: And what might that be?
Cindy Lou: Well, I was looking for the person who stole Christmas.
Grinch: (smirks) Fancy that.
Cindy Lou: I heard it was you.
Grinch: (smiling deviously) That’s an awfully bold assumption, young lady.
Cindy Lou: (smiling) So it’s true then? You’re the one who stole Christmas?
Grinch: (shaking his head) I’m afraid not. You see, I’m just the catalyst. The one who’s helping to carry out a plan of much greater proportions.
Cindy Lou: A plan? What plan?
Grinch: (he laughs gleefully) You’ll see soon enough.
INT. GRINCH’S LAIR
The Grinch leads Cindy Lou Who into his subterranean lair. The walls are lined with a variety of bizarre gadgets and gizmos, all of which the Grinch is busily tinkering with.
Grinch: Welcome to my humble abode, Cindy Lou.
Cindy Lou: (she looks around in awe) This is incredible!
Grinch: (smiling) Yes, it is something, isn’t it? Now, what was it you were looking for again?
CINDY LOU: I was wondering if you could tell me how to put a stop to this whole Christmas debacle.
Grinch: (chuckling) Oh yes, I can help you out with that. You see, I’m in the process of constructing a device that will do just that.
CINDY LOU: What kind of device?
Grinch: (smirks) A little something I like to call the Christmas-inator.
CINDY LOU: The Christmas-inator?
Grinch: That’s right. This device is capable of spreading a blanket of absolute darkness over the town, thus eliminating all the cheer of the season.
CINDY LOU: (gasps in surprise) That’s horrible!
Grinch: (smirking) Well, that’s what villains do, dear. Now, if you wouldn’t mind helping me finish up the last few pieces of the Christmas-inator, we can be rid of all this holiday cheer once and for all.
Cindy Lou: (thinking it over) I guess I could help you.
Grinch: (smiling) Excellent. Now, let’s get to work.
EXT. WHOVILLE VILLAGE – DAY
The Grinch, with Cindy Lou by his side, slowly makes his way though the village. The people of Who-ville scurry about in a festive frenzy, preparing for the holiday season.
Grinch: (looking around) All this frivolity is really starting to get on my nerves.
He suddenly stops in front of a large tree set up in the town square.
Grinch: Ah, the perfect place for my Christmas-inator.
He takes out a small remote from his pocket and points it towards the tree. Instantly, the Christmas tree begins to fade away in a swirl of multi-colored snowflakes.
The townspeople look on in horror as their beloved tree disappears.
Grinch: (smiling wickedly) I believe that takes care of that.
Cindy Lou: (stunned) What have you done?
Grinch: (chuckling) I’ve just taken the first step in my plan to rid Who-ville of all holiday cheer.
At that moment, a booming voice interrupts the Grinch. It is the Mayor of Who-ville, played by (INSERT NAME).
Mayor: (angrily) What is the meaning of this, Grinch?
Grinch: (smiling coolly) I’m sorry, Mayor, but it appears I’m responsible for the sudden disappearance of your Christmas tree.
Mayor: (furious) What do you think you’re doing?
Grinch: (grins devilishly) I’m doing what any villain does in a situation such as this: I’m taking away all of your holiday cheer.
EXT. WHOVILLE VILLAGE – LATER
The Grinch has put his Christmas-inator to use, eliminating all signs of Christmas throughout the town. Every street corner, every doorway, and every window has been stripped of its holiday decorations.
The townspeople stand in shock and despair, unable to comprehend what has just occurred.
Mayor: (as he surveys the damage) I can’t believe it… All of our hard work, gone in an instant.
Grinch: (smirks) I’m afraid my Christmas-inator was just too powerful for you, Mayor.
Cindy Lou: (standing up to the Grinch) How could you do such a thing?
Grinch: (smiles) I’m afraid it’s just part of being a villain, Cindy Lou.
The townspeople are about to launch into a scathing tirade when suddenly a loud, booming voice interrupts them. It is the voice of the Who-ville residents’ beloved Santa Claus, played by (INSERT NAME).
Santa: Now, now, there’s no need for fighting.
He turns to the Grinch and winks.
Santa: We can still have a Merry Christmas, right Grinch?
Grinch: (shocked and confused) Well, I…
Santa: Of course we can! (smiles and winks) Why don’t we all come together and have a Christmas feast!
The townspeople, unsure of what to do, look to the Grinch for approval.
Grinch: (smiles) Well, why not?
The townspeople break out into cheers and the festivities begin.
EXT. WHOVILLE VILLAGE – DAY
The townspeople are gathered around a large table, happily enjoying a feast fit for a king. The Grinch, however, looks on in disdain.
Grinch: (sighs) I can’t believe I’m stuck here with all these happy people.
He looks up to find Cindy Lou looking at him with a mixture of pity and admiration.
Cindy Lou: (smiles) Maybe it’s not so bad. After all, it is Christmas.
The Grinch looks at Cindy Lou with a newfound respect, then back at the joyous townspeople.
Grinch: (smiles) Maybe it isn’t so bad.
At that moment, the Grinch notices a group of children dancing around the Christmas tree. His eyes light up with joy and he slowly starts to smile.
Grinch: (smiling) Well, I guess I should get in on the festivities too.
He joins the children, dancing and singing along with them.
The Mayor of Who-ville watches the Grinch in amazement.
Mayor: (smiles) I guess there’s a little Christmas spirit in all of us, even the Grinch.
Fade Out.
