PopSyndicate.com

Dr. Seuss gets the respect he deserves in this collection of cartoons based on his work.

When I saw the upcoming Horton Hears a Who theatrical feature, I cringed. Has Hollywood learned nothing from How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Cat in the Hat? The studios just can’t seem to “get” Dr. Seuss when it comes to full-length films. Thankfully, the same can’t be said for the various animated adaptations of Theodor Geisel (Seuss’s real name)‘s works. Everybody remembers the classic Grinch cartoon with Boris Karloff voicing the holiday party pooper. But there were several other cartoons based on classic Seuss works that aren’t quite as fondly remembered, and while they aren’t on the level of Chuck Jones’ Grinch effort, they sure as heck aren’t Mike Myers as the Cat in the Hat, either.

Warner Brothers has released the 26-minute 1970 television special Horton Hears a Who! on DVD, and while that’s the title to lure in those curious about the newer version, this is actually a nice collection of various Seuss cartoons.

The main attraction, directed by Chuck Jones to follow up his Grinch, concerns Horton, an elephant who one day hears a frantic voice coming from a speck of dust. Turns out this piece of dust is actually the planet on which the Whos reside. Yes, the same Whos from Whoville that the Grinch bedeviled (he even makes a cameo as a member of the town, long since giving up his a-hole ways). The other animals in the jungle believe Horton has gone insane and set out to prove him wrong, first by stealing the dust speck, then caging Horton and threatening to boil the Who planet.

Seuss almost always had a message in his stories, and Horton is no different. Believing in yourself and standing up for others is the message here, and Jones’ work does well to keep that message intact. It stays faithful to Seuss, even though it’s not quite as fun as the Grinch.

There are four other animated Seuss adaptations here. In Butter Battle Book, two competing races, differing only in the fact that one butters their bread butter-side up and the other butter-side down, engage in a weapons race. It’s directed by Ralph Bakshi, and while his sketchy, scratchy style takes some getting used to after the crisp line work in Jones’ cartoon, it’s ultimately more engaging. Daisy-Head Mayzie, about a little girl who sprouts a daisy atop her noggin, is charming. The winner here though is Horton Hatches the Egg, the 1942 Merrie Melodies cartoon starring our good friend Horton, this time tricked by a bird into sitting on her egg while she goes off on vacation. Directed by Chuck Jones’ friend-turned-archnemesis Bob Clampett, it’s the best cartoon on the whole disc.

The main special feature here is a rather annoying featurette made in 1994 in which Kathy Najimy investigates Seuss’ history and is taken on a journey through his life and writings by the Cat in the Hat (Matt Frewer). Even with star power like Robin Williams, Patrick Stewart, and Christopher Lloyd contributing, it’s a mess that neither enlightens nor entertains. The only other extra is a sing-a-long.

Horton Hears a Who! is a must for animation fans, Seuss fans and kids everywhere. Just avoid that “documentary” and everything will be fine. Otherwise, it’s a great little collection that can introduce those unfamiliar with him the fine lunacy and heartfelt messages he gave his work.

3