<Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Chronology </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Followed by </Th> <Td> Halloween Is Grinch Night </Td> </Tr> <P> How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (also known as Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!) is a 1966 Christmas animated television special directed and co-produced by Chuck Jones . It is based on the eponymous children's book by Dr. Seuss, the story of the Grinch trying to take away Christmas from the townsfolk of Whoville below his mountain hideaway . Originally telecast in the United States on CBS on December 18, 1966, it went on to become a perennial holiday special . The special also features the voice of Boris Karloff as the Grinch and the narrator . </P> <P> The Grinch (voiced by Boris Karloff) is the film's main character . He lives in a cave atop Mt . Crumpit, located above the village of Whoville . The Grinch is a surly character with a heart "two sizes too small" who has especially hated Christmas for 53 years . On Christmas Eve, he finally becomes fed up with seeing the decorations and hearing all the music and caroling in the village and wishes he could stop Christmas Day from coming to Whoville . When he sees his dog, Max, with snow all over his face in the shape of a beard, he decides to disguise himself as Santa Claus and steal Christmas . </P>

When was the original grinch who stole christmas made