The Grinch has stolen Christmas in ink, animation, live action, and animation again. These 120 questions keep each version straight, because Cindy Lou should not have to referee arguments about which backstory belongs where.
Dr. Seuss’s 1957 Book
Q: Who wrote How the Grinch Stole Christmas!?
A: Dr. Seuss, the pen name of Theodor Seuss Geisel.
Q: In what year was the book first published?
A: It was first published in 1957.
Q: What type of book is How the Grinch Stole Christmas!?
A: It is a rhyming illustrated children's book.
Q: Where do the Whos live?
A: They live in Who-ville.
Q: Where does the Grinch live?
A: He lives in a cave on Mount Crumpit above Who-ville.
Q: How far above Who-ville does the Grinch live in the book?
A: His cave is described as three thousand feet up the side of Mount Crumpit.
Q: What is the name of the Grinch's dog?
A: His dog is Max.
Q: How long has the Grinch hated Christmas at the start of the story?
A: He has hated it for fifty-three years.
Q: What three possible reasons does the narrator suggest for the Grinch's hatred?
A: His head may be improperly attached, his shoes may be too tight, or his heart may be too small.
Q: Which explanation does the narrator consider most likely?
A: The narrator thinks the Grinch's heart is two sizes too small.
Q: What Christmas sound especially bothers the Grinch?
A: The joyful noise made by the Whos bothers him.
Q: What Christmas meal does the Grinch imagine the Whos eating?
A: He imagines them feasting on Who-pudding and rare Who-roast beast.
Q: What activity after the feast does the Grinch dread?
A: He dreads the Whos joining hands and singing.
Q: What plan does the Grinch form?
A: He decides to stop Christmas from coming.
Q: How does the Grinch disguise himself?
A: He dresses as Santa Claus.
Q: How does the Grinch disguise Max?
A: He gives Max a single horn to resemble a reindeer.
Q: What does the Grinch use as a sleigh?
A: He uses a ramshackle sled loaded with empty sacks.
Q: Who pulls the Grinch's sleigh?
A: Max pulls it.
Q: When does the Grinch enter Who-ville?
A: He arrives while the Whos are sleeping on Christmas Eve.
Q: How does the Grinch enter the first house?
A: He squeezes down the chimney.
Q: What problem does the chimney give the Grinch?
A: He becomes briefly stuck before forcing his way through.
Q: What does the Grinch take from the Who houses?
A: He takes presents, food, decorations, stockings, and Christmas trees.
Q: Who catches the Grinch at a Christmas tree?
A: Cindy-Lou Who finds him.
Q: How old is Cindy-Lou Who in the book?
A: She is no more than two.
Q: What excuse does the Grinch give Cindy-Lou?
A: He claims a light on the tree will not work and he is taking it to his workshop.
Q: What does the Grinch give Cindy-Lou before sending her back to bed?
A: He gives her a drink of water.
Q: Where does the Grinch take the stolen goods?
A: He carries them toward the top of Mount Crumpit.
Q: What does the Grinch expect to hear on Christmas morning?
A: He expects the Whos to cry.
Q: What does the Grinch hear instead?
A: He hears the Whos singing joyfully.
Q: What realization changes the Grinch?
A: He realizes Christmas may mean more than things bought in stores.
The 1966 Animated Television Special
Q: In what year did the animated television special premiere?
A: It premiered in 1966.
Q: Who directed the 1966 special?
A: Chuck Jones directed it.
Q: Who co-directed the special with Chuck Jones?
A: Ben Washam is credited as co-director.
Q: Who narrated the 1966 special?
A: Boris Karloff narrated it.
Q: Who voiced the Grinch in the 1966 special?
A: Boris Karloff also voiced the Grinch.
Q: Who sang You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch?
A: Thurl Ravenscroft performed the song.
Q: Why was Thurl Ravenscroft's role long misunderstood by some viewers?
A: His name was omitted from the original credits, so many assumed Boris Karloff sang it.
Q: Who wrote the special's songs?
A: Dr. Seuss wrote the lyrics, and Albert Hague composed the music.
Q: Which studio produced the animation?
A: MGM Television's animation operation produced it with The Cat in the Hat Productions.
Q: Which network first aired the special?
A: CBS first aired it.
Q: On what date did the special premiere?
A: It premiered on December 18, 1966.
Q: Which company sponsored the original broadcast?
A: The Foundation for Full Service Banks sponsored it.
Q: What color is the Grinch in the television special?
A: He is green.
Q: What color was the Grinch mainly shown in the original book?
A: He appeared mostly in black, white, and red illustrations rather than green.
Q: Who is often credited with choosing the Grinch's green color?
A: Chuck Jones is credited with making him green for the animated production.
Q: How does Max react when the Grinch shows him the reindeer horn?
A: He looks worried and tries to avoid the assignment.
Q: What happens to Max's antler during the trip?
A: The oversized horn repeatedly droops and creates comic trouble.
Q: What expression does the Grinch make when his plan takes shape?
A: His face stretches into a famously wicked grin.
Q: What song catalogs the Grinch's unpleasant traits?
A: You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.
Q: What musical number describes the Whos' noisy celebration?
A: Trim Up the Tree and Welcome Christmas accompany their preparations and singing.
Q: What does the Grinch remove from the Who refrigerator?
A: He removes the feast food, including Who-pudding and roast beast.
Q: What tiny item does the Grinch leave in a house?
A: He leaves crumbs too small for even a mouse.
Q: What does the Grinch do with the fireplace log?
A: He takes it along with the other Christmas items.
Q: What does Cindy Lou ask the disguised Grinch?
A: She asks why he is taking their Christmas tree.
Q: How does the Grinch imitate Santa for Cindy Lou?
A: He invents a repair story and speaks gently enough to fool her.
Q: What threatens the loaded sleigh near Mount Crumpit's summit?
A: Its weight pulls it toward the edge of a cliff.
Q: How much does the Grinch's heart grow?
A: It grows three sizes.
Q: What new strength follows the Grinch's change of heart?
A: He gains the strength of ten Grinches, plus two.
Q: What does the Grinch do after saving the sleigh?
A: He returns everything to Who-ville.
Q: What honor does the Grinch receive at the feast?
A: He carves the roast beast.
The 2000 Live-Action Movie
Q: Who plays the Grinch in the 2000 live-action movie?
A: Jim Carrey plays him.
Q: Who directed the 2000 movie?
A: Ron Howard directed it.
Q: Who narrates the 2000 movie?
A: Anthony Hopkins narrates it.
Q: Who plays young Cindy Lou Who?
A: Taylor Momsen plays her.
Q: What is Cindy Lou's age in the 2000 movie?
A: She is six years old.
Q: Who plays Mayor Augustus MayWho?
A: Jeffrey Tambor plays him.
Q: Who plays Martha May Whovier?
A: Christine Baranski plays her.
Q: Who plays Lou Lou Who, Cindy Lou's father?
A: Bill Irwin plays him.
Q: Who plays Betty Lou Who, Cindy Lou's mother?
A: Molly Shannon plays her.
Q: Who plays the Grinch as a child?
A: Josh Ryan Evans plays young Grinch.
Q: What event from childhood helps explain this Grinch's resentment?
A: Classmates mock his beard and romantic feelings during a school Christmas party.
Q: Who bullies young Grinch at school?
A: Augustus MayWho leads the teasing.
Q: For whom does young Grinch make a Christmas gift?
A: He makes an angel for Martha May Whovier.
Q: What does young Grinch do after classmates laugh at his face?
A: He angrily destroys the classroom decorations and leaves for Mount Crumpit.
Q: What does Cindy Lou investigate?
A: She investigates why the Grinch hates Christmas.
Q: What public honor does Cindy Lou nominate the Grinch to receive?
A: She nominates him as Holiday Cheermeister.
Q: What persuades the Grinch to attend the Whobilation?
A: He learns that the Cheermeister receives an award and may see Martha May.
Q: What gift from Mayor MayWho humiliates the Grinch?
A: The mayor gives him an electric razor.
Q: What does Mayor MayWho propose during the celebration?
A: He proposes marriage to Martha May.
Q: What does the Grinch do after losing his temper at the Whobilation?
A: He wrecks the celebration and burns the town's Christmas tree.
Q: How do the Whos quickly answer the destroyed tree?
A: They reveal a replacement tree.
Q: What vehicle does the Grinch use to steal Christmas?
A: He builds and pilots a motorized sleigh.
Q: How does Max help operate the theft?
A: Max accompanies him, pulls when needed, and acts as his loyal assistant.
Q: What does Cindy Lou do after discovering the Grinch's plan?
A: She climbs aboard the sleigh and follows him to Mount Crumpit.
Q: What happens to Cindy Lou and the sleigh near the cliff?
A: They begin sliding over the edge with the stolen Christmas goods.
Q: What gives the Grinch the strength to save Cindy Lou?
A: His heart grows and he recognizes that he cares about her.
Q: What does the Grinch confess after returning to Who-ville?
A: He admits stealing Christmas and apologizes.
Q: Who forgives the Grinch first in the town square?
A: Cindy Lou and her family welcome him, helping the other Whos follow.
Q: What does Martha May do with Mayor MayWho's engagement ring?
A: She returns it and declares her feelings for the Grinch.
Q: Where does the final Christmas feast take place?
A: The Whos celebrate with the Grinch in his Mount Crumpit cave.
The 2018 Animated Film & Cross-Version Challenges
Q: Which studio produced the 2018 animated Grinch movie?
A: Illumination produced it.
Q: Who voices the Grinch in the 2018 movie?
A: Benedict Cumberbatch voices him.
Q: Who narrates the 2018 movie?
A: Pharrell Williams narrates it.
Q: Who voices Cindy Lou Who in the 2018 movie?
A: Cameron Seely voices her.
Q: Who voices Donna Lou Who, Cindy Lou's mother?
A: Rashida Jones voices her.
Q: Who voices Bricklebaum?
A: Kenan Thompson voices him.
Q: What is Bricklebaum's attitude toward Christmas?
A: He is exuberantly enthusiastic and considers himself the Grinch's best friend.
Q: Who are the directors of the 2018 film?
A: Scott Mosier and Yarrow Cheney directed it.
Q: What personal history explains the 2018 Grinch's sadness?
A: He grew up lonely in an orphanage and watched other families celebrate Christmas.
Q: Why does the Grinch go into Who-ville early in the film?
A: He has run out of food because of emotional overeating.
Q: What oversized Christmas plan alarms the Grinch?
A: The Whos announce that their celebration will be three times bigger.
Q: What does Cindy Lou want from Santa?
A: She wants Santa to help her overworked mother.
Q: Why does Cindy Lou decide to trap Santa?
A: She wants to speak with him directly about helping Donna.
Q: What is the name of Cindy Lou's friend with red hair and glasses?
A: Groopert is one of the friends helping with her plan.
Q: What animal does the Grinch recruit as a reindeer?
A: He recruits a large reindeer named Fred.
Q: Why does Fred leave the Grinch's service?
A: Fred reunites with his mate and their young calf.
Q: How does Max assist after Fred leaves?
A: Max pulls the sleigh with a mechanical reindeer rig and helps execute the plan.
Q: What gadget lets the Grinch travel across rooftops?
A: He uses inventions, cables, and a high-tech sleigh to move between houses.
Q: What happens when the Grinch enters Cindy Lou's home?
A: He becomes caught in her Santa trap.
Q: What does Cindy Lou tell the Grinch she wants for Christmas?
A: She asks for help easing her mother's workload rather than a present for herself.
Q: Why does the Grinch release Cindy Lou?
A: Her selfless wish affects him, though he continues the theft.
Q: Where does the 2018 Grinch plan to dump the stolen items?
A: He plans to throw them from Mount Crumpit.
Q: What happens when Max cannot keep the sleigh from falling?
A: Fred and his family arrive and help pull it to safety.
Q: Who invites the Grinch to Christmas dinner?
A: Cindy Lou invites him.
Q: What does the Grinch admit at dinner?
A: He admits he did not truly hate Christmas but hated being alone.
Q: What final toast does the Grinch give?
A: He toasts kindness and love as the things that matter.
Q: Which adaptation adds an orphanage backstory for the Grinch?
A: The 2018 animated film adds that backstory.
Q: Which adaptation makes Cindy Lou a newspaper-like investigator of the Grinch?
A: The 2000 live-action movie gives her that investigative role.
Q: Which adaptation keeps Cindy Lou closest to her brief original-book appearance?
A: The 1966 special keeps her as a very young child who interrupts the theft once.
Q: What core event appears in the book and all three major screen adaptations?
A: The Grinch steals Christmas goods, hears or sees the Whos celebrate anyway, changes his heart, and returns what he took.
How Did You Score?
If you kept every Cindy Lou, narrator, mountain, and roast beast in the correct version, your score grew three sizes today. I award bonus points for resisting the urge to steal the answer sheet.
Ellie Simons creates and edits Random Trivia. She researches trivia using primary and authoritative sources whenever possible and is currently reviewing the site's older trivia library for accuracy, clarity, and playability. Read more on the About page.
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