Well, who doesn’t love the original The Cat in the Hat series of books? Thought so, no one.
Dr. Seuss (real name Theodore Geisel) had the most whimsical style and created some of the most weird yet strangely compelling figures in the history of children’s books. After he died a few years back, I guess his estate went into overdrive to make some money and hence we have recent films like The Grinch and the by all accounts appalling The Cat in the Hat live action film. However, back in 1971 they didn’t have the wonderful computer animation stuff we do today, and so they drew, photocopied onto cel and hand-painted frames in order to make animated film.
What I loved most about the series, and particular the titular book and character, was in what was happening outside the frame. Seuss had the ability to put the book inside your own life, barely a breath from being seen in reality right where you live. And unfortunately, that ability has never translated well to film. (It’s the same principal with reading the Footrot Flats books and having your own voice in your head for Dog. When that became an animated film everyone groaned because Dog didn’t sound like it should to the individual. Know what I mean?)
So here, the book has translated poorly to film. Another thing about this book was that the printing was all in reds and blues and whites and blacks. In this short film there’s every colour you can imagine, and then some more, so it doesn’t even resemble the book.
It, of course, details the story of two kids home on a rainy day while Mom is out. A strange cat wearing a hat turns up and teaches them how to have fun by trashing their own home, before repairing all damage in the nick of time before Mom comes back home. And there’s a talking goldfish, the killjoy.
Anyway, the film is just blasé by today’s standard. Even for the time, the film is rather ordinary looking. And there’s no way in hell you’ll get me to go and see the new version when it comes out. See below for more on that.
Picture quality here is pretty average. Colours are washed out, leaving the bright Simpsons-esque palette looking very mundane. Edges are slightly soft, while blacks are at least naturalistic. The animation is the highlight of the whole piece and has been created by some notables of today, back when they were starting out. Phil Roman and Don Williams are two names that leapt out here, with most fans knowing Phil Roman from the production company Film Roman who produces The Simpsons for the Fox Network. The style of Dr. Seuss’ artistry has been faithfully reproduced for the most part and this does aid us in the connection if the colour doesn’t.
Simple dialogue fuels the show with no real lip synch to speak of. There are some moments of annoying singing which have at least been versed by Dr. Seuss to the music of Dean Elliott. This is of the time and is like a time capsule of sorts, though it reminded me a lot of the bad Fritz the Cat style of music. Naturally a TV special of this sort from 1971 only has Dolby stereo and this is what we are presented with here.
As to extras, we are granted an advertisement in the form of a sneak peek at the Mike Myers vehicle The Cat in the Hat which looks appalling and Hollywoodised and runs for a nauseating 4:10. Other than that we get song selections, which is just a skip-to, and one feeble karaoke track that runs for 1:51. Whoopie doo.
I am a genuine fan of Theodore Geisel’s work outside of his Dr. Seuss persona and one of his works (sadly, not original) graces my studio wall. Here though, I am disappointed by the translation this beloved book has made to screen. Perhaps this is why not many of Dr. Seuss’ catalogue made it into animation. Who can say?
This feels a lot like a shameless way to cash in on the upcoming film release (and with the devious sneak peek I suspect I’m right). After having watched this atrocious sneak peek I will be staying home and dutifully ignoring what they are doing to Mr. Geisel’s work now he has passed on.
Even fans of animation itself may find this one hard to watch. Certainly I think it appears too dated to capture much juvenile attention in this day and age and the lack of extras seals the deal.
