The Cat in the Hat (1971)

On a cold, rainy day, Conrad (Frazier) and Sally (Ferdin) are bored.  Their Mother (Camacho) has gone out and they are home alone.  Their boredom is interrupted by the arrival of The Cat in the Hat (Sherman).  The Cat has ideas for fun games, but their goldfish Mr. Krinklebein (Butler) objects.  Despite his objections, the Cat and his mischievous assistants Thing One (Ravenscroft) and Thing Two (Morford) engage the kids in their fun.


In 1957, Dr. Seuss wrote the popular children's book "The Cat in the Hat."  The story was his first writing under the pseudonym of Seuss (Theodor Geisel) and became a critical hit.  Over 60 years later, the book is still popular.

The book was turned into a musical TV special in 1971 and released on home video in the late 1980s.  Seuss is credited as the writer for the film, he also wrote the lyrics to the songs.  The music was written by Dean Elliott.  The music and lyrics are catchy and stick with you long after the movie is over, especially "Calculatus Eliminatus" and "Cat, Hat".  I remember loving this film as a child, and that joy hasn't changed while watching it as an adult.

The book had a sequel " The Cat in the Hat Comes Back", but it was never adapted into a movie.  However, the character of the Cat in the Hat, does appear in other Seuss adaptations: Dr. Seuss on the Loose (in 1973), The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat (in 1982), and Daisy-Head Mayzie (in 1995).  The character also starred in the musical "Seussical: The Musical" and the TV shows The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss and The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!  And in 2003 the character starred in a live-action film, The Cat in the Hat with Mike Meyers in the title role, the film was lambasted by critics and fans.

The Cat in the Hat (1971) 30 minutes
Director: Hawley Pratt
Starring: Allan Sherman as The Cat in the Hat
Daws Butler as Mr. Krinklebein
Tony Frazier as Conrad
Pamelyn Ferdin as Sally
Gloria Camacho as Mother
Thurl Ravenscroft as Thing One
Lewis Morford as Thing Two