By: Dr. Seuss Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Label: Random House Books for Young Readers Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 72 Publication Date: August 12, 1954 Reading Level: Ages 4-8 Release Date: August 12, 1954
Amazon.com: Surely among the most lovable of all Dr. Seuss creations, Horton the Elephant represents kindness, trustworthiness, and perseverance--all wrapped up, thank goodness, in a comical and even absurd package. Horton hears a cry for help from a speck of dust, and spends much of the book trying to protect the infinitesimal creatures who live on it from the derision and trickery of other animals, who think their elephant friend has gone quite nutty. But worse is in store: an eagle carries away the clover in which Horton has placed the life-bearing speck, and "let that small clover drop somewhere inside / of a great patch of clovers a hundred miles wide!" Horton wins in the end, after persuading the "Who's" to make as much noise as possible and prove their existence. This classic is not only fun, but a great way to introduce thoughtful children to essentially philosophical questions. How, after all, are we so sure there aren't invisible civilizations floating by on every mote? (Ages 4 to 8) --Richard Farr
Product Description: Illus. in color. Horton, the lovable elephant, tries to protect tiny creatures on a speck of dust. An easy reader with delightful verse and pictures.
A TRUE CLASSIC! 20the Century Fox has just released a big-screen version of the Dr. Seuss classic Horton Hears a Who, but did you know the story actually made its debut on the small screen nearly 40 years ago? In 1970 the story came to TV in a half-hour animated special produced by legendary Warner Bros. director, Chuck Jones. Responsible for some of the best Bug Bunny cartoons ever produced, Jones was no stranger to the works of Theodor Geisel, AKA Dr. Seuss, having directed another Seuss classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas a few years earlier.
I recall watching the special when I was a kid but had nearly forgotten about it until Warner Bros. released the special on a brand new deluxe DVD that also features several other cartoon shorts based on Dr. Seuss' books. Horton is a friendly, imaginative elephant that is the only one who can hear the voices coming from a spec of dust, the tiny world of the Whos. Berated and made fun of by other inhabitants of the jungle, the courageous Horton protects the spec of dust with his own life, proclaiming, "A person is a person, no matter how small." While Horton is a fantastic children's fable it also offers a strong morale message of standing up for what you believe in, no matter what peer pressure you are under. I only hope the message is not lost in the big screen version. If nothing else, the film has made it possible that the original animated tale has been released on DVD, completely remastered and looking better than ever. The colors are bold and bright and it brought back great memories, as it has not been shown on TV in decades. The wonderful cast included Hans Conreid as Horton as well as the narrator; June Foray (best known as the voice of Rocky the Squirrel) as Jane Kangaroo and Cindy Lou Who; and Thurl Ravenscroft who was the voice of Tony the Tiger and sung the immortal Grinch song.
It would be great if just this story had been released on DVD but thankfully, the DVD packs in several other features.
Horton Hatches the Egg is a Merrie Melodies animated short produced by Warner Bros. in 1942. it is adapted from the Dr. Seuss book of the same name and introduces Horton, the friendly elephant who sits on the eggs of a lazy bird named Mayzie so she can go on vacation.
Dr, Seuss' Butter Battle Book was produced as a TNT Network special in 1989. This tale of absurdity to the extreme was directed by Ralph Bakshi, known more for his adult-themed underground animated films like Fritz the Cat and Heavy Traffic, than for children's animation. The story is about two different races, the Yooks and the Zooks, who have a dispute on which side of their bread to butter. This is Seuss at his eccentric best.
Daisy Head Mayzie was another TNT Network special featuring the Cat-in-the-Hat narrating the story of a little girl named Mayzie who grows a daisy out of the top of her head. This one is only average and suffers from weak animation.
Finally, In Search of Dr. Seuss, is a 90 minute movie/documentary produced in 1994. Kathy Najimy plays a reporter who comes to the home of Dr. Seuss to learn all she can about him. Through a series of sketches where she meets various characters, she finds out surprising facts about the author. The film co-stars numerous stars including Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Christopher Lloyd, and Patrick Stewart. While it would have been nice to have a more up-to-date and academic look at Seuss' works, this silly film is strangely appropriate.
The DVD is a must-have for Dr. Seuss fans.
A timeless masterpiece for children of all ages Horton Hears a Who is a masterpiece. Often heralded as a book on friendship, it is much more than that. Theodor Seuss Geisel was an outspoken critic of Hitler and Mussolini, and Horton Hears a Who has been said to have been Geisel's call to support the fledgling democracy in Japan after World War II. But Horton is much more than that. Horton Hears a Who is a reminder of the importance of protecting those weaker than we and a timeless call for people to unite and speak up for themselves.
This SUX I screwed Up I guess but there was no note to let me know that I was not getting the MOVIE just a Old TV show.... Cant do a 0 star bummer!
Loved it.....except for that GRAPHIC SUICIDE part! This is the 1970 version of Horton Hears a Who as produced by Warner Brothers legendary director Chuck Jones. It is fine.
Also included in this collection is the Chuck Jones directed version of "Horton Hatches The Egg". This Merry Mellodies cartoon version from 1942 (complete with that lovable theme song)is great for kids.. well up until the scene where Horton is being shipped back to civilization to be a part of the circus. A Peter Lorre-esque fish sees Horton perched on the boat (on his egg and tree of course) and replies "now I've seen everything".. He then pulls out a gun and blows his brains out. His head splatters and his limp body drifts into the sea. My wife and I were horrified as we watched in the company of our 5 year old son. I am not a prude, and appreciate a good joke. I've looked at editorial reviews of this cartoon and have seen this scene described as a "gag". Suicide might have been quite the joke in 1942... but the scene is shockingly odd and offensive in 2008. I would hate for someone who has had a suicide in their family to watch this unprepared. I must say we are still numb and I ran to the computer to write this review. If you are going to show this to kids..you should watch this scene first yourself..or perhaps skip this story all together. Sadly.. it's the best one on the DVD and I am saddened that the brilliant folks at Warner Brothers chose to keep this little scene in without some kind of warning. That scene is never showed on TV, but here it is..in its unedited glory.
Horton Hears a Who This was very disappointing to receive the 1960's version rather than the one that came out this year. It did bring back memories though. Of all the DVD's I have purchased from Amazon, I think this one could have been labeled with the pertinent information to avoid my disappointment.Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who (Deluxe Edition)
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