Various channels (including Cartoon Network and StarZ) are running Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas this week and next. It, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer are my four favorite bits of holiday animation and the only four that really developed into perennials. For many of us, the holidays are not complete without a viewing of one or more of these, and I have to note: Magoo was produced in '62, Rudolph in '64, Charlie Brown in '65 and Grinch in '66…and that was it. The Golden Age of Animated Television Christmas Specials was over. Many have been done since but not one has had anywhere near the staying power or affection of those four.
I have no idea why this is, so I'll just mention this link to an article about the Grinch, complete with quotes from the lovely June Foray, who did the voice of Cindy Lou Who. Her role was uncredited and less than a dozen words in duration…but even if I hadn't seen the special repeatedly since '63, I'd still remember her letter-perfect performance.