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Learning from the 1972 Lorax
“Unless someone like you cares an awful lot…”
Some Dr. Seuss books become more dated as time passes, especially if we look at his World War II caricatures. The Lorax becomes more relevant, especially as we see what happens when humans restore devastated ecosystems and wildlife. While Tumblr latched onto the 2012 film because users fell for the 3D Onceler, the 1972 adaptation feels more fitting for Earth Day with its depressing but hopeful ending. We’ve seen many capitalists that don’t repent environmental destruction; in fact, they’re trying to undo the protections that have existed for decades. Having to call, spread the news, and take tangible action is exhausting. Pure evil exists, and ordinary people support it.
The Lorax premiered in 1971 as a picture book; a television special produced by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises, with Warner Bros. animation veteran Friz Freleng as one of the producers. (Dr. Seuss was the other.) You can see Looney Tunes-style in the music, slapstick, and scene transitions that the title character suffers in-between the Onceler’s narration. I argue that the comedy helps deliver the message. So does the choice of diagetic music that the characters deliver.
Apathy Kills Truffula Trees
The 1972 Onceler shows an inflated ego he compensates with ambition. When…
