The Lorax: Dr. Seuss's Deluxe Edition

Based on author and co-producer Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel's 1971 children's book, this 1973 short features an intro by Eddie Albert. The premise follows the story of an ambitious entrepreneur called the Once-ler, who arrives in a lush new locale and promptly chops down a bright puffy Truffula tree. However, inside the stump is the miffed Lorax, a walrus-y looking little creature who makes it his duty to “speak for the trees,” even as Once-ler cuts more and more, using the crop to create “thneeds” (a kind of knitted multipurpose hot-ticket item). As the popularity of thneeds rises, the Once-ler pulls out all the stops to further the industry, introducing advanced machinery for axing the trees, building roads, and dumping pollution. While the Lorax repeatedly attempts to talk some sense into the Once-ler—even showing him the sad effects of displacement for formerly flourishing creatures such as the Brown Bar-ba-loot and Humming-Fish who go hungry and become ill—the cigar-wielding Once-ler only has profit on the brain…until it's too late. A forward-thinking ‘70s environmental fable—re-released to coincide with the arrival of the theatrical film—The Lorax features extras including “The Trees! The Tress! The Voice of the Trees” featurette and the bonus Seuss stories “Pontoffel Pock & His Magic Piano” and “Butter Battle Book.” Recommended. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)