The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T

Dr. Seuss's (a.k.a. Theodor Geisel) only full-length feature effort, this 1953 cult classic still appeals to children with its colorful--if sometimes thematically dark--oedipal tale of a young boy named Bart (Lassie's Tommy Rettig), whose anxiety over his piano lessons sets him to dreaming about a mad, mad, mad world where boys are forced to practice on the world's longest piano under the tutelage of the evil Dr. Terwilliker (played to the purple hilt by Hans Conreid), who also controls Bart's mother (Mary Healy). But adults will also enjoy the ultra-campy musical numbers, weird sets, and Seuss-like touches (typified by poor Bart's beanie--which sports a rubber hand coming out of the top). The digitally remastered video and audio are sharp and clear, and the extras, though limited, include a bonus cartoon. Recommended. (R. Pitman)