Universal appeal for 'Grinch' pic

True meaning of Christmas: Deutsche marks

By DANA HARRIS

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Ron Howard and Brian Grazer flank Jim Carrey at Universal's Stage 43.

 

Universal Pictures offered its international distributors a crash course in "Grinch" on Thursday, transforming the studio's Stage 43 into a veritable Whoville so that some 400-plus overseas distributors, exhibitors and members of the press might be inspired to translate the Seussian delights of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" for its local audiences.

Front and center was "Grinch" star Jim Carrey, who wasn't above reminding the crowd of the true meaning of Christmas. During remarks from Imagine Entertainment's Brian Grazer and Ron Howard about "bringing the charm of Dr. Seuss worldwide," Carrey poked his head from backstage to bark, "Why don't you say what this is really all about? Worldwide dollars! Deutsche marks!"

Carrey has earned plenty of those with films like Imagine's "Liar Liar," but "Grinch" offers a challenge since Seuss' tongue-twisters don't naturally trip off of foreign tongues, and overseas tots are unacquainted with the Grinch and the Whoville residents.

To educate its guests, U presented a rough 15-minute assembly of "Grinch" footage, offered delicacies such as "Seusshi" and "Roast Beast with Who Jus" washed down with a "Mount Crumpet Mojito" and provided body-twisting eye candy from the Cirque de Soleil.

Also on hand: cast members Christine Baranski, Molly Shannon and Jeffrey Tambor, studio chairman Stacey Snider, U international prexy Nadia Bronson and Imagine president Michael Rosenberg.

Meanwhile, in the U.S. the post office will offer "Happy Wholidays" cancellation on December mail.