Hollywood Sees Green In Grinch

The Whos down in Whoville probably aren't wailing "Boo Hoo Hoo" anymore.

Universal Pictures has agreed to pay about $9 million to the widow of Theodore Geisel for the rights to use two Dr. Seuss favorites, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Oh, the Places You'll Go.

The company negotiated on behalf of Imagine Films, which will adapt Grinch into a film directed by Ron Howard and starring Jim Carrey. Universal is aiming for a Christmas 2000 release.

During his lifetime, Geisel resisted most offers to license the characters he created for his 47 children's stories, although an animated Grinch has been a holiday staple on television since 1966.

After Geisel's death in 1991, his widow, Audrey Geisel, agreed to several merchandising deals, including clothing lines, accessories and CD-ROMs.

Daily Variety, quoting anonymous sources, said Mrs. Geisel will also get about 4 percent of gross profits and a merchandising and soundtrack share in the 50 percent range.

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