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One of Hollywood's best fantasies, a musical with the mad humor of Dr. Seuss (a.k.a Theodor Geisel), The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. is the story of a nine-year-old boy (Tommy Rettig) who is scolded for not practicing the piano and daydreams himself into a fantastic world where the piano reigns supreme. Dr. Seuss based the story on memories of his own boyhood piano lessons from a tyrannical teacher ("It took me forty-three years to catch up with him!"). In the film, Hans Conried plays the terrible Dr. Terwilliker.

• Written by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel), Allan Scott from a story by Dr. Seuss. Photographed by Frank Planer. With Tommy Rettig, Peter Lind Hayes, Hans Conried, Mary Healy. (88 mins)

Preceded by:
Gerald McBoing Boing (Robert "Bobe" Cannon, 1951). The most famous and influential of all UPA shorts, based on Dr. Seuss's story about a kid who doesn't speak words, but only weird sounds. (7 mins)