Dr. Seuss purists may object to the liberties taken with Dr. Seuss: The Cat in the Hat (although the good doctor himself crafted the screenplay and had at least a hand in taking those liberties), and they have a point. Much of the charm of the classic children's book has been lost in its translation to the small screen, primarily because this animated version is very much a product of its times (the early '70s) -- witness the labeling of Krinklebein the fish as a "reactionary." The addition of a red herring in the form of the Cat's hunt for his moss-covered three-handled family gredunza also seems forced, and too much of the book's original rhymed dialogue has been lost along the way. That said, there is still a great deal here for children to enjoy, including a lively story and some sprightly animation. They will also enjoy the extremely infectious song score, which includes the delightful "Calculatus Eliminatus" and the impossible-to-get-out-of-one's-head title song. The voice work is also quite good, with Allan Sherman and Daws Butler bringing their antagonistic characters to life with flair. If Cat is not in the same league as its literary source, it's still fine fun.