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The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T.

Play trailer Poster for The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. G 1953 1h 28m Kids & Family Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 18 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
A young boy who detests taking piano lessons, Bart Collins has developed a deep suspicion of his strict instructor, Dr. Terwilliker. Raised by his single mother, Heloise, Bart looks up to the local plumber August Zabladowski. When Bart ends up in a Seussian dreamworld, he must join with Zabladowski to rescue his mom from Dr. T's clutches and stop his plan to force 500 boys to play a massive piano in perpetuity.
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The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T.

Critics Reviews

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Bob Thomas Associated Press Jun 24, 2019
A rare treat for movie goers of all ages. Go to Full Review Tim Brayton Alternate Ending Mar 9, 2024
4/5
Lively and peculiar enough to feel like a worthy experiment in trying to make Seuss-style visuals work in live-action. Go to Full Review Roy Ringer Illustrated Daily News (Los Angeles) Jul 13, 2021
A lion's share of the credit is certainly due Dr. Suess, the writer of children's stories, who did the story, screenplay and lyrics. Go to Full Review Rachel Wagner Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) May 13, 2019
6.5/10
It's fun, and it's creative, and it's bonkers, and I really enjoyed it. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Feb 23, 2013
B
Charles Cassady Common Sense Media Aug 26, 2010
4/5
Colorful, culty Dr. Seuss Hollywood original. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dane B. M @RT88449406 May 26, 2026 Do a microdose of acid before you watch it and it will allllll make sense. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Oct 4, 2025 Success in 1 hour and 28 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Jose B @RT36949494 Nov 17, 2024 There's a moment when you are not really sure if you are watching a film intented for Kids and families or you are watching a nightmare targeting adult audiences. There's something very tripy around this odd and unique film. Columbia wanted to have its own "Wizard of Oz" and ended up having an hallucinating nightmare. Don't miss it if you are into weird films. The Blu-ray has a great transfer and the colors are brilliant See more Julie B @RT06180755 May 22, 2024 Well, to think this was created in 1953. I remember watching it as a kid - it went way over my head then. I have watched it quite a few times now - lavish, over the top sets, clever musical numbers, tons of innuendo perhaps ?!? - crazy. I can see why it's a cult hit now. See more Courtney K @c0urtn3y Jan 30, 2023 i'll be honest... i don't know how to rate this. this was a trip, lol. i wasn't prepared; the kid sang pretty good, though. See more Blobbo X @Blobbo Aug 5, 2022 Co-written by Dr Seuss. Fantasy. See more Read all reviews
The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T.

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Cast & Crew

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Roy Rowland

Director

Peter Lind Hayes

August Zabladowski

Hans Conried

Dr. Terwilliker (Dr. T)

Tommy Rettig

Bart Collins

Mary Healy

Mrs. Collins

Jack Heasley

Uncle Whitney

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The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T.

Poster Art The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. (1953) The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. (1953) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis A young boy who detests taking piano lessons, Bart Collins has developed a deep suspicion of his strict instructor, Dr. Terwilliker. Raised by his single mother, Heloise, Bart looks up to the local plumber August Zabladowski. When Bart ends up in a Seussian dreamworld, he must join with Zabladowski to rescue his mom from Dr. T's clutches and stop his plan to force 500 boys to play a massive piano in perpetuity.
Director
Roy Rowland
Producer
Stanley Kramer
Screenwriter
Allan Scott, Dr. Seuss, Dr. Seuss
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures, Stanley Kramer Company
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 1, 1953, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Runtime
1h 28m
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