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81-year-old author, Maurice Sendak, supported himself with a cane at the New York premiere of the long-anticipated on-screen translation of his famous childrens book, Where the Wild Things Are.

As Sendak made his way past reporters with director, Spike Jonze, the octogenarian mused, “Oh, look at this. A real red carpet.” That is pretty damn adorable, if you ask me.

Producer of the film, Tom Hanks, chatted with USA Today about the dark undertone of the classic tale. He explains, “Children are very complex beings…They kind of experience bigger mood swings than adults do because they haven’t had any experience yet with loneliness or bitterness or confusion.” Poor bastards. They’ll learn soon enough. Right around the time when the rent is due. Sigh.

Gallery Info: Billy Magnison, Blake Lively, Catherine Keener, Catherine O’Hara, Forest Whitaker, Jay Manuel, Joan Allen, Jonathan Demme, June Ambrose, Karen Lee Orolek, Keisha Whitaker, Lauren Ambrose, Matthew Morrison, Maurice Sendeak, Max Records, Mia Maestro, Rain Phoenix, Spike Jonze and Tom Hanks at the premiere for Where the Wild Things Are.