Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Oh this one is great! I loved it as a kid, and must admit to being scared of the Abominable when he showed round age 5 or so. The parts with Herbie doing the 'Oink oink oink' routine and with Yukon Cornelious are a Scream! (One of my cousins reminds me of Yukon, actually...)

There are some terrific vignettes here-the iceberg drifting off into the northern lights, the Beasts' roaring echoing all round, the Island of Misfit Toys(Charlie in the Box is the best!)...'Bumbles Bounce!'...

Who can not like this? Plus Burl Ives, the one and only. This one will still be shown long after the Beavises of the world are gone.

*** outta ****, a definate watch. +

Videocraft International Limited; The General Electric Fantasy Hour; all those remarkable numbers; Romeo Muller's script; the legendary Hermey, the elf who wanted the world of dentistry rather than the magic of the North Pole; Burl Ives as the irreplacable Sam the Snowman, who tells our tale; the beautiful vocal of tones of ol' neon-nose himself, as uttered by Billie Mae Richards --- and that ultimate stop-motion animation paradise, the Island of Misfit Toys.

Any proper exploration of the Enchanted World of Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass must begin here.... with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer --- television's longest continuously aired animated Christmas special. It was the cornerstone of everything R/B would eventually accomplish over the next 4 decades; it did instill some negative feelings in me --- for a time. But until I read Rick Goldschmidt's recently published in-depth chronicle of this 1964 television landmark, featuring Muller's complete screenplay, I realized that there was much about the film I didn't know. How fortunate we are that Rick was able to open our eyes and set the record straight.

To the dum-dums of the Television Academy: I've bugged you about this for several years; now, more than ever, Arthur and Jules need to be there --- there being the Television Academy Hall of Fame. I hope those who still watch and enjoy Rankin/Bass' Rudolph will agree with me and bug the TV Academy into putting the boys there. 'Nuff said.

Briefly, this movie contains my favorite movie-flub (mistake) of all time. Did you catch this?

Early on, when Rudolph arrives at the Isle of Misfit Toys, one of the Misfits is a toy bird that can not fly (he swims).

At the end of the movie when the credits are running, an elf riding in the back of Santa's sleigh is "parachuting" the Misfit Toys to the homes below by handing each toy an umbrella and then tossing them over-board. Everyone gets an umbrella... everyone that is except the poor flightless bird. Just as the elf is about to hand the bird an umbrella, he looks at the umbrella, looks at the bird, apparently decides birds don't need umbrellas, and then tosses the poor bird overboard assumedly to his death.

Merry Xmas. :)

I've seen and loved all of the great Rankin/Bass Christmas shows, and I have most of them on video, but this first one, "Rudolph," is still the best, and still the one that holds the warmest memories for me.

In terms of Holiday atmosphere, it can't be beat. The late Johnny Marks' songs are all winners, and "Rudolph" and "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" are now firmly established Christmas classics. And holding it all together is Burl Ives' warm, friendly singing and narration. His sincerity and joviality just naturally make you want to "pull up an ice block and lend an ear." I'm now 41 years old, I know all the dialogue practically by heart, and yet I still watch "Rudolph" practically every Christmas. And, what's more, I still love it.

Finally, a word to Julie Landry, of Orlando, on her review. I myself was dyslexic as a child. And yes, I got picked on because of it. But, in deference to your opinion, I see "Rudolph" as a story of how even a perceived outsider can fit in. As a successful Senior Librarian today, I'm living proof that outsiders can succeed. But, then, Rudolph proved that long before I did.

There are many Christmas specials and movies involving Christmas. Some are good. Some are average. And some are just plain bad. But Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer shall remain the king of all Christmas specials. All the characters are wonderful and memorable, and Burl Ives is just perfect for the snowman, who sings those unforgettable songs. A must see every Christmas.