La storia di Lumetto

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.

This version of Rudolph has transcended the simple childhood fantasy originally intended, becoming a visible part of our popular holiday culture. The sound track, which included new tunes for my generation are now woven into the fabric of traditional holiday fare. For me, this film sparks memories. I was on a cub scout trip to gather greens for wreaths and the biggest worry of many of the cubs was if we were going to get home in time to see the premier showing of Rudolph. I was 8 years old and my Mom had bought me a new boy scout hatchet for that outing... Of course she worried I'd cut my fingers and Dad reassured her that I'd be careful with the hatchet. In later years, I suspect there were a few other teens who secretly watched Rudolph (without their peer's knowledge) and in even later years it was great to have some young ones around to lend an excuse to watch the Christmas special. Rudolph has changed over the years. Originally, the commercial breaks during Rudolph's airing included some of Santa's elves from the show. As I recall, they were sledding snowy hills on an electric razor and when it stops short, the tall elf with glasses was thrown and disappeared into a snow drift. The commercials were almost an extension of the show and enjoyable to watch. There was also the change of songs and attitude in the scene where Hermie and Rudolph first meet. In the original I believe they sung the misfit song, which seemed to be an acceptance of their status and they depart in search of independence and a place they can fit in. In early subsequent versions, the fame and fortune song replaced the misfit song which seemed to create a more defiant attitude towards their lot in life. Perhaps that defiance fit into the 1960's best. In any event, the misfit song was back on the most recent showing and Hermie and Rudolph lamented their status once again. I'm not complaining about the changes… I've done a little changing myself in the last 40 years. So I split some kindling (believe it or not) with that same old boy scout hatchet Mom bought me so many years ago and I smiled at her ancient worries... all ten digits remain happily in place. The fireplace was casting a nice glow and my granddaughter and I watched Rudolph. My granddaughter is not quite two and she toddled to the television screen and touched the image of thin Santa who won't eat for Mrs. Klaus and then she turned to me and smiled. One more memory for life… like I said, this film has transcended what it was meant to be.

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. +

Directors: Kizo Nagashima, Larry Roemer; Story: Robert May; Script: Romeo Muller; Producers: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin

Rudolph is more then a Christmas special, it is a holiday tradition. I always look forward to the special time during the Christmas season when I can watch this. This beloved special is one of the few things that brings back my childhood. Most children today enjoy watching this as much as their parents did when they were little. On the DVD's introduction, producer Arthur Rankin states that Rudolph the Red Nosed Raindeer has been reportedly viewed by over a billion people worldwide. It is perhaps second only to The Wizzard of Oz as being the most viewed programme of all time.

Rudolph is the first of a line of Christmas specials that were produced by Rankin and Bass and written by Romeo Muller. Some of the others are: The Little Drummer Boy (1968), Frosty the Snowman (1969),and Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1970) as well as Here Comes Peter Cottontail (1971) and Puff, The Magic Dragon (1978). It is hard to imagine all these classic specials being the creation of one man. Mr. Muller is Mr. Christmas!

The origins of Rudolph the Red Nosed Raindeer stem from the song written by Johnny Marks back in the 1930's or 1940's. A Max Fleischer cartoon short was made in 1948 with Robert May creating its story. However, the Rankin and Bass Christmas special is based on the Johnny Marks song but other than that, it is all the creation of Romeo Muller. Hermey the elf, Sam the snowman, Yukon Cornelius, Claurice, the head elf are all Muller's creations. Even Rudolph's personality is created by Muller. In the 1948 cartoon Rudolph does not talk.

I have always liked Burl Ives as both a singer and an actor. His part as Sam the Snowman is my favourite by him. All the people behind the scenes doing the voices were all talented. They used stop motion animation with moving puppets just like they did with King Kong. Rudolph is a timeless classic that bring me back to the simpler time of childhood every time I watch it. I hope my small children will enjoy it to.

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.