In , the story was adapted to song by Johnny Marks, who wrote the lyrics based on the original story and set it to music. A well-known musical composer and radio producer, Marks just happened to be Robert May's brother-in-law. But the most popular version was the one released by Gene Autry, the singing cowboy, in The catchy tune was an instant hit with the public and some 1. This animated version was created with a form of animation called "Animagic. Over the years, the original story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has been revised and reinterpreted to varying degrees for books and television.
In this first animated TV version, additional songs were generated, and the storyline was enhanced by the animators. They introduced new characters to the story, including the narrator Sam the Snowman, played by Burl Ives, who also sings the songs; Clarice, Rudolph's girlfriend; Hermey the Elf, who wants to be a dentist; arctic explorer Yukon Cornelius; Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster; and the troupe of misfit toys. It seems that in the first version, the fate of the misfit toys was not resolved, and after numerous complaints and suggestions from the television audience, the "imperfect toys" found a home on the Island of Misfit Toys.
The story of Rudolph is a childhood favorite of mine that holds many wonderful memories. I will never forget standing in line with my parents for over an hour to see Santa just so I could receive my very own oversized hardbound copy of the Rudolph book with its bright shiny red cover—only to chicken out at the last minute when I refused to talk to Santa or sit on his lap.
Thankfully, after much drama and tears, one of the elves-in-waiting stopped the tears from flowing and presented me with my very own copy of the book. Best of all, I did not have to sit on that strange man's lap!
Melodie Sweeney is an associate curator in the Division of Culture and the Arts. She has also blogged about a certain poky little puppy and the Marx Brothers. Skip to main content. Blog Home About Archive. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer turns The song was also a favorite in the Nixon White House, as the first Christmas song that first daughters Tricia and Julie learned to sing. And his tummy shook too.
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It often indicates a user profile. Log out. US Markets Loading H M S In the news. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was born out of a department store marketing assignment.
Defunct Chicago-based department store Montgomery Ward wanted to pass out free coloring books to children during the holiday shopping season of Copywriter Robert L. May was tasked with writing a poem to go in the booklets. Drawing on his own childhood experience with bullying, May created the character of Rudolph, a little reindeer ostracized for his shiny nose.
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