From a preservation standpoint there's certainly a degree of frustration here, but I dunno, I think it's really kind of sweet a bunch of these hugely iconic puppets just ended up as everyday decorations and being played with by kids related to the producers and all that. Sounds like a charmed life for the icons
I actually really liked hearing that, especially when you consider the alternative was being tossed at the end of production. They got to spend a few years being loved by some kids before living the rest of their lives behind glass.
Imagine one of the most iconic xmas specials being aired only twice....thats crazy to think about. So glad that is not the case, because I love these animations.
i'm a huge rankin bass fan and i've always been fascinated with the production of these films, the first time i saw the antiques roadshow video my heart broke into a million pieces hearing that all those characters melted in his attic... if only they could've been saved and restored like santa and rudolph were
@@seliphsnom2596 that was a later one the puppets were probably given to employees in japan and lost over time but who knows maybe they'll be found someday
As an old man nearing 60, I remember these specials so fondly. I thought my adult children had seen all of these....to my surprise they hadn't. My 30 year old daughter and I just sat down on Christmas night with a cup of coffee by the fireplace and watched Santa Claus is coming to town. I told her how her uncle and I wouldn't miss these shows each year and how a feeling of sadness would come over us at the end of each one. As we finished watching that old familiar feeling came over me as S.D. Kluger turns the mail truck towards the North Pole at the end..... but it was magical to share it with her.
It's ALWAYS great sharing fond memories of our childhood with our kids! One day we'll be gone and those memories will forever be with them, even when you can't.
I remember planning my whole day around what Christmas special was airing that night. If u missed it that year, you were out of luck until next Christmas.
Oh my God, when I heard the puppets were donated to a puppetry museum I got chills and teared up... I'm so glad these iconic pieces will be available for anyone to see!!
I wonder if replicas will ever be made of all the popular stop-motion puppets that were used for those old movies. I mean, extremely accurate replicas that I’d jump through walls out of excitement trying to get them lmao
There technically is, there was a 4D remake of the movie (basically stop motion but with more special affects and such) idk what happened to the puppets tho
it breaks my heart that the puppets melted away considering how much time the puppet makers spent on those and the memories they created. It would be great for future stop-motion animators to see. even the japanese paper in santa's boots was quite interesting
I wish the Snowman and Clarisse had survived and of course Hermie, the Abominable and Yukon. ALL OF THEM are so dear to my heart! I was 3 when the first show aired.
That's awesome that the one buyer donated them to a museum to share them with everybody, after they spent a massive amount of money ($368,000) on them! AND that person remained anonymous, even though they did the public a huge service and deserved to be thanked. Whoever you are, thank you. Somebody else probably would've kept them in a private collection, never to be seen again for another few decades probably. Thankfully they got into the right hands of a genuine humble person who wanted to share them with everyone who adores these special characters. The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta actually secured a license to make a full-sized puppet show adaptation of the TV special. The puppets are much larger, obviously (including a 7-foot-tall Bumble), but the designs are all based off the original puppets.
You’re so naive! There’s people out there that were born into wealth and for them $365K is nothing! It’s like me giving a dime to transient person, am I some kind of hero too? Sure, they could be like trump and brag about the donation, but it must be an actual billionaire with zero interest for attention. It’s time we stop putting people born into wealth on a pedestal! We’re not talking about some old grandma selling her home to buy those puppets and share them with the world hahahaha
Yea I like when collectors donate to museums, it gives the items a new purpose, and the history they hold doesn't just sit in a private collection being forgotten.
I remember being a bullied kid, empathizing and sympathizing with Rudolph. He was my favorite reindeer, growing up. Every year, when I wrote Santa, I'd always write to Rudolph or asked about him. That was one of my favorite part of the holidays, growing up. It makes me glad that some of these puppets were found and restored. It really is like seeing old friends.
I make replicas of the Rudolph puppets. I hope to make more of the Rankin/Bass characters. I have found some very interesting facts about the puppets. One of my favorite discoveries is that the surviving Santa on antiques roadshow is actually a photo puppet made for magazine photos. The same could be said for the melted Sam and Hermey. The real screen used Santa is in Japan shown off at the Tadahito Mochinaga exhibition with the Reindeer from Rudolph.
@@crocomallow your kind words really mean so much to me!! I've been a fan of the Rankin/Bass specials since I was a toddler. As I got older, I started to become fascinated with the process of the animation itself. I too would like to work in the stop motion industry one day. Would love to share more on the new discoveries being made in the Rankin/Bass community. Maybe I'll make a video some time.
These shows were so special to me as a 70s child. They ran them once on TV before Christmas and if you missed it you missed it. Well, I never missed it. Thanks to all these great people for putting these productions together. Merry Christmas 2024
I don't know how or why, but I got emotional finding out that some of these puppets have resurfaced and are taken care of and so loved. It really is like finding old friends. Sure, they've aged, but that same spirit is within them. This really made my Christmas!
It's january, but as a lover of puppetry and practical effects, I got emotional knowing so many still exist (was heart broken over the set in the attic, but bless their hearts, they had no idea).
@@HarleyQuinn-gu1knin this very video, the man who brought the puppets forward said the same exact thing, that thanks to his mom they melted. Makes me wonder if they threw ‘em away after that? Would’ve been nice to at least have their remains…
I was born in 64 . I grew up as a kid watching these shows every christmas . it wouldn't seem like christmas without them . thank you for bringing this to those who find it nestagic . it's American history .
They are special. No doubt about it. I was born in 1963 and grew up with them. Before cable and the creation of VHS tape and DVD's they were played just once a year. It was a huge event when they were aired on TV. You never missed it.
'63 here too (March) & you're exactly right! It was always an awesome night, the family sitting around the TV waiting for these Christmas specials to start.
my mom was born in the early 60s and she told me this the other day while we were watching christmas specials together. she said that if you missed it, you missed it. you wouldn’t see it again until the next year
I cant imagine anyone,even back in the 60's or 70's not realizing how special these puppets were. They are works of art. Had i been the appraiser on the antiques roadshow I would have tried to buy the puppets. Im glad the guy who bought them put them in a museum so they can bring happiness to the world.
As an aspiring animator. I’m so glad that the main puppets were restored, but really upset that the other puppets did not survive the attic. Hearing that felt like hearing about an old friend that had passed away.
@@SorrowAvenue Mario Cantone is a friend of his and he talked about how little he cares about the industry when he was on Gilbert Gottfried's podcast. I get the feeling he's the type who lives in the moment and lets the past go.
I remember hearing about the Rudolph and Santa puppets being found, but I didn’t realize so much work went into their discovery and restoration! This was an incredibly informative video-and timely too, both for the holiday season and in light of Jules Bass’s death in October.
I have a DVD set with some of the Rankin Bass shorts and some other specials (It has Rudolph, Santa Claus is coming to town, and Frosty the snowman, along with Little Drummer boy) I absolutely loved them as a kid, especially Rudolph and Santa Claus. It’s nice seeing the production of one of my childhood shorts.
Ah yes, the Christmas Classics DVD, disappointment in home video form. Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty are great, but why those other two that no one really cares about? Where's Year Without a Santa Claus or A Miser Brothers Christmas? There's another one that's even worse, claiming to have like 18 specials but only like 2 of them are actually classic and the rest just feels like "random stuff no one remembers that we also own the rights to and would give this DVD the illusion of greater value" Rights holders can be such parasites man, imagine how awesome it would be to have -Frosty -Rudolph -Santa Claus is Comin to Town -Year Without a Santa Claus -How the Grinch Stole Christmas -A Charlie Brown Christmas And like a dozen more I can't remember right now, all in one collection. This is why I look forward to when streaming services eventually merge into one massive service, so everything* will be available in one place *excluding 90% of foreign films because, again, rights holders are parasites
I'm so glad Rudolph and Santa were rescued and restored! My heart just broke when I heard about all those other precious pieces that had melted away and are gone forever😭 They're are like family to all of us that grew up with them!
Growing up in the 60s, those Christmas specials were definitely notable events. In the days without VCRs, you really didn’t want to miss them. They are so much better than the CG junk of today. Sorry, but that’s how I see it.
im upset when i read your comment the VCR was in blue with a magnifying glass next to it( which essentially means search) how come VCRs Aren’t used anymore?????😢😢😢
@@shaybrew Low resolution. Really BAD resolution actually. Which is why movie theatres were attended more years ago. You don't need 4K, but 320 x 200 old broadcast TV and VCR was really crap. 16mm movies were better.
@@patrickmurphy3179 When family is all dead and gone you have memories. Some things trigger beautiful memories. As you get older you will come to cherish and seek out those triggers.
Year without a Santa was always my favorite, I loved the Miser brothers. I remember as a kid looking through the TV Guide trying to find when these specials were on. We didn't have on demand, DVR or VHS. Sometimes there would be a Christmas party and it would get missed, if you missed it you wouldn't see it for an entire year. These specials were one of my very favorite memories of my childhood. Thank you for this video.
Absolutely agree with you! I wish networks would only play them once! It seemed to slow the world down when these would Come on because it was only on once and if you missed it you missed it.. also I felt angry with the people who stored them in an attic and allowed them to be destroyed! Like something was forever lost from my childhood.. but to their defense who knew back then how loved they would become..
The characters/character designs found in these specials are some of the most creative and inspiring I’ve ever seen. When I heard that these puppets called Japan their home originally, I was not surprised at all. They have an almost Osamu Tezuka-like charm and depth to them that gives them so much potential for good storytelling.
Fun Fact: The character designs of the Rankin and Bass characters were an inspiration for Brad Bird to design his characters in the first Incredibles movie
The Donner puppet was well cared for over the years by one of the original production team members. He was kind enough to let us take a picture with it. A great memory for someone who grew up loving this Christmas special.
I remember when I was kid I couldn't wait for Christmas to get here so I could watch Rudolph the red noise reindeer. I remember it came on a Friday night on CBS I think the first week in December. I loves that show, I don't think you never to old to love that show. Thank you sharing the story, I sure do wish we can live thar error again
I know Rankin Bass's animation could be a little stiff, but I've always loved the designs of the characters. There's just something super cute about them.
The stiffness was actually done intentionally to create a stylized look. As I understand, animation was shot two frames at a time instead of a smoother one frame at a time.
@@floppavevo5920 Right! Until LSuperSonicQ mentioned it, I hadn't realized the animation gave them the look of toys come to life. As a kid I did view them as toy-like and wanted to play with them.
Besides Rudolph, The Year Without a Santa Claus is most definitely a banger. The fact the Snow and Heat Misers didn't really get much screentime but remain the part people remember the most, shows just how iconic they are. At first at 17:14, I was like "Wait, why was the exhibit in Bermuda of all places?", but later realized upon research that Bermuda was where Arthur Rankin Jr. settled with his wife Olga Karlatos, and lived there for more than forty years. He chose to make it his home after arriving there on a stopover flight to London. He wanted to move there to produce stage shows, saying if he ran up Broadway and said he wanted to direct a play, he'd get looks but if he did it in Bermuda, they'd beg him. He also taught film and entertainment courses at Bermuda College and when he died in 2014, his body remained in Bermuda and was buried at the Holy Trinity Church cemetery.
They also made the commercials for the show in stop motion. Norelco electric razors and the announcers ( came riding out over the snow on electric razors )
I was born in 2001, but I remember being as young as 4 years old and watching these specials every single year. I loved them as a kid, but revisiting them as an adult just makes me appreciate them even more, and understand the immense talent and passion that went into making these memorable classics. I hope more and more of these puppets used surface, though that’s probably a long shot to ask for.
So glad you mentioned Romeo Muller. He was a neighbor of my grandparents living outside Alligerville NY and as a young teen I used to mow his grass in the Summer. A very nice man. Soft spoken and like to drive his white Caddy convertible. As a kid, he would bring a projector and show us all the Rankin Bass Christmas specials at the local fire house before they ever were on tv.
This video legitimately made me cry. To see all these puppets after production and taken care of after all these years is so heartwarming to see. I haven’t seen the Rudolph special in years but a huge portions of past Christmas’ as a kid were spent watching the special and having seen clips from it alone (especially the ending) brought a huge wave of nostalgic memories all at once. Hopefully if I ever go up to Georgia to see family again ill try and stop by the museum.
There’s something so bittersweet that the actors were given the characters and that they were often held near and dear until the passing of said actor. The idea that decades later these puppets are still loved is so bittersweet.
What a wonderful video, it’s nice knowing a Rudolph and Santa puppet each got saved and displayed. It’s genuinely saddening to me when stop motion puppets and animatronics ect end up being destroyed or lost somehow. Hopefully one day a Sam and Hermey puppet can each be found, hearing that they melted was heartbreaking
Hearing the story, while very saddening they were lost, I can understand the circumstances because it doesn't seem like it was something that happened with malicious intent or genuine neglect, it was just a honest mistake and not realizing what they were or more so what they would become. A lot of times back then and into the early 2000's a lot of the props in media productions were just props, no really thought given to them and ended up getting discarded. Hindsight is 20/20 While they would become lost they did serve the purpose of being part of Christmas for the family and personally, probably a better way to go being cherished all the way rather than being dumped into a landfill from the start and left to rot with the rest of societies filth.
I never saw those specials, but this story was really interesting, fascinating and a little melancholic. The idea of something having a limited lifespan or losing its shape over time really makes you think about life and stuff, or is that just me?
I was just a little girl, around four, the first time I saw “Rudolph” special. It was a time when you weren’t bombarded with Christmas movies, etc. My sister and I really looked forward to these programs. Bittersweet story of the puppets’ conditions and whereabouts. I wish The Smithsonian Institution would have seen the significance of saving these dear symbols of a much simpler time. So grateful that the movies still play each year! I still play the soundtrack to “Rudolf” each Christmas. Even the music was enchanting!
Same here, these stop motion films became such a huge part of my childhood which I will cherish forever. I'm 55 now and haven't gotten tired of watching the series.
The Rankin Bass Christmas specials were always my favorite Christmas movies and I feel like they are very underrated. Its nice to see that the Santa and Rudolph puppets got restored.
I wouldn’t say I’m a Rankin Bass fan but the Rudolph film has to be my favourite animated Christmas movie of all time, it’s amazing how something which was way before my time is still so magical and brings me such joy
I am 73 and my wife and I have watched Rudolph ever since we were children. We own a few Rodolph figurines and a set of 50th Anniversary plush Rudolph and Claris toys. Thank you for posting this.
I loved this movie as a little girl and i still do as an adult. I remember asking Santa for Rudolph (like an actual red nosed reindeer) and my mom told me that Santa said that he needed Rudolph so he gave me the movie cd and a Rudolph plushie that i still have to this day ❤ It breaks my heart to know that most of the puppets were left to rot.
Stop motion puppets have to be some of the greatest collection pieces to exist. They're all so unique and I honeslty hope to someday own one of the spongebob Christmas ones, especially spongebob himself. I'm actually thinking about making a copy to have on display, it's so upsetting to see old puppets in such bad shape but I'm glad they were able to be restored
Wow, what an amazing story. I feel privileged to have grown up with these revolutionary Christmas specials! So happy that they have found a proper place for their retirement. ❤️🎅🏼🦌
I found an abominable snowman figure loose at a thrift store, never thought I'd own anything rudolph related but he was a super cool find. Good quality too.
That’s so cool! It’s so funny because I’m especially attached to that character as when I was a kid I was absolutely obsessed with him. There was I time when I wanted to be him when I grew up lmao-
I remember when the Year Without a Santa Claus debuted in 1974. I was 5 years old. That's still my favourite. The Winter Warlock from Santa Claus is Coming to Town filled me with dread as a young child, but I loved them all, including some lesser known specials, like T'was the Night Before Christmas and Nestor the Long-Eared Donkey. Watching a selection of Rankin and Bass specials always put me in the Christmas spirit.
As an Atlantan, I’m glad to know Rudolph and Santa are in the Center for Puppetry Arts. It’s a great museum, home to a large collection of Muppets and other notable puppets.
I had the pleasure of visiting the Center about a month ago and seeing Rudolph and Santa in all their glory. It was definitely one of the highlights of my trip.
My Mom enjoyed this video with me, she grew up on Rankin Bass and adores stop motion and loves all the puppets from the old films. I grew up on all these and the 2D specials like the Hobbit and RoTK movies. It’s good to know there’s a community of people looking out for the puppets and even restoring them, it’s sad to hear that so many were destroyed or lost to time but at the same time its good to know that there’s potentially even more out there in private collectors hands or people directly related to those who worked at Rankin Bass. Especially it sounds like there could be more in Japan! I really hope the Miser Bros are still intact somewhere, seeing them restored would make both me and my Mom very happy.
I'm glad to hear that this isn't just another case of "it's garbage so we threw it away." So many movie props and so much media is destroyed afterward because it's no longer needed anymore. While nearly all of the puppets have been lost, they were lost due to age, not necessarily neglect. Nothing lasts forever, but it's good to hear that these at least stood a better chance.
awww that's great that we can hear a little bit about these puppets. I always loved these films :') while there are a lot of the other puppets weren't safe from being lost to time, I will remember them all for the wonderful memories that I received as a child.
I like all of the Rankin Bass specials but "A year without a Santa Claus" is also my favorite. I'm so glad the specials are aired this time of the year for a new generation.
Wow I am 16 years old and grew up going to the center for puppetry arts in Atlanta and seeing puppetry shows, doing their crafts and exploring their museum. Every single year we would always go out and see Rudolph around Christmas time and it is a truly amazing show. I remember seeing the actual tv special for the first time and thinking it was insane how identical it was to the puppet show. I watched this video and I had no clue the puppets were there so now we will have to go to Rudolph show again this Christmas!
These little guys gave so much joy to so many kids. They still do today. These Christmas Specials were the best thing for a little boy and girl to see on TV. The memories that these characters bring back, words don't do them justice. Hearing that musical "Special Presentation" on CBS made a kid drop in front of the TV and for the next 30 to 60 minutes just get lost in the moments.
Those Santa and Rudolph puppets are PRICELESS imo. I'm 52 and to this day still enjoy watching Rudolph just as much as ever! My kids born in the 90s weren't quite as thrilled as I still am for these classic Christmas shows. I had to be like, "boys, you're watching Rudolph whether you like it or not! And you'll enjoy it!! At least do it for me!" 😂
I’m 54 with kids in their 20’s. Rudolph came on tv a couple of weeks ago and I sat and watched it all by myself. Those Rankin Bass Christmas specials really do hold a special place in my heart. Reminds me of my childhood. And it’s true, kids today don’t understand having one chance to see something on tv and if you missed it, well there was always next Christmas -lol
@@44kickinit They bring back such memories. The kids nowadays have everything at their fingertips and it somehow makes it seem not so special. I remember being little telling my sister... " Hurry up! Rudolph's coming on now! And running to the tv...lol" We had that one chance a year , but we appreciated it more. How the Grinch Stole Christmas Is another one I still watch amd love so much. That's ok though... We'll just have to keep watching them ourselves 😊
I’m a 90s kid and watching these specials, always bring me so much happiness. Even as an adult today, I still watch them every season and sometimes throughout the year. It’s just something about a ranking bass Christmas special it just doesn’t feel like Christmas goes without watching them
I remember singing, "I'm Mr. White Christmas, I'm Mr. Snow. I'm Mr. White Christmas, I'm Mr. 40 below." And doing the dance. I couldn't have been 3 years old. Half a century later, making Christmas dinner I find myself singing. "I'm Mr. White Christmas, I'm Mr. Snow. I'm Mr. White Christmas, I'm Mr. 40 below." As I kick my feet.
this is what i thought about when i got hyperfixated on 'The Year Without A Santa Claus'. i went to go look at the soundtrack and realised they were just ripped from the special, and not any master recordings or anything, and it got me wondering whatever might've happened to them and other assets from the film like the puppets and whatnot. i remember seeing production images on Tumblr about the film's sequel made in 2008 like concept art and how the puppets were constructed and animated and it's pretty interesting!!
As someone who’s never seen these specials (due to not living in America) it’s interesting to hear about this stuff! Especially considering the song was one of the big facets of my childhood. Very cool video thank you for teaching me about these old puppets 👍
The idea of someone not knowing about these honestly blows my mind - that’s how huge they are here. Rudolph’s cute! If you’re a stopmotion fan, for sure check it out.
I was born in 64. These are part of my childhood. ❤️. Watched all these shows with my Dad. The Miser brothers is my favorite!! Every Christmas I walk around humming and singing their songs to myself. I still remember most of the words. Lol. 🌟🎄⛄️❄️.
Just being able to see the puppets brings back a lot of memories for me as a kid. I use to love watching those classic movies as a kid during Christmas time and still do to this day. Thank you for making this video and sharing all of this its really awesome.
I may have seen what's left of bumbles after he was left in a hot attic. Bumbles still looks like bumbles, he's in a box, but with this shocked expression on his face and all of his fur is melted flat. Neat to see these wonderful characters restored and on display, thanks for the video! 🌎
This is a wonderful video. I'm a huge fan of stop motion and really enjoyed learning about these films' history. I had no idea they were produced in Japan!
I have watched these shows for years. Berl Ives was the voice of Sam the Snowman and Fred Astaire was the voice of the mailman in Santa is Coming to town. Those are the only voices I can remember. Thank you for sharing how the puppets came to be. I was 9yrs old in 1964. I still enjoy watching the shows today
Amazing video. It breaks my heart to know most of the puppets didn’t survive, but I’m so glad we have a few that have been restored and cared for to be preserved for hopefully a long time to come. My favorite puppet designs other than Rudolph himself are King Moonracer and Topper the Penguin. I’m not optimistic about their fate especially since they’re both made almost entirely of clay, but I would love to be surprised someday.
I miss the old classic Christmas specials. Especially the one with the Heat Miser🔥 I'm 50 years old and can still remember the songs. I actually googled it yesterday ❤❤⛄⛄🔥🔥❄🌧🎅🤶🏻🧑🏼🎄🤶🏽
Aww Rudolph was my favorite as a kid and I still think the animation is so fascinating and fun to watch. It’s definitely a defining part of the holiday in my childhood so I’m happy that Rudolph and Santa are in a museum and preserved. I’m sad that Hermy melted. Even tho I thought he was so annoying lmao he’s definitely an iconic character and an original one at that so I hope a copy can be found someday and preserved for viewing, maybe also placed with a Santa and Rudolph
Are they not going talk about the fact that the LED in Rudolphs nose, was actually was a bulb from the creator of the LED. Not just that, IT WAS THE ACTUAL FIRST LED BULB EVER MADE, In Rudolph. Im surprised they didnt talk about this!
The stop motion specials have always fascinated me. Knowing the amount of work that went into the shows is really something else. I have everything on DVDs at this point and watch them every Christmas season as a tradition. I have definitely wondered about whatever happened to the pieces that were used to make these great shows. Thanks for the video! 👍😁
Once you brought up the Japanese side of the production I was hoping that at least some of the staff got to keep some of the puppets too - I’m so glad that turned out to be true and that they’re just as treasured over there! :’)
I loved and looked forward to the old Rankin Bass Christmas shows! Rudolph was my favorite! My dad left us a year after Rudolph was released, at that time everyone had a dad and kids would ask me why I didn't have a dad. I was a sensitive only child and from the first time I watched and saw how Rudolph was bullied and ran away I have have felt a deep connection, he was my hero! Weird, I know. 🙂I also related to and felt empathy for the misfit toys. The second year without my dad, he left my mom for another woman (scoundrel), we spent Christmas with my grandparents, they had a TV. We were all ready to watch Rudolph and just as it started I realized I had a stomach virus. I tried to wait for a commercial to go to the bathroom without much luck. I remember thinking I didn't care that I was sick, I needed to see Rudolph! We didn't have any way to rewind, record (no remotes either)or buy a copy, you saw it then or you had to wait until the next year. I am way older now but I still feel that magic every year, there's something very special about the puppets and the delivery. Japan made a lot of nice Christmas ornaments and props back then, it makes sense that the puppets were made there. I would love to own one, especially Rudolph! Since that is not possible I will cherish the creativity and the memories from days gone by, the better ones. Thank you for sharing the information and passion!!
I'm an animation nut, but I've never thought about the Rankin/Bass puppets or where they went. Maybe it's because of my nostalgia for these specials or the young age I was when I was introduced to them, but it never occurred to me these puppets continued to exist outside of their movies. I'm almost jittery learning some of them survived. This is incredible.
From a preservation standpoint there's certainly a degree of frustration here, but I dunno, I think it's really kind of sweet a bunch of these hugely iconic puppets just ended up as everyday decorations and being played with by kids related to the producers and all that. Sounds like a charmed life for the icons
I actually really liked hearing that, especially when you consider the alternative was being tossed at the end of production. They got to spend a few years being loved by some kids before living the rest of their lives behind glass.
exactly
@@gutts7433 You do dun know this ain't toy of the story right?
@@frailvoid5844 "Do dun"???
even feels like something the characters would’ve wanted:)
You know what’s really crazy?
According to a 2003 interview with composer Maury Laws, Rudolph was made to air TWICE.
Sorry I’m a little confused. Do you mean it was only supposed to air twice, or they remade the movie twice?
@@aimsanimations2905 It was only supposed to air twice
@@skittycecil9786 oh that’s really weird!
Imagine one of the most iconic xmas specials being aired only twice....thats crazy to think about. So glad that is not the case, because I love these animations.
@@magmaticbee9777 Same! It’s just not Christmas without some good ol’ Rankin/Bass.
i'm a huge rankin bass fan and i've always been fascinated with the production of these films, the first time i saw the antiques roadshow video my heart broke into a million pieces hearing that all those characters melted in his attic... if only they could've been saved and restored like santa and rudolph were
THEY MELTED :(
It makes me so sad that Yukon Cornelius melted
Applebloom pfp I love it!
Wait what?! Please tell me nestor the long eared Christmas donkey didn't get melted
@@seliphsnom2596 that was a later one the puppets were probably given to employees in japan and lost over time but who knows maybe they'll be found someday
As an old man nearing 60, I remember these specials so fondly. I thought my adult children had seen all of these....to my surprise they hadn't. My 30 year old daughter and I just sat down on Christmas night with a cup of coffee by the fireplace and watched Santa Claus is coming to town. I told her how her uncle and I wouldn't miss these shows each year and how a feeling of sadness would come over us at the end of each one. As we finished watching that old familiar feeling came over me as S.D. Kluger turns the mail truck towards the North Pole at the end..... but it was magical to share it with her.
that feeling of sadness was real !
Yes! They were wonderful and meaningful shows, times have changed.
You're nott old - 60 is the new 40!
It's ALWAYS great sharing fond memories of our childhood with our kids! One day we'll be gone and those memories will forever be with them, even when you can't.
What's this 'Old man" stuff?
I remember planning my whole day around what Christmas special was airing that night. If u missed it that year, you were out of luck until next Christmas.
Oh my God, when I heard the puppets were donated to a puppetry museum I got chills and teared up... I'm so glad these iconic pieces will be available for anyone to see!!
I’m so glad the person who purchased them were kind enough to donate them. A lot of collectors keep them all to themselves.
Same here, so sad these days collectors hold so much historical items.
It's really a shame about Yukon though :(
Same
@@skedizzle I’ll always remember him tasting that pickaxe for gold. “Ah Nothing!”
I wonder if replicas will ever be made of all the popular stop-motion puppets that were used for those old movies. I mean, extremely accurate replicas that I’d jump through walls out of excitement trying to get them lmao
I'd love to have a mass-produced 1:1 replica of Jack Skellington.
I would buy one in a heartbeat! Rankin Bass was a part of my childhood.
I know there is someone on UA-cam making Rudolph puppet replicas. I think they look fairly accurate for what they are.
There technically is, there was a 4D remake of the movie (basically stop motion but with more special affects and such) idk what happened to the puppets tho
@@otaking3582Me too!
it breaks my heart that the puppets melted away considering how much time the puppet makers spent on those and the memories they created. It would be great for future stop-motion animators to see. even the japanese paper in santa's boots was quite interesting
It was just one random deer
Do the toy story 3
@@rynestanley9832 It was multiple reindeer, and two main characters: Hermey the Elf, and Yukon Cornelius
@@CecilCeceRobert The reindeer and original Santa are on display in Japan. Where the special was produced
I wish the Snowman and Clarisse had survived and of course Hermie, the Abominable and Yukon. ALL OF THEM are so dear to my heart! I was 3 when the first show aired.
That's awesome that the one buyer donated them to a museum to share them with everybody, after they spent a massive amount of money ($368,000) on them! AND that person remained anonymous, even though they did the public a huge service and deserved to be thanked. Whoever you are, thank you. Somebody else probably would've kept them in a private collection, never to be seen again for another few decades probably. Thankfully they got into the right hands of a genuine humble person who wanted to share them with everyone who adores these special characters.
The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta actually secured a license to make a full-sized puppet show adaptation of the TV special. The puppets are much larger, obviously (including a 7-foot-tall Bumble), but the designs are all based off the original puppets.
He took Indiana jones' advice
You’re so naive! There’s people out there that were born into wealth and for them $365K is nothing! It’s like me giving a dime to transient person, am I some kind of hero too? Sure, they could be like trump and brag about the donation, but it must be an actual billionaire with zero interest for attention. It’s time we stop putting people born into wealth on a pedestal! We’re not talking about some old grandma selling her home to buy those puppets and share them with the world hahahaha
That will be wonderful to watch!
so how do you poop without a bumhole?
Yea I like when collectors donate to museums, it gives the items a new purpose, and the history they hold doesn't just sit in a private collection being forgotten.
I remember being a bullied kid, empathizing and sympathizing with Rudolph. He was my favorite reindeer, growing up. Every year, when I wrote Santa, I'd always write to Rudolph or asked about him. That was one of my favorite part of the holidays, growing up. It makes me glad that some of these puppets were found and restored. It really is like seeing old friends.
Me too; Rudolph was my "Spirit Animal"
I loved Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey SO MUCH!
Same- I always hated how the Coach didn’t stick for him either.
Saddly Bass just passed away this week. I grew up watching all those shows. So did my son. They are timeless.
RIP, you brought a lot of joy into this world.
Bass actually passed in October. They only brought it up in December because of his animations
Well… we all die sometime. Funny how everyone thinks death is avoidable, yet if you’re ever born, it’s certain you will die!
I make replicas of the Rudolph puppets. I hope to make more of the Rankin/Bass characters. I have found some very interesting facts about the puppets. One of my favorite discoveries is that the surviving Santa on antiques roadshow is actually a photo puppet made for magazine photos. The same could be said for the melted Sam and Hermey. The real screen used Santa is in Japan shown off at the Tadahito Mochinaga exhibition with the Reindeer from Rudolph.
:00 interesting!!
Do you sell those replicas or are they for your private collection? If you do sell them I would love to buy one :)
I am amazed by the work you do, just being 18 years old. Keep it up!
@@Vampirekittreal I don't know about that. Maybe one day.
@@crocomallow your kind words really mean so much to me!! I've been a fan of the Rankin/Bass specials since I was a toddler. As I got older, I started to become fascinated with the process of the animation itself. I too would like to work in the stop motion industry one day. Would love to share more on the new discoveries being made in the Rankin/Bass community. Maybe I'll make a video some time.
These shows were so special to me as a 70s child. They ran them once on TV before Christmas and if you missed it you missed it. Well, I never missed it. Thanks to all these great people for putting these productions together.
Merry Christmas 2024
Yes, it was an event! We had our baths, got in our jammies, and had hot cocoa with the show. Great memories! 🥰
So true! ..Finding these specials listed in the "TV Guide" was the best!! Usually ABC, I think? 8pm!
I’m 62. These shows were a part of my upbringing. Still watch, every Christmas.
I'm 56 and yep same here watching them every single year. It was definitely our childhood
And they still bring back those magical days, if only for a few minutes. I'm 61, I still love this story. ❤🎄
Same. We bought all the dvds 20 years ago.
@gregoryquint7653 the best ever!
Same ❤
I ❤ that the final owner donated them instead of putting profit first.
Rankin and bass didn't donate anything Apple Inc owns them.
Crapple 🤮
@@johnpatrick9552 That's what I call them too. 🤣
I don't know how or why, but I got emotional finding out that some of these puppets have resurfaced and are taken care of and so loved. It really is like finding old friends. Sure, they've aged, but that same spirit is within them. This really made my Christmas!
It made mine too!
Same! ❤
It's january, but as a lover of puppetry and practical effects, I got emotional knowing so many still exist (was heart broken over the set in the attic, but bless their hearts, they had no idea).
@@HarleyQuinn-gu1knin this very video, the man who brought the puppets forward said the same exact thing, that thanks to his mom they melted. Makes me wonder if they threw ‘em away after that? Would’ve been nice to at least have their remains…
I got emotional when I saw that someone bought them for almost 400k anonymously and donated them to a museum
I was born in 64 .
I grew up as a kid watching these shows every christmas .
it wouldn't seem like christmas without them .
thank you for bringing this to those who find it nestagic .
it's American history .
Nostalgic
Me too 😊
@@KeenKoala115 I hate nostalgia. It always makes me cry
Me too, born in 64, Watched them every year
Same, and agree 100% ❤
The Miser Brothers would be the holy grail of remaining puppets to locate!
I’m very happy that the two puppets got restored and are currently held in a museum on display
They are at Atlanta puppet museum, I saw them.
@@jeremyclark5586that’s awesome
They are special. No doubt about it. I was born in 1963 and grew up with them. Before cable and the creation of VHS tape and DVD's they were played just once a year. It was a huge event when they were aired on TV. You never missed it.
'63 here too (March) & you're exactly right! It was always an awesome night, the family sitting around the TV waiting for these Christmas specials to start.
May of 1963 here! I never missed these shows and I have loved them all of my 60 years so far! So special!
@@munkustrap2 Now you can watch them all year long, times have certainly changed.
my mom was born in the early 60s and she told me this the other day while we were watching christmas specials together. she said that if you missed it, you missed it. you wouldn’t see it again until the next year
It's not Christmas without these specials.
I’m sad to see the attic puppets like hermy and Cornelius gone but I’m happy to see the puppets we still have
They could very well still exist somewhere, as multiple puppets were made. The ones that melted in the attic were not the only version that existed.
It's was just a deer
@@rynestanley9832 Hermey and Cornelius were not deer.
@@rynestanley9832I saw you saying this on two comments now like damn who hurt you
@@earthwormlen36 the deer hurt him, clearly.
Those Christmas specials made me love stop motion!
Wow I didn’t expect to see you here!
Just like Clash of the Titans and Jason and the Argonauts.
A woman in my neighborhood has all the characters from Rudolph as lawn decorations she puts out for Christmas. It’s amazing.
Do you know where she got them?
I cant imagine anyone,even back in the 60's or 70's not realizing how special these puppets were. They are works of art. Had i been the appraiser on the antiques roadshow I would have tried to buy the puppets. Im glad the guy who bought them put them in a museum so they can bring happiness to the world.
As an aspiring animator. I’m so glad that the main puppets were restored, but really upset that the other puppets did not survive the attic. Hearing that felt like hearing about an old friend that had passed away.
I just saw Donner in the Castle Museum in Wisconsin..
Really irresponsible from a „former secretary” that should have known about their conditions after working in the studios…
If you know Jules Rankin, you know he has no f**ks to give. He really doesn't care.
@@TheKitchenerLeslie Any reasoning you're saying this? Sources?
@@SorrowAvenue Mario Cantone is a friend of his and he talked about how little he cares about the industry when he was on Gilbert Gottfried's podcast. I get the feeling he's the type who lives in the moment and lets the past go.
I remember hearing about the Rudolph and Santa puppets being found, but I didn’t realize so much work went into their discovery and restoration! This was an incredibly informative video-and timely too, both for the holiday season and in light of Jules Bass’s death in October.
I have a DVD set with some of the Rankin Bass shorts and some other specials (It has Rudolph, Santa Claus is coming to town, and Frosty the snowman, along with Little Drummer boy) I absolutely loved them as a kid, especially Rudolph and Santa Claus. It’s nice seeing the production of one of my childhood shorts.
The little drummer boy was always disturbing to me
omg I think I have that exact dvd set!
I have that set too!
Ah yes, the Christmas Classics DVD, disappointment in home video form. Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty are great, but why those other two that no one really cares about? Where's Year Without a Santa Claus or A Miser Brothers Christmas? There's another one that's even worse, claiming to have like 18 specials but only like 2 of them are actually classic and the rest just feels like "random stuff no one remembers that we also own the rights to and would give this DVD the illusion of greater value"
Rights holders can be such parasites man, imagine how awesome it would be to have
-Frosty
-Rudolph
-Santa Claus is Comin to Town
-Year Without a Santa Claus
-How the Grinch Stole Christmas
-A Charlie Brown Christmas
And like a dozen more I can't remember right now, all in one collection. This is why I look forward to when streaming services eventually merge into one massive service, so everything* will be available in one place
*excluding 90% of foreign films because, again, rights holders are parasites
I have that but as a kid I broke Santa Claus is coming to town
I'm so glad Rudolph and Santa were rescued and restored! My heart just broke when I heard about all those other precious pieces that had melted away and are gone forever😭 They're are like family to all of us that grew up with them!
So true!
Right? Shame on the guy’s mother for letting that happen. The world will end one day due to the stupidity of a few.
Especially Yukon Cornelius and the Misfit Toys!
@@virnan it never said anything about the misfit toys they could still be alive
@@depressed_pumpkin the misfit toys deserve their fate. Yukon was the only character who had the gumption to tackle the yeti and get put of there!!!!
Growing up in the 60s, those Christmas specials were definitely notable events. In the days without VCRs, you really didn’t want to miss them. They are so much better than the CG junk of today. Sorry, but that’s how I see it.
im upset when i read your comment the VCR was in blue with a magnifying glass next to it( which essentially means search) how come VCRs Aren’t used anymore?????😢😢😢
@@shaybrew Low resolution. Really BAD resolution actually. Which is why movie theatres were attended more years ago. You don't need 4K, but 320 x 200 old broadcast TV and VCR was really crap. 16mm movies were better.
I was born in the mid-60's and remember watching this every year. I still try to catch it when I can, and when I do I smile and laugh all over again.
You got to be kidding...this is sarcasm, right?
@@patrickmurphy3179
what do you mean…
I too was born early 60’s and my sisters and I would all be so excited every Christmas to watch Rudolph. Sweet memories.
@@patrickmurphy3179 When family is all dead and gone you have memories. Some things trigger beautiful memories. As you get older you will come to cherish and seek out those triggers.
@@keving1318 ???
Year without a Santa was always my favorite, I loved the Miser brothers. I remember as a kid looking through the TV Guide trying to find when these specials were on. We didn't have on demand, DVR or VHS. Sometimes there would be a Christmas party and it would get missed, if you missed it you wouldn't see it for an entire year. These specials were one of my very favorite memories of my childhood. Thank you for this video.
Absolutely agree with you!
I wish networks would only play them once!
It seemed to slow the world down when these would
Come on because it was only on once and if you missed it you missed it..
also I felt angry with the people who stored them in an attic and allowed them to be destroyed!
Like something was forever lost from my childhood..
but to their defense who knew back then how loved they would become..
The Miser brothers were my favorite too!!!🤗
@@terrasmiley7076agreed
The characters/character designs found in these specials are some of the most creative and inspiring I’ve ever seen. When I heard that these puppets called Japan their home originally, I was not surprised at all. They have an almost Osamu Tezuka-like charm and depth to them that gives them so much potential for good storytelling.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is actually an anime.
@@heavylobster4339 And, speaking of Tezuka, Frosty was animated by Mushi Productions!
Fun Fact: The character designs of the Rankin and Bass characters were an inspiration for Brad Bird to design his characters in the first Incredibles movie
The Donner puppet was well cared for over the years by one of the original production team members. He was kind enough to let us take a picture with it. A great memory for someone who grew up loving this Christmas special.
I remember when I was kid I couldn't wait for Christmas to get here so I could watch Rudolph the red noise reindeer. I remember it came on a Friday night on CBS I think the first week in December. I loves that show, I don't think you never to old to love that show. Thank you sharing the story, I sure do wish we can live thar error again
I love that they’re placed in a museum. They truly need to be preserved now
I know Rankin Bass's animation could be a little stiff, but I've always loved the designs of the characters. There's just something super cute about them.
Honestly, the stiffness was apart of the charm for me. Of course it wasn't perfect, but it was their style.
The stiffness was actually done intentionally to create a stylized look. As I understand, animation was shot two frames at a time instead of a smoother one frame at a time.
@@floppavevo5920 Right! Until LSuperSonicQ mentioned it, I hadn't realized the animation gave them the look of toys come to life. As a kid I did view them as toy-like and wanted to play with them.
@@Dallas_K Thank you for this information. That makes it even cooler.
Besides Rudolph, The Year Without a Santa Claus is most definitely a banger. The fact the Snow and Heat Misers didn't really get much screentime but remain the part people remember the most, shows just how iconic they are. At first at 17:14, I was like "Wait, why was the exhibit in Bermuda of all places?", but later realized upon research that Bermuda was where Arthur Rankin Jr. settled with his wife Olga Karlatos, and lived there for more than forty years.
He chose to make it his home after arriving there on a stopover flight to London. He wanted to move there to produce stage shows, saying if he ran up Broadway and said he wanted to direct a play, he'd get looks but if he did it in Bermuda, they'd beg him. He also taught film and entertainment courses at Bermuda College and when he died in 2014, his body remained in Bermuda and was buried at the Holy Trinity Church cemetery.
They also made the commercials for the show in stop motion.
Norelco electric razors and the announcers ( came riding out over the snow on electric razors )
I was born in 2001, but I remember being as young as 4 years old and watching these specials every single year. I loved them as a kid, but revisiting them as an adult just makes me appreciate them even more, and understand the immense talent and passion that went into making these memorable classics. I hope more and more of these puppets used surface, though that’s probably a long shot to ask for.
So glad you mentioned Romeo Muller. He was a neighbor of my grandparents living outside Alligerville NY and as a young teen I used to mow his grass in the Summer. A very nice man. Soft spoken and like to drive his white Caddy convertible. As a kid, he would bring a projector and show us all the Rankin Bass Christmas specials at the local fire house before they ever were on tv.
This video legitimately made me cry. To see all these puppets after production and taken care of after all these years is so heartwarming to see. I haven’t seen the Rudolph special in years but a huge portions of past Christmas’ as a kid were spent watching the special and having seen clips from it alone (especially the ending) brought a huge wave of nostalgic memories all at once. Hopefully if I ever go up to Georgia to see family again ill try and stop by the museum.
There’s something so bittersweet that the actors were given the characters and that they were often held near and dear until the passing of said actor. The idea that decades later these puppets are still loved is so bittersweet.
The men and women who created the puppets and animated them, do not get enough credit for all their long, hard work!
We do indeed remember them, and seeing them replayed over the years is a comfort.
What a wonderful video, it’s nice knowing a Rudolph and Santa puppet each got saved and displayed. It’s genuinely saddening to me when stop motion puppets and animatronics ect end up being destroyed or lost somehow.
Hopefully one day a Sam and Hermey puppet can each be found, hearing that they melted was heartbreaking
Hearing the story, while very saddening they were lost, I can understand the circumstances because it doesn't seem like it was something that happened with malicious intent or genuine neglect, it was just a honest mistake and not realizing what they were or more so what they would become.
A lot of times back then and into the early 2000's a lot of the props in media productions were just props, no really thought given to them and ended up getting discarded. Hindsight is 20/20
While they would become lost they did serve the purpose of being part of Christmas for the family and personally, probably a better way to go being cherished all the way rather than being dumped into a landfill from the start and left to rot with the rest of societies filth.
I never saw those specials, but this story was really interesting, fascinating and a little melancholic. The idea of something having a limited lifespan or losing its shape over time really makes you think about life and stuff, or is that just me?
It's not just you, it makes me sad knowing things lose their shape & just age & deteriorate 😥
@@amandamakin1542 imagine not seeing these u live under a rock Patrick star ass nigga
You must be younger than 35.
You should watch them, they're actually very good
I was just a little girl, around four, the first time I saw “Rudolph” special. It was a time when you weren’t bombarded with Christmas movies, etc. My sister and I really looked forward to these programs. Bittersweet story of the puppets’ conditions and whereabouts. I wish The Smithsonian Institution would have seen the significance of saving these dear symbols of a much simpler time. So grateful that the movies still play each year! I still play the soundtrack to “Rudolf” each Christmas. Even the music was enchanting!
I swear to God if they went on a tour with these puppets I WOULD GO!! They’re part of my childhood
Same here, these stop motion films became such a huge part of my childhood which I will cherish forever. I'm 55 now and haven't gotten tired of watching the series.
The Rankin Bass Christmas specials were always my favorite Christmas movies and I feel like they are very underrated. Its nice to see that the Santa and Rudolph puppets got restored.
I wouldn’t say I’m a Rankin Bass fan but the Rudolph film has to be my favourite animated Christmas movie of all time, it’s amazing how something which was way before my time is still so magical and brings me such joy
I'd really love to see the Miser brothers found. Year without a Santa Claus has been my favorite Christmas special since I was a lil kid
I am 73 and my wife and I have watched Rudolph ever since we were children. We own a few Rodolph figurines and a set of 50th Anniversary plush Rudolph and Claris toys.
Thank you for posting this.
I loved this movie as a little girl and i still do as an adult. I remember asking Santa for Rudolph (like an actual red nosed reindeer) and my mom told me that Santa said that he needed Rudolph so he gave me the movie cd and a Rudolph plushie that i still have to this day ❤ It breaks my heart to know that most of the puppets were left to rot.
Stop motion puppets have to be some of the greatest collection pieces to exist. They're all so unique and I honeslty hope to someday own one of the spongebob Christmas ones, especially spongebob himself. I'm actually thinking about making a copy to have on display, it's so upsetting to see old puppets in such bad shape but I'm glad they were able to be restored
@AKPlush ?
@Mr. Kamishiro I have a SpongeBob one for sale. Pm me for details
@@dangelosmith4966 what's your @? Do you have instagram
@@dangelosmith4966 how did you aquire spongebob? I'd love to know more and see if I could buy him from you
Wow, what an amazing story. I feel privileged to have grown up with these revolutionary Christmas specials! So happy that they have found a proper place for their retirement. ❤️🎅🏼🦌
I found an abominable snowman figure loose at a thrift store, never thought I'd own anything rudolph related but he was a super cool find. Good quality too.
That’s so cool! It’s so funny because I’m especially attached to that character as when I was a kid I was absolutely obsessed with him.
There was I time when I wanted to be him when I grew up lmao-
Till this day, I love watching these Christmas films…brings back memories.
I remember when the Year Without a Santa Claus debuted in 1974. I was 5 years old. That's still my favourite.
The Winter Warlock from Santa Claus is Coming to Town filled me with dread as a young child, but I loved them all, including some lesser known specials, like T'was the Night Before Christmas and Nestor the Long-Eared Donkey. Watching a selection of Rankin and Bass specials always put me in the Christmas spirit.
As an Atlantan, I’m glad to know Rudolph and Santa are in the Center for Puppetry Arts. It’s a great museum, home to a large collection of Muppets and other notable puppets.
I had the pleasure of visiting the Center about a month ago and seeing Rudolph and Santa in all their glory. It was definitely one of the highlights of my trip.
It’s great that these have been preserved. Especially these two! Just sucks the others are gone 😔
Donner is in the Castle Museum in Wisconsin. I saw him there last month.
My Mom enjoyed this video with me, she grew up on Rankin Bass and adores stop motion and loves all the puppets from the old films. I grew up on all these and the 2D specials like the Hobbit and RoTK movies.
It’s good to know there’s a community of people looking out for the puppets and even restoring them, it’s sad to hear that so many were destroyed or lost to time but at the same time its good to know that there’s potentially even more out there in private collectors hands or people directly related to those who worked at Rankin Bass. Especially it sounds like there could be more in Japan!
I really hope the Miser Bros are still intact somewhere, seeing them restored would make both me and my Mom very happy.
One of my all time favorite Christmas movies. I have nearly all the characters set up every year on a shelving unit.
I'm glad to hear that this isn't just another case of "it's garbage so we threw it away." So many movie props and so much media is destroyed afterward because it's no longer needed anymore. While nearly all of the puppets have been lost, they were lost due to age, not necessarily neglect. Nothing lasts forever, but it's good to hear that these at least stood a better chance.
awww that's great that we can hear a little bit about these puppets. I always loved these films :') while there are a lot of the other puppets weren't safe from being lost to time, I will remember them all for the wonderful memories that I received as a child.
I love Rankin Bass so much, it’s amazing how these things can be restored
I like all of the Rankin Bass specials but "A year without a Santa Claus" is also my favorite. I'm so glad the specials are aired this time of the year for a new generation.
Wow I am 16 years old and grew up going to the center for puppetry arts in Atlanta and seeing puppetry shows, doing their crafts and exploring their museum. Every single year we would always go out and see Rudolph around Christmas time and it is a truly amazing show. I remember seeing the actual tv special for the first time and thinking it was insane how identical it was to the puppet show. I watched this video and I had no clue the puppets were there so now we will have to go to Rudolph show again this Christmas!
These little guys gave so much joy to so many kids. They still do today. These Christmas Specials were the best thing for a little boy and girl to see on TV. The memories that these characters bring back, words don't do them justice. Hearing that musical "Special Presentation" on CBS made a kid drop in front of the TV and for the next 30 to 60 minutes just get lost in the moments.
tbh it makes me happy that they got restored
Those Santa and Rudolph puppets are PRICELESS imo. I'm 52 and to this day still enjoy watching Rudolph just as much as ever! My kids born in the 90s weren't quite as thrilled as I still am for these classic Christmas shows. I had to be like, "boys, you're watching Rudolph whether you like it or not! And you'll enjoy it!! At least do it for me!" 😂
I’m 54 with kids in their 20’s. Rudolph came on tv a couple of weeks ago and I sat and watched it all by myself. Those Rankin Bass Christmas specials really do hold a special place in my heart. Reminds me of my childhood. And it’s true, kids today don’t understand having one chance to see something on tv and if you missed it, well there was always next Christmas -lol
@@44kickinit They bring back such memories. The kids nowadays have everything at their fingertips and it somehow makes it seem not so special. I remember being little telling my sister... " Hurry up! Rudolph's coming on now! And running to the tv...lol" We had that one chance a year , but we appreciated it more. How the Grinch Stole Christmas Is another one I still watch amd love so much. That's ok though... We'll just have to keep watching them ourselves 😊
I’m a 90s kid and watching these specials, always bring me so much happiness. Even as an adult today, I still watch them every season and sometimes throughout the year. It’s just something about a ranking bass Christmas special it just doesn’t feel like Christmas goes without watching them
I remember singing, "I'm Mr. White Christmas, I'm Mr. Snow. I'm Mr. White Christmas, I'm Mr. 40 below." And doing the dance. I couldn't have been 3 years old. Half a century later, making Christmas dinner I find myself singing. "I'm Mr. White Christmas, I'm Mr. Snow. I'm Mr. White Christmas, I'm Mr. 40 below." As I kick my feet.
Thank you for sharing that fun moment of joy and Christmas in your heart,home ,and your family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this is what i thought about when i got hyperfixated on 'The Year Without A Santa Claus'. i went to go look at the soundtrack and realised they were just ripped from the special, and not any master recordings or anything, and it got me wondering whatever might've happened to them and other assets from the film like the puppets and whatnot.
i remember seeing production images on Tumblr about the film's sequel made in 2008 like concept art and how the puppets were constructed and animated and it's pretty interesting!!
As someone who’s never seen these specials (due to not living in America) it’s interesting to hear about this stuff! Especially considering the song was one of the big facets of my childhood. Very cool video thank you for teaching me about these old puppets 👍
U live under a rock nigga
You can actually watch a few of them on UA-cam. Please watch!
The idea of someone not knowing about these honestly blows my mind - that’s how huge they are here. Rudolph’s cute! If you’re a stopmotion fan, for sure check it out.
I was born in 64. These are part of my childhood. ❤️. Watched all these shows with my Dad. The Miser brothers is my favorite!! Every Christmas I walk around humming and singing their songs to myself. I still remember most of the words. Lol. 🌟🎄⛄️❄️.
Just being able to see the puppets brings back a lot of memories for me as a kid. I use to love watching those classic movies as a kid during Christmas time and still do to this day. Thank you for making this video and sharing all of this its really awesome.
I may have seen what's left of bumbles after he was left in a hot attic. Bumbles still looks like bumbles, he's in a box, but with this shocked expression on his face and all of his fur is melted flat. Neat to see these wonderful characters restored and on display, thanks for the video! 🌎
Rankin bass is nostalgic towards me. I'd always watch these movies during Christmas time with my family when I was younger. Still do to this day.
Those christmas movies are dead-ass nostalgic I had Rudolph on DVD. 😂❤️💯
This is a wonderful video. I'm a huge fan of stop motion and really enjoyed learning about these films' history. I had no idea they were produced in Japan!
Love these TV specials and still do ❤. I grew up watching them.Rankin bass really gave kids like me awesome memories 😊
I have watched these shows for years. Berl Ives was the voice of Sam the Snowman and Fred Astaire was the voice of the mailman in Santa is Coming to town. Those are the only voices I can remember. Thank you for sharing how the puppets came to be. I was 9yrs old in 1964. I still enjoy watching the shows today
Amazing video. It breaks my heart to know most of the puppets didn’t survive, but I’m so glad we have a few that have been restored and cared for to be preserved for hopefully a long time to come.
My favorite puppet designs other than Rudolph himself are King Moonracer and Topper the Penguin. I’m not optimistic about their fate especially since they’re both made almost entirely of clay, but I would love to be surprised someday.
I miss the old classic Christmas specials. Especially the one with the Heat Miser🔥 I'm 50 years old and can still remember the songs. I actually googled it yesterday ❤❤⛄⛄🔥🔥❄🌧🎅🤶🏻🧑🏼🎄🤶🏽
The Year Without a Santa Claus, one of my favourites. You can get it on DVD.
Aww Rudolph was my favorite as a kid and I still think the animation is so fascinating and fun to watch. It’s definitely a defining part of the holiday in my childhood so I’m happy that Rudolph and Santa are in a museum and preserved. I’m sad that Hermy melted. Even tho I thought he was so annoying lmao he’s definitely an iconic character and an original one at that so I hope a copy can be found someday and preserved for viewing, maybe also placed with a Santa and Rudolph
I watched these live when they first aired, now i make sure my Grandkids watch them with me,, need to keep the shows alive ,
Lovely documentary. Reminds me of Chorlton and the Wheelies, Cosgrove Hall animation
I just got a heap of nostalgia from this video, it's absolutely insane how much I love these christmas specials. ❄️⛄
The two Rankin Bass x mas films were absolutely magical on the level of Walt Disney’s work.
There was more than two.
@@MilwaukeeF40C two? nestor the christmas donkey is still my favorite. his name was Nestor, yes sir.
Are they not going talk about the fact that the LED in Rudolphs nose, was actually was a bulb from the creator of the LED. Not just that, IT WAS THE ACTUAL FIRST LED BULB EVER MADE, In Rudolph. Im surprised they didnt talk about this!
Woahhh I didn’t know that!
after doing a little looking this doesn't appear to be true
@@ENTE_Dawwwww. That’s too bad. Thanks for following up.
Brings back pure and innocent childhood Christmas memories along with a timeless moral message.
*Rudolph could have become an estranged incel
These shows were and still are the BEST shows on TV...EVER!!!
The stop motion specials have always fascinated me. Knowing the amount of work that went into the shows is really something else. I have everything on DVDs at this point and watch them every Christmas season as a tradition. I have definitely wondered about whatever happened to the pieces that were used to make these great shows. Thanks for the video! 👍😁
Once you brought up the Japanese side of the production I was hoping that at least some of the staff got to keep some of the puppets too - I’m so glad that turned out to be true and that they’re just as treasured over there! :’)
I grew up with these specials! I didn’t expect it but during the restoration section of this video, I started to tear up.
Finally somebody’s talking about the history of of this company!
I loveeeeeeee these specials, it’s not Christmas until I watch them. I wish they were shown more often 😢
I loved and looked forward to the old Rankin Bass Christmas shows! Rudolph was my favorite! My dad left us a year after Rudolph was released, at that time everyone had a dad and kids would ask me why I didn't have a dad. I was a sensitive only child and from the first time I watched and saw how Rudolph was bullied and ran away I have have felt a deep connection, he was my hero! Weird, I know. 🙂I also related to and felt empathy for the misfit toys.
The second year without my dad, he left my mom for another woman (scoundrel), we spent Christmas with my grandparents, they had a TV. We were all ready to watch Rudolph and just as it started I realized I had a stomach virus. I tried to wait for a commercial to go to the bathroom without much luck. I remember thinking I didn't care that I was sick, I needed to see Rudolph! We didn't have any way to rewind, record (no remotes either)or buy a copy, you saw it then or you had to wait until the next year.
I am way older now but I still feel that magic every year, there's something very special about the puppets and the delivery. Japan made a lot of nice Christmas ornaments and props back then, it makes sense that the puppets were made there. I would love to own one, especially Rudolph! Since that is not possible I will cherish the creativity and the memories from days gone by, the better ones.
Thank you for sharing the information and passion!!
I'm an animation nut, but I've never thought about the Rankin/Bass puppets or where they went. Maybe it's because of my nostalgia for these specials or the young age I was when I was introduced to them, but it never occurred to me these puppets continued to exist outside of their movies. I'm almost jittery learning some of them survived. This is incredible.