I have watched this Christmas special since the first year it came out. I was 6 years old. I don't believe I've ever missed a single year without seeing it. Now 63, I still get excited when I see the show will be coming on weeks before Christmas. It is the single event that signals to me that Christmas is coming. It was an important part of my childhood and even now becoming a senior.
I was 4 when this premiered and looked forward to it every year. My favorite of all the Christmas specials. And now 50 plus years later I’m playing Sam the Snowman in the stage version. This is such a beloved part of my childhood and I’m thrilled it’s still so popular.
I was a couple of years old when it came out, I have not missed one year of enjoying the show. Christmas season doesn't start for me until I get to watch Rudolph! I absolutely adore it !!!
Thank you for this. Even at 48 years of age this cartoon means so much to me. Thank God Burl Ives was included as well. Hearing his voice and seeing the cartoon instantly takes me back to my childhood. And Paul Soles (Hermie) is still alive, aged 90, for anyone who may be wondering.
While working at computer store in mid 2000s, Paul Soles called to inquire about getting his Mac computer repaired. We ended up speaking for better part of hour. I was so jazzed up because he was voice of Spiderman that I forgot to ask him about voicing Hermie.
unfortunately this year Paul Soles (Who voiced Hermey the Dentist) died at a ripe old age of 90 along side with Alfie Scopp who is the only Centenarian among the cast
@@alexanderip1003 yeah I found out about both recently. It's sad but, at 90 and a 101 they lived long lives and left behind a little something that means a lot to millions of people. I think Corinne Conely (the doll) is the only one left. She'll be 93 in May.
An absolute icon of years past, the joy when we would scan the TV guide to find Rudolph was going to be on...it was the talk at school, and everyone took a timeout to stay home with family and watch... Now I do the same with my Kids and grandkids... A absolute treasure
I'm a year older than the Rudolph special and have watched it several times a year since it originally aired- the talent that was brought to the project was like lightning striking- everything worked out perfectly to create the ultimate Christmas 🎄 classic
This was great to see how this timeless special came to be. I have watched this at least once every year since I was a little boy. Grew up watching it with my mom, who grew up watching it herself in the 60s and 70s. I owe my absolute love of Christmas and child like enthusiasm to her. Now my wife and I watch with our soon to be 5 year old little boy every year. It’s become a Christmas Eve tradition.
This special was always a favorite of mine, and I guess it’s also one reason I’m into Japanese technology and artistry. (It was produced in Japan, after all.) No one can do a better “Holly Jolly Christmas” than Burl Ives, whose storytelling was heartwarming and friendly.
I was 2 when it first debut. It has been one of my favorites. I watch it every year and I am 58. Lol. My other favorite is "the year without a santa claus
I have been watching this every year that it's been on TV in fact I enjoy watching all of Rankin and Bass holiday movies. Thank you for the story behind the story
Very interesting, especially the origin and history of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I probably saw this when it first showed (at age 8), and it's on now - came on after the news, else I'd have missed it. In second grade, I saw photos of "futuristic TVs that would hang on the wall like a picture" and am watching this on one of them.. a lot of water under the bridge since then.
As a kid, I had this on VHS. We watched it a LOT. Sometimes even not at Christmas. We had the “Fame and Fortune” version. I never knew about the “We’re a couple of misfits” version or the peppermint mine until years into my adulthood. Pretty cool to know there’s the original uncut version available now.
The animated figures were on display for years as a part of the NBC studio tour at 30 Rockefeller Center. As the initial run of the special was on NBC. Eventually GE bought NBC before selling the network to Comcast.
Terrific video and info, thank you! I spent this Christmas buying older-manufacture figures to put all around my den, it has been so much fun (but a challenge to coordinate the scale between them, like with all miniatures!). Another appreciative viewer born roughly when it came out. :)
I’m glad they restored some of the original scenes in recent years. I just wanna know why a different puppet was used in the sequels. I get the feeling the original characters didn’t reappear because of licensing or something. Or not having the original voices to use later on. I’d like to see Charlie Brown behind the scenes too Montgomery Ward did Rudolph promotions again in I think the 90s, before they closed for good. I still remember the gift boxes you could get that had a Rudolph picture.
Still Watching in 2023 🤗 ... Love this Classic..Soo Iconic Enjoyed the Back Story 🎉🎉 Love Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer 🦌 Song an Stop/Start Animation ❤ ... Thank You enjoyed an *Merry Christmas Everyone an God Bless Us All* 🎄🙏🏼👍🏻
Rickbo's Rides, Thanks for your wonderful comment. I thought it was interesting that the horse created for "The New Adventures of Pinocchio" in the early 1960's at minute 4:17 looks a lot like "Bullseye" from "Toystory." Anyway thanks again.
Thee peppermint mine scene was supposed to be cut out to make room for the new end and because it made no sense to have that part in it because he really was after silver and gold.
I wish they would remake this in 3D. Keep the story and the textures the same, just bump up the color and refine the backgrounds a bit and it would be perfect. Well it's already perfect just a few tweaks!
I believe Gene Autry out the Rudolph song on the B-side of the single for his wife. And, of course, it became the smash hit of the single and not the song on the A-side.
And I remember seeing that GE commercial with the "Rudolph" characters. Was it actually a B&W commercial though? (we only had a B&W TV at the time, so I'd never have known the difference). Now, had Rankin/Bass been doing shows into the 80's, we could have seen an early Kyoto Animation working on them too.
Senile, Thanks so much for your comment. I originally created this video for our annual Christmas party. There was a lot of misinformation out there so I felt the need to do my own accurate video. I had no idea that this video would become as popular as it has. But the story does not end there. I also created, using video archives, a 1964 original "black and white" version of the program. Most people in 1964 had only a "black and white" TV at that time and the archives I have found were only in black and white. This video in not public so consider this an "Easter egg." This video is not exactly like it was in 1964 because: I don't know what order the original commercials were in, I have Santa going to the Island of misfit toys, I did not include the extended singing of "We are Santa's Elves," and I did not included the peppermint mine comment. However, I think you will enjoy this because it will give you a feeling of when you were a child growing up. So enjoy!! 1964 Version of Ruldolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with all the cool commercials. ua-cam.com/video/sZ2QCRFn02Y/v-deo.html&ab_channel=gregmoor1
Like others, I have always liked Rudolph and stop motion animation. I am trying to collect all Rankin Bass shows. Along with others. And I have always liked Burl Ives. I don't know if it was Rudolph that started my interest in him, or not. (I was 7 at the time) I'll watch any movie with him.
Sounds clear now. Information I didn’t know about it so thank you so much! We really enjoyed it. Went to check out her videos of so different. Was wondering if you do this kind of documentary stuff elsewhere? Don’t know if you ever listen to the kid to Alford Hitchcock‘s ghost stories for young people but it’s a favorite for so many people out there. For years I mean years I’ve been trying to surf out who the narrator was. A gentleman named John Allen. He did so many Disney golden records etc. He had such an influence on so many people but I can’t find a single thing about them on the Internet. Just saying, if you ever want to put your excellent skills to use… Merry Christmas
and each year CBS airs it earlier than the previous year. now it is airing before Thanksgiving. won't be long before it airs before Halloween. sad, commercialism doesn't save anything for the actual Christmas season.
Billie Mae Richards and Paul Kligman Played the great reindeer generation 2nd Generation Lead Reindeer-Donner 3rd Generation Lead Reindeer-Rudolph (the Youngest lead reindeer thanks to his red nose as a beacon)
Thanks for your comment: When I did the research for this video I found out the reason that Billie Mae Richards and other Canadian voices were so good is that they were doing radio soaps, sitcoms, and dramas long after the USA stopped doing them. The reason for this: it took longer for TV broadcasting companies to install transmitters to send TV signals into isolated areas of Canada. So for many more years, Canadians were still getting their entertainment from radio programs. Hence the great voices.
When i was a kid i always knew billie mae richards was the best voice actress for younger voices even boy voices for rudolph the red nosed reindeer while she was billy conner in spider man and a boy named billy bond in the king kong show and a newsboy in mighty thor and a school boy in the sub mariner and a boy named willy mcbean and in william mcbean and the magic machine and tom sawyer and chris in the undersea adventures of captain nemo and danny in the spirit of independence and as the first voice of tenderheart bear and the second voice of bright heart raccoon from the care bears and the seahorse from the never ending story 1995 cartoon and the toothbrush family and the marvel super heroes and the festival of family classics and the 1980's cartoon specials of clifford the big red dog.
You know what you can't enjoy, the DVD!! The DVD has the extended version of we are Santa's elves, (which you didn't cover). And also the peppermint mine scene. The extended version of we are Santa's elves was shortened in 1965 because it was too long. Also, the peppermint mine scene was cut out of the film due to a complaint to the company. It was replaced with the scene in where Santa rescues the misfit toys. These scenes were added in 1998 when Classic Media restored the special. I don't know why they would add those scenes. If we truly want to enjoy this movie now and for years to come. We need to stand up and write to the company that distributes this movie. Then we could truly enjoy such a wonderful classic.
I have watched this Christmas special since the first year it came out. I was 6 years old. I don't believe I've ever missed a single year without seeing it. Now 63, I still get excited when I see the show will be coming on weeks before Christmas. It is the single event that signals to me that Christmas is coming. It was an important part of my childhood and even now becoming a senior.
I'm 54. Still love it!
@@kallen868 Me too at 66. It's on TV now.. they just found out that Bumbles bounce.
I'm 56 And I still never missed it
I was 4 when this premiered and looked forward to it every year. My favorite of all the Christmas specials. And now 50 plus years later I’m playing Sam the Snowman in the stage version. This is such a beloved part of my childhood and I’m thrilled it’s still so popular.
Thank you,thank you,I'll be 60, Dec-27 and I never miss a Christmas without Rudolph.Thanks for the things I didn't know.Ok Rudolph, full power.
I was a couple of years old when it came out, I have not missed one year of enjoying the show. Christmas season doesn't start for me until I get to watch Rudolph! I absolutely adore it !!!
This is so interesting. If it weren't so meaningful we wouldn't care, but this show never stops touching people's hearts.
Rudolph was always my favorite Christmas icon
Thank you for this. Even at 48 years of age this cartoon means so much to me. Thank God Burl Ives was included as well. Hearing his voice and seeing the cartoon instantly takes me back to my childhood. And Paul Soles (Hermie) is still alive, aged 90, for anyone who may be wondering.
While working at computer store in mid 2000s, Paul Soles called to inquire about getting his Mac computer repaired. We ended up speaking for better part of hour. I was so jazzed up because he was voice of Spiderman that I forgot to ask him about voicing Hermie.
@@144wychwood I can only imagine. I would have geeked out. Lol!
Unfortunately Paul Soles did this past May, but I agree. I'm 30 and watching these with my Kids and nephew is a must every year.
unfortunately this year Paul Soles (Who voiced Hermey the Dentist) died at a ripe old age of 90 along side with Alfie Scopp who is the only Centenarian among the cast
@@alexanderip1003 yeah I found out about both recently. It's sad but, at 90 and a 101 they lived long lives and left behind a little something that means a lot to millions of people. I think Corinne Conely (the doll) is the only one left. She'll be 93 in May.
I'm never not amazed by the fact that US/Japan relations improved so much and so soon after WWII
If I were Japanese, I would have definitely held a grudge after that second atomic bomb.
Back when xmas seemed to take an eternity to get there......and you'd get off the bus before the xmas break and this would always be on that night.
An absolute icon of years past, the joy when we would scan the TV guide to find Rudolph was going to be on...it was the talk at school, and everyone took a timeout to stay home with family and watch... Now I do the same with my Kids and grandkids... A absolute treasure
This special debut the Christmas after I was born. I'm 56 years old and still get kick out of it. Very cool to hear the story behind it's making.
Now freeform owns it and show the additional scenes that CBS has been cutting out of for years but they still show it as a tradition
Kind miss Montgomery Wards. My favorite store. Thank you for share this video clip. Truly amazing Christmas tv show though yrs
I'm a year older than the Rudolph special and have watched it several times a year since it originally aired- the talent that was brought to the project was like lightning striking- everything worked out perfectly to create the ultimate Christmas 🎄 classic
Every single song is excellent. Character voices were perfect, just a magical ensemble. What a gem.
I grew up with this story.
This was great to see how this timeless special came to be. I have watched this at least once every year since I was a little boy. Grew up watching it with my mom, who grew up watching it herself in the 60s and 70s. I owe my absolute love of Christmas and child like enthusiasm to her. Now my wife and I watch with our soon to be 5 year old little boy every year. It’s become a Christmas Eve tradition.
This special was always a favorite of mine, and I guess it’s also one reason I’m into Japanese technology and artistry. (It was produced in Japan, after all.) No one can do a better “Holly Jolly Christmas” than Burl Ives, whose storytelling was heartwarming and friendly.
True timeless classic.!!
I was 2 when it first debut. It has been one of my favorites. I watch it every year and I am 58. Lol. My other favorite is "the year without a santa claus
I have been watching this every year that it's been on TV in fact I enjoy watching all of Rankin and Bass holiday movies. Thank you for the story behind the story
Very interesting, especially the origin and history of Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I probably saw this when it first showed (at age 8), and it's on now - came on after the news, else I'd have missed it. In second grade, I saw photos of "futuristic TVs that would hang on the wall like a picture" and am watching this on one of them.. a lot of water under the bridge since then.
Thank you Mr. May, well done...Love the DVD as a child would @ 71...
As a kid, I had this on VHS. We watched it a LOT. Sometimes even not at Christmas. We had the “Fame and Fortune” version. I never knew about the “We’re a couple of misfits” version or the peppermint mine until years into my adulthood. Pretty cool to know there’s the original uncut version available now.
The animated figures were on display for years as a part of the NBC studio tour at 30 Rockefeller Center. As the initial run of the special was on NBC. Eventually GE bought NBC before selling the network to Comcast.
This has always been a favorite of mine :)
Terrific video and info, thank you! I spent this Christmas buying older-manufacture figures to put all around my den, it has been so much fun (but a challenge to coordinate the scale between them, like with all miniatures!). Another appreciative viewer born roughly when it came out. :)
This is an excellent overview of a wonderful Christmas special. Thank you!
This is awesome. Thank you!
One small point. I believe that it’s “Yukon Cornelius” not “Yukorn.”
I personally think "Yukorn" is funny.
@@SuperMichael2003 Agreed.
@@SuperMichael2003 Yeah! LOL
It's actually cornholio
This was wonderful.. Thank you for creating and posting this video.
Great stuff...this IS the sign that Xmas is happening. I try to catch this show every year. It never gets old. It was A much better time.
This is so beautiful made, thank you so much Sir for uploading this beautiful video. God bless you
Thank you I enjoyed this immensely
I'm watching Rudolph right now with my kids 🙂 brings back so many memories I want to share with them ❤️😀
Awesome , thank you for this ...
I love this movie
I’m glad they restored some of the original scenes in recent years.
I just wanna know why a different puppet was used in the sequels. I get the feeling the original characters didn’t reappear because of licensing or something. Or not having the original voices to use later on.
I’d like to see Charlie Brown behind the scenes too
Montgomery Ward did Rudolph promotions again in I think the 90s, before they closed for good. I still remember the gift boxes you could get that had a Rudolph picture.
Still Watching in 2023 🤗 ...
Love this Classic..Soo Iconic
Enjoyed the Back Story 🎉🎉
Love Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer 🦌 Song an Stop/Start Animation ❤ ...
Thank You enjoyed an *Merry Christmas Everyone an God Bless Us All* 🎄🙏🏼👍🏻
This has all my answers! Thank you for showing everyone this!
You have a great speaking voice. hope all is well. subbed for updates.
Rickbo's Rides, Thanks for your wonderful comment. I thought it was interesting that the horse created for "The New Adventures of Pinocchio" in the early 1960's at minute 4:17 looks a lot like "Bullseye" from "Toystory." Anyway thanks again.
love this
Thanks, Happy Holidays.
Excellent!
Thee peppermint mine scene was supposed to be cut out to make room for the new end and because it made no sense to have that part in it because he really was after silver and gold.
Very informative - Great Job
Ripe age of five when this debuted!
Great video really nostalgic
Love this! thank you!
Damn Rudolph is that old
I wish they would remake this in 3D. Keep the story and the textures the same, just bump up the color and refine the backgrounds a bit and it would be perfect. Well it's already perfect just a few tweaks!
I love this video
never knew this! great back story!
Great stuff...historic....
Thank you, Greg. I take it, all the other Rankin Bass props are gone?...........Sad sad if they are. Like losing the Mona Lisa
I'm making replica Rudolph puppets on my UA-cam channel. I plan to make all of the characters. I already finished Newborn Rudolph!!!
Great video, thank you!☺️
I believe Gene Autry out the Rudolph song on the B-side of the single for his wife. And, of course, it became the smash hit of the single and not the song on the A-side.
And I remember seeing that GE commercial with the "Rudolph" characters. Was it actually a B&W commercial though? (we only had a B&W TV at the time, so I'd never have known the difference).
Now, had Rankin/Bass been doing shows into the 80's, we could have seen an early Kyoto Animation working on them too.
Senile, Thanks so much for your comment. I originally created this video for our annual Christmas party. There was a lot of misinformation out there so I felt the need to do my own accurate video. I had no idea that this video would become as popular as it has. But the story does not end there. I also created, using video archives, a 1964 original "black and white" version of the program. Most people in 1964 had only a "black and white" TV at that time and the archives I have found were only in black and white. This video in not public so consider this an "Easter egg." This video is not exactly like it was in 1964 because: I don't know what order the original commercials were in, I have Santa going to the Island of misfit toys, I did not include the extended singing of "We are Santa's Elves," and I did not included the peppermint mine comment. However, I think you will enjoy this because it will give you a feeling of when you were a child growing up. So enjoy!! 1964 Version of Ruldolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with all the cool commercials. ua-cam.com/video/sZ2QCRFn02Y/v-deo.html&ab_channel=gregmoor1
Like others, I have always liked Rudolph and stop motion animation. I am trying to collect all Rankin Bass shows. Along with others.
And I have always liked Burl Ives. I don't know if it was Rudolph that started my interest in him, or not. (I was 7 at the time) I'll watch any movie with him.
Great video
If only magic could feel like that again! 😪
Awesome thanks
John, Thanks for the comment. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
And as for the rest of the story he went down in history
The Yeti would literally scare the shit outta me as a kid.
Girl Version of Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer 👧🏻🦌🎀
Sounds clear now. Information I didn’t know about it so thank you so much! We really enjoyed it. Went to check out her videos of so different. Was wondering if you do this kind of documentary stuff elsewhere? Don’t know if you ever listen to the kid to Alford Hitchcock‘s ghost stories for young people but it’s a favorite for so many people out there. For years I mean years I’ve been trying to surf out who the narrator was. A gentleman named John Allen. He did so many Disney golden records etc. He had such an influence on so many people but I can’t find a single thing about them on the Internet. Just saying, if you ever want to put your excellent skills to use… Merry Christmas
and each year CBS airs it earlier than the previous year. now it is airing before Thanksgiving. won't be long before it airs before Halloween. sad, commercialism doesn't save anything for the actual Christmas season.
Clarice's dad Comet
WARM AND FUZZIES!!
5 people don't believe in santa....
Interesting
Billie Mae Richards and Paul Kligman Played the great reindeer generation
2nd Generation Lead Reindeer-Donner
3rd Generation Lead Reindeer-Rudolph (the Youngest lead reindeer thanks to his red nose as a beacon)
Billie Mae Richards passed away in 2010
And she seemed like such a kind women I mean she voiced in Care bears too
Thanks for your comment: When I did the research for this video I found out the reason that Billie Mae Richards and other Canadian voices were so good is that they were doing radio soaps, sitcoms, and dramas long after the USA stopped doing them. The reason for this: it took longer for TV broadcasting companies to install transmitters to send TV signals into isolated areas of Canada. So for many more years, Canadians were still getting their entertainment from radio programs. Hence the great voices.
There was a movie in 1948, don't forget that
It was a cartoon short by Max Fletcher. See video at 3:35. Thanks for your comment.
@@gregmoor1 ah, apologies I thought that was one from the 1990s.
Thanks for posting this, it’s very interesting! (FYI: You misspelled Rudolph’s name on this video. It’s Rudolph, not Rudolf.)
When i was a kid i always knew billie mae richards was the best voice actress for younger voices even boy voices for rudolph the red nosed reindeer while she was billy conner in spider man and a boy named billy bond in the king kong show and a newsboy in mighty thor and a school boy in the sub mariner and a boy named willy mcbean and in william mcbean and the magic machine and tom sawyer and chris in the undersea adventures of captain nemo and danny in the spirit of independence and as the first voice of tenderheart bear and the second voice of bright heart raccoon from the care bears and the seahorse from the never ending story 1995 cartoon and the toothbrush family and the marvel super heroes and the festival of family classics and the 1980's cartoon specials of clifford the big red dog.
1964
Are you familiar with the animated Rudolph movie from 1998? Or the CGI sequel to the original movie called "Rudolph and the Island of Misfit toys"?
✨😀🤗🎅🏻💖🦌🎄❄November 2021 TGIF, anyone.❄🎄🦌💖🎅🏻🤗😀✨
You know what you can't enjoy, the DVD!! The DVD has the extended version of we are Santa's elves, (which you didn't cover). And also the peppermint mine scene. The extended version of we are Santa's elves was shortened in 1965 because it was too long. Also, the peppermint mine scene was cut out of the film due to a complaint to the company. It was replaced with the scene in where Santa rescues the misfit toys. These scenes were added in 1998 when Classic Media restored the special. I don't know why they would add those scenes. If we truly want to enjoy this movie now and for years to come. We need to stand up and write to the company that distributes this movie. Then we could truly enjoy such a wonderful classic.