ITF Read & Watch: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1939 story & 1964 film)

Everyone’s favorite beleaguered reindeer takes center-stage for
this holiday special, spanning from the original story to the
stop-motion animated classic. In episode 165, Luke & James
learn all about the tragic story of Robert L. May--the inventor
of a Christmas sensation that would go on to inspire
chart-topping singles and a Rankin/Bass animated film still
running to this day.

Topics: Difficult to please bosses at Montgomery Ward, a
songwriting brother-in-law, the reason for the melancholy, the
themes present in all versions, an 8-minute short that’s more
faithful to the source, a biopic in the making, how Gene Autry
came to record his iconic song, the fantasy world in the
Rankin/Bass production, a winged Aslan, Yukon Cornelius's mystery
gun, some real dastardly characters in unexpected places, a
change involving the Island of Misfit Toys, and a final vote on
which version of Rudolph works best!


 


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References:


NPR Article “Writing Rudolph”


Don’t Subject Your Kids to Rudolph


The Terrifying Philosophy of Rudolph


 


Music: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Remic (NON COPYRIGHT):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbSIJG-LeSU