Traditions and Trivia: Rudolph

In a previous Traditions and Trivia, you learned why Santa has reindeer.

In “Twas the Night Before Christmas” you learned the names of the eight reindeer who pull the sled as, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen.

However in 1939 a popular story hit the scene in coloring books at Montgomery Ward depicting an ‘Ugly-Duckling’ sort of reindeer named Rudolph who was bullied for his red nose.

Montgomery Ward employee Robert L. May created the reindeer’s story, and eventually was able to procure rights from his employers=.

According to altogetherchristmas.com, “Rudolph's popularity soared when May persuaded brother-in-law and songwriter Johnny Marks to create a song based on the story. In 1948 a nine minute cartoon, directed by Max Fleischer and featuring the song by Marks, was shown in theaters.”

That re-initiated popularity for the red-nosed reindeer, and “in 1949, the "Singing Cowboy" Gene Autry, with prodding from his wife, officially recorded the song. Autry's version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" sold 2 million copies in its first year and eventually became one of the best-selling songs of all time,” states alltogetherchristmas.com.

Autry’s version sealed the deal as far as adding Rudolph to the line-up of Santa Claus’ reindeer.

Rudolph continued to be popular in children’s eyes and the forever-popular stop-motion movie was made that depicts the reindeer’s life, as well as gives him friends on the Island of Misfit Toys, a love interest, as well as a few other Christmas favorites.

The movie is currently the longest running Christmas special in television.