Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a stop-motion animation special produced by Rankin/Bass for NBC. It first aired on December 6, 1964 and was based on the song by Johnny Marks and loosley based on the short story by Robert L. May who, incedentily, was the brother-in-law of Marks.
The special began airing on CBS television in 1972 and is currently only one of four original CBS 1960's specials still airing annually.
The show's featured star was folk singer Burl Ives who voiced Sam the talking Snowman. It featured a musical score by Johnny Marks and a list of memorable songs by Burl Ives and chorus:
Jingle, Jingle, Jingle
We're a Couple of Misfits
*Fame and Fortune (which replaced Misfits in later versions)
There's always tomorrow
We are Santa's Elves
We're on the island of misfit Toys
Holly Jolly Christmas
Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer
Holly Jolly Christmas became a hit for Burl Ives while Mark's other standard, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree was used as a background instrumental piece for the show. Rudolph spun off a few sequels including Rudolph's Shiny New Year and Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July.
Here by request, is the opening 10 minutes of this show. Enjoy!
Love Burl Ives! I wish you had a video of this one on here!
And now I do.
It's great! Growing up in England, we didn't get most of this stuff. I love the Christmas seals - very clever - and the way the snowman looks like Burl Ives, with the little beard. Thanks for putting this on, Robby!
I guess I never thought about Christmas being different in the UK. Over here we have these sort of Dickensian visions of an English Christmas with snow-covered countrysides and the sounds of Coventry Carol ringing through the night. I suppose we go over board a bit here in America, lol.