The most famous Reindeer of All

]Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is an iconic figure at Christmas time. He dates back to 1939 when Montgomery Ward introduced Rudolph to us by way of Robert May, a Jewish Chicago copyrighter assigned to write a short book to give away as a Christmas promo.  Partially inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s story, The Ugly Duckling, May wrote the original story in rhyme about a deer with a red nose who sometimes got teased and always wanted to help Santa. I must have had a copy of that original book as a child because the illustrations are familiar. What a pity that I don’t still have it!

An Act of Kindness

During the project, May lost his wife to cancer but he finished the story because he “needed Rudolph more than ever.” A co-worker illustrated it and they presented it to the boss. The boss hesitated to accept the story about a deer with a red nose; he worried people would think the deer was a drunkard, but they printed it anyway. Perhaps his humanity won him over. Or perhaps he identified with the misfit deer. The bosses never thought Rudolph had potential as more than a holiday promotion, but the story was so popular that they printed over 2 million copies that year.

Meanwhile, May, drowning in his late wife’s medical debt and struggling to raise his young daughter, went to Ward’s CEO for help. In an act of generosity so fitting to this story, Montgomery Ward signed over the rights for the book to May who released 1947 the book version of Rudolph. May’s brother-in-law, a songwriter named Johnny Marks, wrote the song most of us know so well. Gene Autry picked up and recorded Marks’ song. It sold more than 25 million copies.

The Big Screen

Rudolph appeared in an 8-minute film in 1948. A Detroit-based producer, Jam Handy Organization, copyrighted a cartoon version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer shown in theaters as yet more advertising for Montgomery Ward. You can watch a re-release of the 1948 film, which includes the song, here

The Library of Congress has the only complete version of the original 1948 release. According to their website, they have a beautiful Technicolor nitrate print in the AFI/Columbia Pictures Collection. Sixteen years later, the famous stop-animation film spread Rudolph’s fame even wider.

The Misfit We Love

May always took pride in being the man who introduced his little reindeer, who didn’t quite fit in but saved the day, to the world. Let’s face it, most of us have identified with Rudolph, at one time or another, even if we never save the day. May Rudolph continue to go down in history.

Merry Christmas!

Sources:

The Library of Congress

Smithsonian Institute

Time

 

 

 

Author of Historical Romance and Fantasy, award-winning author Donna Hatch is a sought-after speaker and workshop presenter. Her writing awards include the Golden Rose and the prestigious Golden Quill. Her passion for writing began at age 8 she wrote her first short story, and she wrote her first full-length novel during her sophomore year in high school, a fantasy which was later published. In between caring for six children, (7 counting her husband), her day job, her work as a freelance editor and copywriter, and her many volunteer positions, she still makes time to write. After all, writing IS an obsession. All of her heroes are patterned after her husband of over 20 years, who continues to prove that there really is a happily ever after.

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