In actually, I'll be focusing on a production company that has had a heavy hand in this: Rankin/Bass Productions. For those unaware, Rankin/Bass is an American company that has been known to produce many seasonal videos and specials, particularly around Christmas. Remember some of those old stop-motion videos they like to show around the holidays? Pretty good shot of them being Rankin/Bass productions. They weren't exactly limited to stop-motion, as they did have a hand in making some hand-drawn work as well. Still, the stop-motion work has been the most remembered of their portfolio, so that will be the focus for this month.
(They've certainly got a large selection to choose from)
I think the best way to start off is with the first stop-motion special Rankin/Bass created: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
(Here is, I'm betting, the memories start flowing back in)
The original story of Rudolph was created in 1939, making it one of the more 'relatively' recent creations to come about in Christmas. The character ended up getting his own song, which explained how a glowing nose casted the poor reindeer out until a foggy Christmas Eve had Santa Claus ask him for help to pull his sleigh. A pretty simple story, all things considered, but timeless enough that it became part of Christmas.
The original stop-motion special clocks in a little under an hour and was broadcast on NBC in 1964. It tells pretty much the same story, but with some new songs and characters thrown in to help extend the runtime.
So, how well does this special hold up after over 50 years? Let's find out.
The special takes place through a story (sort of) told by Sam the Snowman.
(I like the cut of his Cardigan)
He introduces us to Christmastown, where Santa, the elves and reindeer live and work while preparing for Christmas. Here, we get the introduction (and birth) of Rudolph himself. Here, he is the son of Donner and a female deer (who is only known as Mrs. Donner). After giving Rudolph his name, his red nose starts a-glowing and worries his parents. Santa Claus himself ends up stopping by (a lot slimmer here, probably found a weight loss guide in between trips) to congratulate Donner for the birth. He brings up how Rudloph will need to be careful with it, lest he becomes unable to help pull the sleigh if it continues.
(Probably bulks up before trips. Maybe helps him keep warm in the cold sky)
Years later, Rudolph is living a relatively normal live, hiding away his 'deformed' red nose through some dirt while trying to make some reindeer friends. He even catches the eye of young female fawn named Clarice. Unfortunately, his red nose gets discovered and he gets laughed off. He soon finds himself an outcast among his own reindeer kind.
Still, he isn't exactly the only one.
In the toy shop of Christmastown, the elves have been working on new toys, with one Hermey feeling more like becoming a dentist than a toy maker.
(Though from here, it looks like he is ready to snap at a moment's notice)
Deciding to head out on his own, Hermey meets with Rudolph, quickly becoming friends and declaring themselves 'misfits'. Unfortunately, they get themselves lost in a snowstorm before being rescued by a prospector named Yukon Cornelius, a rather bombastic fellow.
(I like the cut of his gib...and mustache...and beard)
While the jolly Yukon tries to make a fortune off of gold and silver in the north (this far north, its all ice), they soon encounter-
(Holy Cow!)
Sorry, but this thing scared the heck out of my as a kid. Our trio of heroes manage to evade the Abominable Snowman by chipping off a piece of ice and sailing that way. Good idea, especially since the monster isn't too fond of swimming.
Back in Christmastown, Rudolph's parents are actually worried for his safety and try to go out and find him, Clarice also accompanying them. Back with our main heroes, they end up arriving on the Island of Misfit Toys. This is where you get such things as the Charlie-in-a-Box (instead of Jack), a spotted elephant, and a train set with square wheels on their caboose. The trio want to stay, but the ruler of the island, King Moonracer (a griffin-like creature) allows them to stay for just a night before they can move on. He does bring up the idea of contacting Santa Claus about the island to give the toys a new home, at least.
Feeling that his own red nose got his friends into trouble (which is sort of true, since it attracted the monster's attention before), Rudolph leaves in the night to find his own path instead. Time passes (whether it is months or years, I couldn't tell), Rudolph grows up and tries to return home. When he finds his home empty, Santa Claus himself makes an appearance to explain how his family went out looking for them. Since Rudolph's father is one of the sleight pullers, Christmas could be canceled.
Well, there is also a snowstorm that hit a few days before Christmas, but lets focus on the search.
Rudolph manages to find a cave, where-
Feeling that his own red nose got his friends into trouble (which is sort of true, since it attracted the monster's attention before), Rudolph leaves in the night to find his own path instead. Time passes (whether it is months or years, I couldn't tell), Rudolph grows up and tries to return home. When he finds his home empty, Santa Claus himself makes an appearance to explain how his family went out looking for them. Since Rudolph's father is one of the sleight pullers, Christmas could be canceled.
Well, there is also a snowstorm that hit a few days before Christmas, but lets focus on the search.
Rudolph manages to find a cave, where-
(Good God, its trying to eat one of them!)
Uh, anyway, Rudolph tries to save Clarice and his parents, but gets quickly knocked out. Thankfully, Hermey and Cornelius managed to come across the cave (how convenient) and save a day. Cornelius manages to knock the monster out, while Hermey removes all of its teeth.
(For Hermey, this is just practice)
Anyway, the ending kind of wraps everything up: Cornelius reforms the monster (after both take a dive off the cliff), Rudolph gets some respect and the chance to pull the sleigh through the storm thanks to his nose, and the misfit toys get picked up to be delivered to new children.
The End...
Final Thoughts on the Special:
It certainly is a timeless piece, wouldn't be able to pin it into one set time (for the most part), though the stop motion has aged a bit since the 1960s. Some of the characters kind of come off as jerks, mostly adults like Donner and even Santa Claus himself (at least in the beginning). It isn't too heavy on plot, mostly about accepting who you are and using what you've got to your best advantage.
Overall, it is an okay movie to watch, easy to sit through and the songs can either be good, catchy, or irritable (depends if you like Christmas music or not).
Next up, lets get into the origins of Santa Claus himself.
Until next time...
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