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It's time for RUDOLPH to take flight again and we thought we would add some new facts we have learned recently on this classic RANKIN/BASS special.
First of all, we located the original and complete December 6th, 1964 Network Broadcast print of The GENERAL ELECTRIC FANTASY HOUR: RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER. Many revelations were unveiled. The GE Christmas Caroler Elves in part one of my article, were not the ANIMAGIC figures featured in the original network airings of RUDOLPH. Apparently, they are earlier RANKIN/BASS characters that I suspect may have been used by GENERAL ELECTRIC during a broadcast of Christmas material in 1963.
During the 1964 broadcast, three commercials for GE featuring the FOREMAN elf, the elf with the glasses and the generic elf with the sunglasses were used. GE sponsored the entire hour, so the commercials were lengthy, musical spots. In addition to the three with RANKIN/BASS characters, a final commercial featuring a husband, wife and shoe polisher was featured. This was the "Holy Grail" of RANKIN/BASS animation and well worth the hunt!The differences during the actual special and what appears on the Collector's DVD are minimal but need mentioning.
The other BIG difference between what is on the DVD and the original broadcast is the ending of the special. The original airing features the end credits directly after Santa takes off for the island of MISFIT TOYS. The end credits feature one elf throwing packages out of the sleigh with the end credits on them.
Jules Bass remembers that there was a write in campaign by viewers to actually see Santa go back for the toys and hence the dropping of the Misfits from the sleigh since 1965. This is why "The Peppermint Scene" was ultimately trimmed. It was trimmed to make room for the misfits around the campfire and jumping into the sled.
I have been asked two more similar questions about this scene. Why does Santa no longer go down Chimneys and why is Santa's sleigh led by six tiny reindeer and Rudolph, instead of eight with Rudolph?
She was granted more screen time in the 1965-1997 Broadcasts and ultimately led many a fan to wonder what was wrong with her? Since Arthur Rankin says it was psychological, I still stand behind that. We have heard from many of the principal cast of talent lately! People like Tony Peters, Bill Giles and Janis Orenstein (Clarice) and I think the story behind this special is an amazing one. Especially since it is still going strong. By the way, don't believe everything you read in black and white in other "MAKING OF" books.
Did you happen to notice that HERMEY is now spelled right on NEW products of the character? BUT why is the ABOMINABLE SNOWMONSTER now, all of a sudden, the ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN? Oh well... we invite you to check out our NEWS pages at RANKINBASS.com for more information and photos!
- Rick Goldschmidt / www.rankinbass.com Rudolph
the Red-Nosed Reindeer |
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