Thursday, December 4, 2008

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Last night, after Courtney and I put MD to bed, we turned the TV on and found Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer showing. I cannot tell you the last time I watched that cartoon. That show brought back so many good memories from my childhood at Christmas. This is my favorite time of year and Rudolph brought a smile to my face.

I am still amazed at how they that made that show (I can’t figure if it's a show, cartoon or mini-movie.) Anyway, they didn't have computers back in 1964, so the details in that movie impress me so much. But there are some things I just can’t figure out about the show and the song: How did Robert May come up with a story about a reindeer with a red, glow-in-the-dark nose? Why was the little doll on Misfit Island there, what was wrong with her? How does the know-it-all Yukon Cornelius get those little dogs to pull his fat butt around on that dog sled? And how do you make a 3 minute song into a 1 hour movie?

Some other concerns I have about Rudolph: Before Hermey, the dentist elf, how did the elves take care of their teeth? How is a reindeer born with a red, glow-in-the-dark nose - a result of global warming or toxic waste? How does Santa Claus start the show really thin, then suddenly get really fat? What happened to Bumble after putting the star on the tree - was he suddenly nice and didn't want to eat the elves and reindeer anymore?

Man - I just made myself not like the movie, I mean cartoon, anymore. Actually, I am going to forget about all those questions and just enjoy the song from Gene Autry:

"Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose.
And if you ever saw him, you would even say it glows.
All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names.
They never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games.
Then one foggy Christmas Eve Santa came to say:
"Rudolph with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Then all the reindeer loved him as they shouted out with glee,
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, you'll go down in history!"

1 comment:

Sara said...

Hey D!
Just a message from your OLD FRIENDS who were actually 7 YEARS OLD when Rudolph first aired in 1964!!! We believe the movie was made frame by frame, moving the characters just a bit for each frame. Time consuming for sure, but what an art form! Our friend from youth group, Jamie C actually made a short film using this technique many years ago for a youth film competition. How much computer graphics have changed movie making and everything else! Still, you gotta be impressed with the artists of the past! We love you, Courtney and MD!!!
From your ANCIENT, but still loving God and life, Jack & Sara