Hey, you do recall the most famous reindeer of all, right?
Of course you do. Who could forget Rudolph? Particularly because he's the subject of a classic Christmas song and a television special that has stood the test of time.
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" remains remarkably popular half a century after it premiered.
That's right, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is about to turn 50. It first aired on NBC on Dec. 6, 1964, and has been delighting — and terrifying — millions of youngsters ever since.
Yes, terrifying. When you're a little kid, that Abominable Snow Monster is scary … at least until he has that unfortunate (for him) encounter with the elf dentist.
Seen through the lens of the 21st century, "Rudolph" is remarkably old school. Not just because of the primitive puppets and the stop-action animation, but because of the basic message of the story: If you look different, there's something wrong with you.
It's not just the other reindeer who shun Rudolph when his glowing nose is uncovered. Santa Claus himself displays a shocking lack of compassion, telling the young reindeer's father, "Donner, you should be ashamed of yourself."
And Comet, the young reindeers' coach, tells his charges, "From now on, gang, we won't let Rudolph join in any reindeer games. Right?"
Yikes. Talk about narrow-minded and just plain mean-spirited. Although it all works out in the end, and Rudolph seems remarkably forgiving.
The world has changed a lot since "Rudolph" premiered in 1964. And yet our love for Rudolph has remained constant.
CBS, which has aired the special annually since 1972, still gets very strong ratings for "Rudolph." It tends to win its time slot in viewers and the all-important younger demographics that advertisers covet.
Not bad for a show that's older than most of the people who work at the network. The story is even older than that — the character was created in 1939 by Robert L. May for a free booklet by the Montgomery Ward department stores, with 2.5 million copies distributed.
May's brother-in-law, Johnnie Marks, wrote the "Rudolph" song in 1947. Gene Autry recorded it and the song hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts, selling 2.5 million copies in its first year and more than 25 million copies total.
Rudolph's reach has gone far beyond the book, the song and the annual TV telecasts. The special has been released on DVD and Blu-ray, and the characters have been turned into everything from ornaments to toys, dinnerware to cookies.
And this year, the United States Postal Service has issued a set of four stamps featuring scenes from the TV special.
Hey, the Post Office validated Santa Claus in the 1947 film "Miracle on 34th Street."
Rudolph now has that validation for real.
| Courtesy Classic Media The Abominable Snow Monster after his encounter with the elf dentist.
| Courtesy Classic Media Hermey and Rudolph become fast friends.
| Courtesy Classic Media Rudolph gets set to lead Santa's sleigh team on Christmas Eve.
| Courtesy Classic Media Rudolph, Hermey and Yukon Cornelius effect an escape from the Abominable Snow Monster.
| Courtesy Classic Media Rudolph and the object of his affection, Clarice.
| Courtesy Classic Media "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" debuted on television on Dec. 6, 1964.
| Courtesy Classic Media Santa Claus eventually gets over his aversion to Rudolph's red nose.