As you can tell, the rest of my Favorite Fictional Character posts are going to be Christmas/Holiday icons from my childhood that I have to immerse myself in during this time of year. So up first is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer who without, Christmas would never be the same.How can you not adore this guy. He's cute, naive, and strives to be his own deer. He tries to put the needs of other's first and probably doesn't have a selfish antler on his body.
Rudolph was born in 1939 as part of a marketing campaign for Montgomery Ward. He was turned into a song in 1942 but the song did not pick up in popularity until Gene Autry recorded it a few years later. Now most of us are familiar with him because of the Rankin & Bass classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the subsequent movies Rudolph's Shiny New Year and Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July. Now I happen to own all 3 movies and devour them every year.
One of the songs from the first movie is what hooked me on his character. When Rudolph and Hermey sing "We're a Couple of Misfits" it gets to me every time. For all of us who were somehow different from what we thought was the norm, this is a anthem that makes us realize that we aren't alone, that there are tons of "misfits" out there.
23 comments:
Rudolph is definitely a favorite. I'll admit it, I even have the soundtrack :). We're a Couple of Misfits is my favorite song.
Definitely a very strong memory from my childhood. Thanks for mentioning little Rudolph!
I love Rudolph! Course I have a soft spot for Frosty the Snowman too.
To this day I cry when Clarise sings to Rudolph, "There's always tomorrow for dreams to come true . . ." See? I'm choking up just typing that!
Lezlie
Robsad, I must get the soundtrack now.
Michelle, You are more than welcome.
Zia, Frosty will be coming up soon.
Lezlie, That is a great moment in the movie.
Oh, I do adore Rudolph, and thanks for sharing that little bit of history. I didn't know that he came to be because of Montgomery Ward! When I was a kid, my parents called it "Monkey Wards," for whatever reason.
It sticks in my mind!
Rudolph is actually one of my least favorite Christmas shows. I don't know why, exactly. It just kinda creeps me out.
Laurel, Monkey Wards is funny. I'm glad to find other Rudolph fans out there.
Carol, That's alright, I'll forgive you this time :-)
I love this feature and I've been meaning to start doing it myself, which I finally managed this week. I chose Princess Cimorene. You can read my post here
I admit to not knowing much about Rudolph (I'm Jewish) but he looks cute in the picture.
Thanks Ryan, for posting one of my most beloved childhood christmas characters! These movies were such a big part of Michelle and I's christmas experience as children. We had to wait until they came on tv back then, but now I have them on video, and have enjoyed sharing them with my children, and now I will share them with my grandchildren. My oldest granddaughter is getting into movies now, she's 3, so I get to instill this family tradition in her this year! Yay! I agree with the misfit song, it is okay to be different, and this movie addresses it beautifully!
Love Rudolph! Like my sis commented before me, it was (and is) a holiday tradition. Little history here...my first husband looked like Hermey (a more grown up version)...no lie! LOL!
Rudolph is on CBS tonight at 7pm central. And, if you have the Hallmark Channel and you don't already own it, A Diva's Christmas Carol is on Hallmark Channel tomorrow night at 7pm central. I know you said you love that movie!
Simcha, I'll be heading over there to take a look. I'm so glad that you are joining us now :-)
Tracy/Michelle, I'm glad you guys love this as much as I do and share it with your families. Thanks for the heads up on Diva's Christmas Carol, I'll be DVRing it.
Ryan, great pick this week. I think we are all going to make it hard on each other to pick characters for the season. I was thinking on Rudolph and didn't do him. You are going to make me think harder on these, aren't you? LOL. That is good!
I did good this week with my Suzy Snowflake. (Or so I think)
I love the Misfits song. I always feel like I understand when that song comes on.
I was thinking as the last FFC before Christmas to be my favorite Santa character played. That one is going to be a tough one. There are so many and I have to go back through all the movies. I am not sure if I am going to do that or not. I have a few weeks to think on it. What do you think?
Rudy is definitely cute. Shiny red noses never looked so good. ;)
Melissa, Suzy Snowflake was a fantastic choice. I haven't thought of her in years. Your favorite Santa would be a awesome choice that way you can explain what about him you love so much.
Tasha, He is beyond cute. He is adorable.
Great choice Ryan! I absolutely adore Rudolph, but never knew he was created for an ad campaign by Montgomery Ward. Love the misfits song too! Hermey is too cute. :D
Aw! I love Rudolph! Thanks for reminding me to whip out my holiday DVD collection!
Oh, this is wonderful, Ryan! I love this red nose! :) Very cute movie, too, one of my favorites that I always watch :)
Alexia, I'm glad you love the movie as I do.
Beth, I dug my collection of movies out days ago and I'm loving them all over again.
Krista, Nice to have you back! Rudolph is adorably cute.
Thanks, Ryan, it has been a crazy couple of months :) But I just can't wait till Christmas! What a wonderful season! :) Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! :)
rudolph is the best. and so is burl ives as the snowman. love to watch this every year.
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