Do You Know the Real History of ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’?
- Posted on December 24, 2011 at 5:24pm by
Billy Hallowell
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HANOVER, N.H. (AP) — You know Dasher and Dancer and the rest of the gang. But do you recall, the most “Perfect Christmas Crowd-Bringer” of all?
That’s how executives at Montgomery Ward originally described Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, who first appeared in a 1939 book written by one of the company’s advertising copywriter and given free to children as a way to drive traffic to the stores.
Peter Carini holds a first edition of "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer", part of a special collection at Dartmouth College, on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011 in Hanover, N.H. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
Curious to know more about how Rudolph really went down in history? It’s all in the pages of a long-overlooked scrapbook compiled by the story’s author, Robert L. May, and housed at his alma mater, Dartmouth College.
May donated his hand-written first draft and illustrated mock-up to Dartmouth before his death at age 71 in 1976, and his family later added to what has become a large collection of Rudolph-related documents and merchandise, including a life-sized papier-mache reindeer that now stands among the stacks at the Rauner Special Collections Library.
But May‘s scrapbook about the book’s launch and success went unnoticed until last year, when Dartmouth archivist Peter Carini came across it while looking for something else.
“No one on staff currently knew we had it. I pulled it out and all the pieces started falling out. It was just a mess,” Carini said.
The scrapbook, which has since been restored and cataloged, includes May‘s list of possible names for his story’s title character – from Rodney and Rollo to Reginald and Romeo. There’s a map showing how many books went to each state and letters of praise from adults and children alike.
The scrapbook also chronicles the massive marketing campaign Montgomery Ward launched to drum up newspaper coverage of the book giveaway and its efforts to promote it within the company.
Near the front of the scrapbook is a large, colored poster instructing Montgomery Ward stores about how to order and distribute the book. An illustration of Rudolph sweeps across the page, his name written in ornate script. There are exclamation points galore. “The rollinckingest, rip-roaringest, riot-provokingest, Christmas give-away your town has ever seen!“ ”A laugh and a thrill for every boy and girl in your town (and for their parents, too!)”
Rudolph is described as “the perfect Christmas crowd-bringer,” if stores follow a few rules, including giving the book only to children accompanied by adults. “This will limit `street urchin’ traffic to a minimum, and will bring in the PARENTS … the people you want to sell!”
Peter Carini stands next to a full size Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, part of a special collection at Dartmouth College, on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011 in Hanover, N.H. The collection is from the estate of Robert May, a Dartmouth graduate who wrote the famous story in 1939 as part of a Montgomery Ward marketing campaign, and includes a list of other names he considered. Photo: AP / AP
The response was overwhelming – at a time when a print-run of 50,000 books was considered a best-seller, the company gave away more than 2 million copies that first year, and by the following year was selling an assortment of Rudolph-themed toys and other items.
But lest this become a story about corporate greed, it should be noted that in 1947, Montgomery Ward took the unusual step of turning over the copyright to the book to May, who was struggling financially after the death of his first wife.
“He then made several million dollars using that in various ways, through the movie, the song, merchandising and things like that,” Carini said. “I think it’s a great story, because it shows how corporations used to think of themselves as part of civil society, and how much that has changed.”
A first edition of "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer", left, a photo of Robert May with his daughter, Barbara, right, and an original layout, top, are part of a special collection at Dartmouth College, dispalyed Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011 in Hanover, N.H. Photo: AP / AP
May eventually left Montgomery Ward to essentially manage Rudolph’s career, which really took off after May’s brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, wrote the song (made famous by Gene Autry in 1949), and the release of a stop-motion animated television special in 1964.
Both the song and movie depart significantly from May’s original plot, however. In May’s story, Rudolph doesn‘t live at the North Pole or grow up aspiring to pull Santa’s sleigh – he lives in a reindeer village and Santa discovers him while filling Rudolph’s stocking on a foggy Christmas eve.
“And you,” Santa tells Rudolph, “May yet save the day! Your wonderful forehead may yet pave the way!’”
May’s story is written in verse, similar to “The Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clarke Moore, and opens, “‘Twas the day before Christmas and all through the hills/ The reindeer were playing … enjoying the spills.”
“It’s lovely to hear it read out loud, it really comes alive,” Virginia Herz, one of May’s daughters, said in a phone interview this week.
As a small child, Herz, who declined to reveal her age, didn’t think there was anything unusual about growing up in a house surrounded by Rudolph merchandise. It wasn‘t until she was older that she realized her father’s job of “taking care of Rudolph” was a bit different. She tells her grandchildren that their great-grandpa wrote a story about Rudolph, not that he created the character.
“As I child, that’s how I felt. I knew my dad had written a wonderful book about Rudolph and now there were Rudolph toys and other things all around us,” she said. “But it was no different than the guy next door who sold cars, or the guy down the street who was a painting contractor.”
She acknowledges the myths that have become entwined in Rudolph’s history – including the notion that May wrote the story as a Christmas gift for his older daughter, Barbara, when his wife was dying of cancer and that a Montgomery Ward manager “caught wind of the little storybook.” In reality, Montgomery Ward assigned May to write a Christmas book around the same time his wife was ill, Herz said.
“What’s out there on the Internet is a softer telling,” she said. “My dad was aware of it and considered it appropriate. There’s the softer, romantic version and the more fact-based version.”
Herz said her father would be thrilled to see how his creation and its many incarnations have become part of American culture.
“I think he would be startlingly amazed,” she said. “It really is an eternal part of Christmas. He would have been amazed.”
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Comments (81)
RightThinking1
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:27pmWhat you will not see elsewhere, Ronald Reagan’s Christmas address of 1981:
Report Post »http://twitter.com/#!/JimPethokoukis/status/150791686442844160
Jimbo
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:59pmThe last “real” down to earth great American President. I love that man. I wish he were here today to again save this country. Merry Christmas to all.
Report Post »ZengaPA65
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:11amThanks for that.
Report Post »grannyrecipe
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 6:57amThank You RIGHTTHINKING1, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have Ronnie back again! I think Ronald Reagan was our last real President.
Report Post »RightThinking1
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:08pm(Planting tongue in cheek)
I have always been suspect of Rudolph.
The red nose bespeaks intemperate habits.
I think that Olive (the other reindeer) may have been onto something.
Merry Christmas All! Including Rudolph…
Report Post »BlackAce41
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:50pmI have notice you all here just don’t get it.
Report Post »WeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges06
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:22pm“Shining the light of Truth” … “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.” But the Truth is Santa, Rudolph, and the rest of the gang have nothing to do with Jesus the Christ — Savior of mankind, Lord of lords, and King of kings — except, maybe, that He condemns it:
“The exact date of Christ’s birth is not known. The early Christians did not celebrate His birth because they considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom.” – World Book Encyclopedia
“Inexplicable though it seems, the date of Christ’s birth is not known.“ ”Christmas originated at a time when the cult of the sun was particularly strong at Rome.” – New Catholic Encyclopedia
“The pilgrim settlers in America brought with them the Puritan views that had led to the suppression of Christmas in England. In 1659 they passed a law forbidding Christmas observances in their settlements.” – Merit Students Encyclopedia
“Thus says the LORD: ‘Do not learn the way of the Gentiles; Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven, For the Gentiles are dismayed at them. For the customs of the peoples are futile;’ ” – Jeremiah 10, Holy Bible
“”The LORD said to Moses, ‘Say to the people of Israel, The appointed feasts of the LORD which you shall proclaim as holy convocations, my appointed feast, are these …” – Leviticus 23, Holy Bible
“And the LORD said, ‘Because they have forsaken My law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My voice, nor walked according to it, but th
Report Post »WeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges06
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:25pm[continued]
“And the LORD said, ‘Because they have forsaken My law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My voice, nor walked according to it, but they have walked according to the dictates of their own hearts and after the Baals, which their fathers taught them,’ therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will feed them, this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink. I will scatter them also among the Gentiles, whom neither they nor their fathers have known. And I will send a sword after them until I have consumed them.’ ” – Jeremiah 9, Holy Bible
Report Post »mils
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:43pmfor good ness sakes…they’re talking about a freakin reindeer…they’re not spreading blasphemy about the events you hold dear… A funny little fake deer….
Report Post »BenInNY
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 10:00pmNot to mention Santa has religious origins:
Report Post »Saint Nicholas (b. 270) 4th century Saint with a reputation of gift giving.
The Dutch transliteration eventually became Sinterklaas, which is pretty easy to change into Santa Claus over the course of a few hundred years.
Seriously, can we just enjoy the season for whatever it means to each of us now?
TC
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:19pmLets see: One day a year Christians celebrate the birth of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! Prayer and praise lifted up to him and many people less fortunate helped in the name of Jesus Christ…and this is blasphemous somehow?
Report Post »You Negative Neds sound more like the Pharisees. Since when has the fruit of the Spirit been a bad thing? I loose my patience with you guys and you discredit the many good works done in the name of our Lord and Savior at Christmas!
JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 11:42pmJeez, get a grip!
Report Post »Guilty
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:24amSomeone, on Christmas Eve, is sitting at their computer, typing some long diatribe over… what exactly? ‘Tis a sad, lonely world for that individual.
Report Post »ZengaPA65
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:51amHow Odin Became Santa Claus: Symbolism and Pagan Origins of a Gift-Giving Saint
http://www.realmagick.com/7014/how-odin-became-santa-claus-symbolism-and-pagan-origins-of-a-gift-giving-saint/
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 1:36amThe true Biblical Holidays given in Leviticus chapter 23 are called a “Holy convocation.” Convocation means rehearsel.Jesus/Yeshua is fulfilling them all to the date. Our man-made holidays pollute the things of God.
Report Post »I would much rather put my trust in the word of God then put it into the hands of man-made vain traditions. Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Alvin691
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 9:11pmGreat, more marketing.
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 8:57pmThe Rudolph I remember, will always have a special place in my heart, even though he was originally an advertising gimmick.
Report Post »sodacrackers2
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 8:37pmLovely story, written before the “progressive” liberals started trying to destroy our culture in earnest with their little “nudges,” aka shoves.
Report Post »bankerpapaw
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 8:25pmMerry CHRISTmas and a very Happy New Year. We will all be very happy come next November.
Report Post »Then Obama can stay on permanent vacation.
Comeandtakeit
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 8:04pmI am 68 years old, and when I was a very small child my sister and I were excitedly waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve trying to go to sleep in the tiny room we shared. She dramatically told me the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and I thought it was the best story I ever heard.
I don’t remember the particulars of how she told it, but perhaps it was from the original version from back then. It was before the modern cartoon and tv versions for sure.
But I still remember that exciting Christmas Eve when I first heard the story of Rudolph from my only sibling, who now lives nearby and will be sharing our Christmas dinner tomorrow with her husband, kids and grandkids.
Report Post »mils
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 7:58pmRudolph….He..Him…
Report Post »According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring.
Therefore, according to EVERY rendition depicting Santa’s reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl !.
We should’ve known…… ONLY women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night
AND NOT GET LOST!!!!…:)….
(soooo…who was Rudolphs’s daddy??? hhmmmmm)
mils
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 7:47pmso, turn her/him…
Report Post »“report post’….
TheVoice1
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 7:45pmVery best of the best to you and yours tonight….. and a very merry Christmas!!!!
Report Post »ConservativeCharlie
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 7:55pmMerry christmas to you also, and to all the Blaze family. I love the Blaze, and its readers. If you want a laugh this holiday you should watch this new video, this is funny about how this might be our last christmas with Obama and 2012, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Jja7-lTzk
Report Post »MonkeyBeagle
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 8:03pmya merry christmas everyone. if you are having a difficult time remeber it will get better dont give up hope some of us have been there before.
Report Post »by the way very funny video charlie. I laughed pretty hard at the 27 yr old fat asian, now in charge of nuclear per-lif-er-ation ha ha.
ShyMan
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 7:44pmEver hear of Randoph the bow-legged cowboy?
Report Post »NanAugie
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 11:16amYes! My Father used to sing that one to me when I was little – well not too little…not until I was around 8 or 9. It’s sort of a tradition now – haven’t met a single other person who knew it though. Any idea where it came from?
Report Post »candle_for_freedom
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 7:42pmI think that this is a perfect story for Christmas Eve
Report Post »MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone
Star Spangled
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 7:26pmMerry Christmas to Everyone and my best wishes for a very Happy New Year !!
Report Post »raspberrytea
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 7:25pmMerry Christmas everyone!
Report Post »SquishyBear
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 7:18pmget lost spammer
Report Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 6:29pmi would like to tell all of my fellow blazers,that i hope they have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year, with the year that we have seen and lived through, we still all have something to be thankful for, so as we all open presents and visit with friends and family, we should stop and remember the real meaning of Christmas, with the attack on every thing christian, it wont be long until they completely try and erase all meaning of Jesus and Christmas, so please give thanks to the lord for all we have. so again, Merry Christmas and have a happy new year.
Report Post »also for those who are offended by this message, i wish you a Merry Christmas and i hope that god continues to bless you and your family.
commonsenseguy.
lodgerat
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 2:26amMerry Christmas back at you and to all the Blazers. God has been good to us this year and I know after next November our blessing will be greater. God Bless everyone on this blog and have a Happy New Year..from the lodgerat family
Report Post »Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Holmes
St. Louis, Missouri
BullishforBulverde
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 6:02pmNot a very Merry Christmas for that poor Bird You Couldn’t Fly.
Report Post »BullishforBulverde
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 6:00pmWhen I watched the movie last year it was the first time I noticed something funny and kinda shocking.
Report Post »When the Island of Misfit Toys are being pushed off the sled for they‘re new homes the ONLY one that didn’t get a parachute or umbrella was the Bird that Couldn’t Fly. My family and I rewound it 3 times and that poor bird. You have to wonder what he was thinking on the way down to splat on the ground.
BODYBAG
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 6:38pmIts a cartoon, not real life. The bird didnt splat. He just landed and lives his life on the island.
Report Post »Cartoons characters dont die.
Bugleboy99
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 7:16pmDon’t die??? Tell that to Ned Flanders wife, Bleeding Gums Murphy, etc.
Report Post »ZengaPA65
Posted on December 25, 2011 at 12:27amTell that to Kenny.
Report Post »bullcrapbuster
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 5:58pm@jennie87d……Merry Christmas Jennie……..now F off
Report Post »ZengaPA65
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 5:55pmNo one else wants to be a webcam pornwhore.
Report Post »ZengaPA65
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 5:52pmKinda messed up the story of Odin and his 8 legged horse though.
Report Post »kindling
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 5:48pmI know I am not average but even as a child I never liked the story. It was to much like people, only being nice when they needed something and throwing you away when they didn’t. It is good though that MW gave it back to Mr. May so he would keep his idea going. It does make a lot of kids very happy.
Report Post »ZengaPA65
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 5:53pmWhat an excellent point.
Report Post »AmericanStrega
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 7:00pmThat’s exactly what the story is about! People are “thrown away” each and every day. In my opinion, this program showed that even though you may be different, you were still real. Even if there is someone that thinks you should be “thrown away”, there are others that think you’re worth-while. I was always the “misfit” and the “nitwit”. Now? I’ve learned that while I may be a misfit, I’m not a nitwit. I’ve taken care of myself since I was 17 years old (I’m now pushing 50). I think a story like this can help the misfits and (maybe) the nitwits become successful misfits and (maybe, but not likely nitwits). It‘s a good story and I’m sorry you never liked it. But, to each his own. May you and yours have a wonderful and Merry Christmas. And may you also have a Happy New Year!
Report Post »AmericanStrega (still a misfit)
AmericanStrega
Posted on December 24, 2011 at 5:39pmRudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer is my all time favorite Christmas show! I watch it every year along with A Charlie Brown Christmas, Little Drummer Boy, and The Nutcracker.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
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