“Rudolph, with your nose so bright, will you guide my sleigh tonight?”
We get to the point where Arthur Rankin Jr. and songwriter Johnny Marks meet to discuss turning the classic song into an animated TV special. Time to learn how General Electric paid for the entire budget, which meant the elves were now selling electric blankets and can openers.
Learn how the animating team in Japan took a lot of care in their detail to build the 22 sets and characters over the 18 month filming. Also learn how Burl Ives ended up the only actor to earn any residuals from the special.
Listen to this episode of the Behind the Bells Podcast
Author: Robert Nicholas
Title: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Part 2: Beginning of Rankin Bass, Expanding the Song, Japanese Puppeteering, and TV Airing
