Gene Autry’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”: The Iconic Christmas Song That Instantly Became a Holiday Tradition
First introduced in 1949, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” remains one of the world’s most recognizable Christmas songs. With its charming lyrics, the song shares the story of a shy young reindeer with a glowing red nose. At first, his nose caused him to be bullied by the other reindeer. Despite this, his nose soon became the key to saving Christmas. The song clearly shows how being different can be a strength. This is something that people of all ages can relate to. Because of this, it has become a beloved holiday classic that’s been loved for generations.
The Origin of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (The Character)
In 1939, the story Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created by Robert L. May. At the time, May was a copywriter and advertising executive for Montgomery Ward. The story of Rudolph was first developed as a rhyming poem. This poem was used as a promotional giveaway to attract shoppers during the holiday season. Rudolph’s personality is based on May’s personal childhood experiences of being teased for his shyness and small stature.
For Rudolph’s appearance, May drew inspiration from his daughter Barbara’s love of deer from Lincoln Park Zoo. May and his colleague Denver Gillan then visited the zoo to create a sketch using the deer as a concept. Rudolph’s trademark red nose, however, was met with hesitation from Montgomery Ward executives. This was because they assumed that the public might associate it with an effect of alcoholism. This was seen as a cultural stereotype at the time.
When choosing a name, they went through a plethora of names before finally settling on Rudolph. After seeing the sketch and hearing the concept, the executives finally approved the project. Soon after, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was born.
The Origin of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (The Song)
In 1939, during the Christmas season, the 32-page booklet was distributed to children. The booklet became an immediate success, with 2.4 million copies distributed. By 1946, circulation had reached 6 million copies, and the story’s popularity continued to grow. Despite the booklet’s massive success, May did not immediately profit from Rudolph’s popularity. At the time, the rights belonged to his employer, Montgomery Ward.
In 1947, after experiencing financial hardship, May finally secured the rights to Rudolph. This was after successfully convincing Ward’s president Sewell Avery to transfer ownership. The copyright for the original book is set to expire in 2034. In 1949, Rudolph’s story gained widespread acclaim when May’s brother-in-law, songwriter Johnny Marks, adapted it into a song. First recorded by Texas native Gene Autry, the song became a Number-one hit, selling 2.5 million copies in its first year.
The Song’s Hitmaking Outcome
Eventually, “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” became one of the best-selling records of all time. In 1985, Autry’s version was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. To date, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has sold over 150 million records. It has also been covered by a multitude of artists across genres. These artists include Ray Charles, Dolly Parton, and Ella Fitzgerald.
The Song’s Televised Adaptation
Rudolph’s cinematic debut came in 1948. Produced by Max Fleischer, the nine-minute theatrical cartoon was later reissued with the song. However, the most iconic adaptation is the 1964 Rankin/Bass produced NBC special. The special introduced a plethora of new characters, such as Sam the snowman, voiced by Burl Ives. Ives also served as the show’s narrator.
To date, the special remains the longest-running Christmas television special in history. As a result, it is still widely viewed each holiday season. The story is about Rudolph trying to gain acceptance from his peers after being teased because of his red nose. His brave way of dealing with his unfair treatment presents a strong message about feeling good about yourself. Rudolph has since become a well-known symbol of Christmas around the world.
Final Thoughts
Unbeknownst to many, Marks did not celebrate Christmas due to his Jewish heritage. Despite this, he was heavily involved with Christmas music, penning numerous holiday hits. These hits include “A Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”. The massive popularity of “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” stems from its theme of overcoming adversity. Additionally, its fun and memorable lyrics made it loved by people all over the world. Ultimately, Marks will always be remembered for writing some of the best Christmas songs that we still enjoy today.
