Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer
written by Johnny Marks

Rudolph is a reindeer, with an unusual red nose that shines. Because of this, he is laughed at and told to go home by his peers. Saddened, he goes home, hangs his stocking and goes to bed. Meanwhile, in the North Pole, Santa Claus notices that the coming fog will be difficult to get through. Nevertheless, him and his reindeer brave out the storm and go anyway. While on the way, an airplane throws them off their course; they land at Rudolph's house, where Santa greets him. Telling Rudolph, "I need you tonight to guide my deer on the rest of our flight", Rudolph helps them. Due to his bravery and his glowing nose, he is accepted and respected by his fellow reindeer and made their commander-in-chief by Santa; the reindeer enjoy a merry Christmas together. This 8 min. animated interoperation of the Christmas classic preceded Gene Autry's 1949 song "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and the animated 1964 version. It was based on Robert L. May's 1939 story, rather than the song. The 1964 film more closely resembles the song rather than the original story. It is believed that the short was created to advertise Montgomery Ward department stores, the publisher of the original story. --- You know Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixen. Comet, and Cupid, and Donner, and Blitzen. But do you recall the most famous reindeer of all? Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Had a very shiny nose And if you ever saw it You would even say it glows All of the other reindeer Used to laugh and call him names They never let poor Rudolph Join in any reindeer games Then one foggy Christmas Eve Santa came to say, "Rudolph with your nose so bright, Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?" Then how the reindeer loved him As they shouted out with glee, "Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, You'll go down in history!" Twas the day before Christmas And all through the hills The reindeer were playing Enjoying the spills - of skating, And coasting, and climbing the willows, And hopscotch, and leap frog protected by pillows Acho! Look fellas, it's Rudolph. His nose is a sight It's red as a beet Twice as big, twice as bright Lookie, lookie, I'm Rudolph. Poor Rudolph. Where most reindeer's noses are brownish and tiny, Rudolphs was red, very large, and shiny. RUDOLPH! Go on home, red nose. Yo mama's callin' ya. Come, come, Rudolph. Tonight you hand up your stocking. His nose is a sight It's red as a beet Twice as big, twice as bright What a way, way up North on this dark, foggy night Awaking the time for his Christmas Eve flight Good old Santa. Hmmm, this fog will be hard to get through. Quick quick, get hitched in a hurry. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen! Heigh ho! To keep our direction we'll have to fly low. Come down here, quick! Heigh ho! Pretty close. Heigh ho! The air was still foggy, the night dark and drear When Santa arrived at the home of the deer But all this took time and filled Santa with glume While slowly he crept toward the next reindeer room The lamp wasn't burning, the glow came instead From Rudolph's red nose at the head of the bed And then came the greatest idea in all history To Rudolph is told of the dark, and delay The fog and blackness, and losing the way I need you tonight To lead all my deer for the rest of our flight Dear Mommy and Daddy, I have gone to help Santa. Don't worry. Rudolph - that's me. Hurry, Rudolph. It's very dark here. With Rudolph's red nose as a wonder light Old Santa flew quickly the rest of the night It all went to fast that before it was day The very last present was given away Hear, ye. Hear, ye. A message from Rudolph. Yes, they found Rudolph's message. It's all over town Hear, ye. Hear, ye. Rudolph at the stadium. Come one, come all. The bad deer that used to do nothing but tease him Well now they'd do anything only to please him Rudolph, my boy, they'll envy you now far and near But no greater honor can come to a deer Than riding with Santa and guiding my sleigh The number one job on the number one