Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Part of a series: Diamonds In The Rough
Through a grant-funded project awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), the Autry sets out to process approximately 2,000 linear feet of archival material over the next two years. Every third week of the month, the Autry Libraries blog will feature collection gems brought to light by NHPRC Processing Archivist Holly Rose Larson.
Image made by Eunice Alter. Courtesy of Gene Autry Entertainment.
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen…and whether you celebrate Christmas or not, you have definitely heard of the most famous reindeer of all: Rudolph!
Gene Autry made Rudoph a household name when he recorded the cross-over hit song in 1949. It sold 10 million copies by 1977. What’s funny is that the song itself was passed over quite a bit, just as its namesake was, before it was given an opportunity to shine for all to see.
Caption: A 1946 edition of the Montgomery Ward booklet. 2009.1.1.1, Autry National Center.
Robert May wrote the story of Rudolph for a Montgomery Ward promotional booklet in 1939. His brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, turned the story into a song, recorded a demo, and sent it out to numerous popular recording artists, including Dinah Shore and Bing Crosby, before sending it to Gene Autry. Gene gave it a listen, but was not impressed. He played it for his wife, Ina, who loved it and suggested that it would be a big hit. Carl Cotner, Gene’s long-time arranger, also encouraged the Singing Cowboy to do it. On June 27, 1949 Gene went in the studio and laid down the track. And, if you can believe this, Autry writes in his autobiography Back in the Saddle Again, that it was done in one take!
From the little reindeer who was never invited to play in his mates’ games sprung a hit song that has been recorded by scores of artists, a beloved stop-motion animated movie, and even a children’s book about a dog who misheard the lyrics…
Caption: Olive, the Other Reindeer by Vivian Walsh and J.otto Seibold, Chronicle Books, 1997.
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/titles/olive-the-other-reindeer.html
To learn more about Rudolph’s story, Gene Autry, and to hear a live radio performance of the song, visit http://www.autry.com/clubhouse/christmas/geneautry_rudolph.html
Thank you to Maxine Hansen of Gene Autry Entertainment for the fact-checking and extra details!
I love the book “Olive the Other Reindeer”. The Rudolph song is ubiquitous, especially now, this is a great back story.