Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Making Of The Rankin/Bass Holiday Classic [Hardcover]

Rick Goldschmidt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2001

This is the Behind the scenes story of the classic RANKIN/BASS Holiday TV Special "RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER." Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass Produced the Highest Rated, Longest Running Television Special (Not just Holiday Special) of all-time! This is a 216 page (8 color) account of what it took to put it all together. It has a FOREWORD by ARTHUR RANKIN, JR. and an AFTERWORD by ANDREW STANTON (PIXAR/MONSTERS, INC.). It also features the entire 1963 draft of the teleplay by Romeo Muller which includes many scenes that were changed and deleted. There are photographic storyboards of the original 1964 RANKIN/BASS Produced GENERAL ELECTRIC commercials and an in-depth chapter on 'ANIMAGIC,' which is the Stop-Motion brand name for this unique type of animation used in the special. This book also contains NEW art created by Art legends Jack Davis, Paul Coker, Jr., Don Duga, Patrick Owsley, David Sheldon, Lane Smith, Kirsten Ulve, Mitch O' Connell, Steve Rude, Jim Engel and more! It also contains info on the rest of the talented cast: Burl Ives, Tony Peters, Romeo Muller, Johnny Marks, Maury Laws and all the GREAT Canadian talent including Bill Giles, Bernard Cowan, Billie Mae Richards, Paul Soles and more!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Sight Unseen, I can honestly recommend this book!" -- Jerry Beck, Animation Research

"This book has it all! We were glad we could help out!" -- Larry Potash, WGN MORNING NEWS

"We want to get this one as soon as possible!" -- TV GUIDE, October 2001

About the Author

Rick Goldschmidt has written two books on RANKIN/BASS. His first book THE ENCHANTED WORLD OF RANKIN/BASS (MISER BROS. PRESS) SOLD OUT of it's first printing and has now gone into it's second printing. He has been a creative consultant with almost all of the companies that have Produced merchandise based on the RANKIN/BASS Holiday specials including ENESCO CORP., GOLDEN BOOKS, PLAYING MANTIS, etc. His website, Co-published by Mark Sykora. Rick lives in the Chicago area with his wife of 11 years Jennifer and his Daughter Sara and son Joshua.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Miser Bros. Press (October 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971308101
• ISBN-13: 978-0971308107
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,012,884 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am the official RANKIN/BASS PRODUCTIONS historian/biographer and have authored two books on RANKIN/BASS. The first is THE ENCHANTED WORLD OF RANKIN/BASS: A PORTFOLIO and the second THE MAKING OF THE RANKIN/BASS HOLIDAY CLASSIC: RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER. I also was the project consultant and am featured in the documentaries on the DVDs MAD MONSTER PARTY (Sept. 8, 2009 DELUXE EDITION) and THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS (Christmas edition 2007)BOTH available on AMAZON. I have recorded three CDs with the GIN BLOSSOMS and my first is available at AMAZON "Rick Goldschmidt Sings."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, December 5, 2001

By 

Dennis Riordan (Tinley Park, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Making Of The Rankin/Bass Holiday Classic (Hardcover)

For all of us, there are symbols of Christmas that were permanently etched in our minds in childhood. Few of those etchings come close to the magic that was created by Rankin/Bass holiday classic, 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'. No child can resist viewing it when it is televised, because it renders a timeless story about what it means to be human - exploring some of our failings and triumphs, as seen through the eyes of a child. This message is carefully delivered to us through the interaction of irresistible animated puppets.

I consider myself a fan of the TV special, having seen it when it first aired in 1964 (I was eleven years old)... and virtually every time since, that it has been aired.

After reading Rick Goldschmidt's latest book (The Making of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer), I have a much deeper appreciation of what was involved in its production.

Rick, once again, conducts exhaustive research on this Rankin/Bass classic... and then does an eloquent job placing the critical ingredients of the Rudolph TV Special on the pages of his latest book for us to ponder. We learn that the TV Special was successful because contributions to its success were made by a number of key people - all gifted in their own areas. Noteworthy, was the fact that a significant amount of animation frontiering that was done during its production. We also learn that the TV Special was comercially feasible through the involvement of one of the premier technology companies of the day - General Electric.

Rick's book pays homage to these creative individuals (and their work), while enabling us to appreciate them as well. The book includes not only a tidy assortment of 'one of a kind' behind the scenes pictures, but the 'original' screenplay. It is fascinating reading, and will be on display on my coffee table throughout the holidays, and beyond.

I highly recommend it.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! RANKIN/BASS Shine!, November 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Making Of The Rankin/Bass Holiday Classic (Hardcover)

I just received my copy of this book and I must say it has everything and more. With Rick's first book, It documented all of the RANKIN/BASS Productions as a PORTFOLIO and I love that book. This book gets into the Animation with the Animators, The Sound with the Sound guys, The voice actors with the Voice Actors and so on and so on! To top it all off, ANDREW STANTON and JOE RANFT (PIXAR/MONSTERS, INC.) make some interesting and relevant comments that put the legacy of the TV SPECIAL into perspective. Without a doubt....this book has a little SILVER and GOLD for everyone! Put it under your Christmas tree and let it shine! You may even hear it go....BLEEEEEP!

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pull up an icebox and lend an ear (and an eye)!, November 8, 2001

By 

Greg Ehrbar "'MouseTracksOnline'" (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Making Of The Rankin/Bass Holiday Classic (Hardcover)

Who hasn't wondered and marveled at the TV special that has been so much a part of holiday tradition since childhood? The foremost authority on Rankin/Bass, Rick Goldschmidt, takes us into a never-before-seen back stage world of misfit toys, reindeer and a certain dental elf with the most comprehensive history ever written about a single TV special. Generously illustrated with production photos, priceless artwork, period ads and collectibles, the story of the Rudolph special is as magical as the story of the misfit reindeer himself. Every aspect of the show is examined, from voices and music to animation and the song itself. The grand finale is Romeo Muller's actual early draft containing many "lost" sequences and plot ideas, including song concepts by Muller himself! Ask an elf to tie an umbrella to one of these books and sail it down to you ASAP!