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Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Making Of The Rankin/Bass Holiday Classic
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!
- GenresChristmasNonfictionArt
216 pages, Hardcover
First published October 30, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 9, 2021
For me this is the Mecca of all books! I’m a huge animation fan and an even bigger stop-motion animation fan. I have watched and studied all the classics ranging from Harryhausen to Tim Burton and Henry Selick to Gumby right up through Laika, the Chiodo Brothers, Stoopid Buddy and Pixar’s history through to today. I even produced an stopmo show and was blessed to meet a lot of the animators and legends in that tight-knit world.
This classic is dear (deer) to all who have seen it and comes with a large helping of nostalgia. This book gives incredible detail and historical accuracy from Rick Goldschmidt, who serves as Rankin/Bass’ official historian.
The book comes with pictures of original ads, a full annotated script and tons of factual tidbits. For example did you know that most of Rankin/Bass’ actual animation was subcontracted out to studios in Japan, like MOM Film studio, who until this day remain largely uncredited?!
This book deserves its spot in history and if you’re a fan of the show, Christmas, animation or stopmo, you’re going to love it. In the words of Yukon Cornelius, “It’s gold! GGGGGOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLDDDDDDDD!!!
This classic is dear (deer) to all who have seen it and comes with a large helping of nostalgia. This book gives incredible detail and historical accuracy from Rick Goldschmidt, who serves as Rankin/Bass’ official historian.
The book comes with pictures of original ads, a full annotated script and tons of factual tidbits. For example did you know that most of Rankin/Bass’ actual animation was subcontracted out to studios in Japan, like MOM Film studio, who until this day remain largely uncredited?!
This book deserves its spot in history and if you’re a fan of the show, Christmas, animation or stopmo, you’re going to love it. In the words of Yukon Cornelius, “It’s gold! GGGGGOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLDDDDDDDD!!!
December 2, 2018
A Special Book on a Classic Special
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is my favorite holiday special of all time. I remember the first time it aired so vividly when I was four years old. I have never gotten over that special feeling from the first time I saw it and how that feeling is fresh with me to this day. Rick Goldschmidt, in this book, has captured the wonderful elements of that holiday classic. He gives us the history and background of how the special came to be. If there were conflicts on the set then he explains those very well. I am so glad I picked up this book and I’m going to read Mr. Goldscmidt’s other book on Rankin-Bass now that I have finished this one.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is my favorite holiday special of all time. I remember the first time it aired so vividly when I was four years old. I have never gotten over that special feeling from the first time I saw it and how that feeling is fresh with me to this day. Rick Goldschmidt, in this book, has captured the wonderful elements of that holiday classic. He gives us the history and background of how the special came to be. If there were conflicts on the set then he explains those very well. I am so glad I picked up this book and I’m going to read Mr. Goldscmidt’s other book on Rankin-Bass now that I have finished this one.
November 9, 2022
To truly enjoy this book you likely need to be a bigger fan of the show than I am. Still it was fascinating to get the back story on this film. Things like the many versions of the script I just skipped through.
February 16, 2023
I love stop motion and I love this film. This book is a very thorough behind the scenes look and includes the original script. It definitely increased my appreciation for this timeless classic.
December 11, 2024
This has many recollections from cast and crew although most of them are dead.
Rudolph did very well.
Rudolph did very well.
December 2, 2016
This review originally published in
When I subscribed to Kindle Unlimited (something I didn't think I would do, but did so on someone else's behalf) I decided to see what books might be available for loan. This was one of the first ones to come up on my screen (scary how well Amazon knows me!) and I checked it out right away.
It is a quick read, and while author Rick Goldschmidt doesn't go too in-depth, he does touch on a lot of topics and I was fascinated and informed. I can honestly say that I knew nothing about Rankin, Bass, or anyone involved with the creation of this classic. I'm still not sure I know too much about Rankin or Bass, but I do know more about Romeo Muller (the writer of the story) and the creation of the 'animagic' process. The animation was done in Japan with a team of people who each had an incredibly detailed chart of their characters' movements needed for each frame of photography.
I really delighted with the photos from behind the scenes -- the sets, the characters and the people posing them. I liked reading how the posers would wear white gloves to keep fingerprints off of the characters and to try to prevent stray fibers during each shot.
One of my favorite parts of the book was the inclusion of an early version of the script, complete with notes and 'X'ed' out dialog. To me, this sort of thing has always been fascinating ... to see the process, where it started and how it got to where it finished.
I was not aware of the changes, over the years, from the first broadcast to what we see today. I did not realize that there was a 're-do' on the end credits and that some of the names were misspelled in the re-shoot. There is also information regarding a new scene and a lost scene that was supposed to air after it was discovered, and still was edited out of the television showing (if you want to know why, you'll have to read the book).
While I'm glad to have had the chance to read this on my Kindle, this is actually the sort of book that I'd love to sit and look through, page by page, really studying the pictures. And Kindle's aren't good for that. This is one of those books that I'd like to see in paper. But I am just glad to have had the chance to learn a little more about this great show.
Looking for a good book? Rick Goldschmidt's The Making of the Rankin/Bass Holiday Classic: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a really nice slice of entertainment history and should be enjoyed by anyone who fondly recalls the animagic "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" special, television history, or a good behind-the-scenes exploration book.
When I subscribed to Kindle Unlimited (something I didn't think I would do, but did so on someone else's behalf) I decided to see what books might be available for loan. This was one of the first ones to come up on my screen (scary how well Amazon knows me!) and I checked it out right away.
It is a quick read, and while author Rick Goldschmidt doesn't go too in-depth, he does touch on a lot of topics and I was fascinated and informed. I can honestly say that I knew nothing about Rankin, Bass, or anyone involved with the creation of this classic. I'm still not sure I know too much about Rankin or Bass, but I do know more about Romeo Muller (the writer of the story) and the creation of the 'animagic' process. The animation was done in Japan with a team of people who each had an incredibly detailed chart of their characters' movements needed for each frame of photography.
I really delighted with the photos from behind the scenes -- the sets, the characters and the people posing them. I liked reading how the posers would wear white gloves to keep fingerprints off of the characters and to try to prevent stray fibers during each shot.
One of my favorite parts of the book was the inclusion of an early version of the script, complete with notes and 'X'ed' out dialog. To me, this sort of thing has always been fascinating ... to see the process, where it started and how it got to where it finished.
I was not aware of the changes, over the years, from the first broadcast to what we see today. I did not realize that there was a 're-do' on the end credits and that some of the names were misspelled in the re-shoot. There is also information regarding a new scene and a lost scene that was supposed to air after it was discovered, and still was edited out of the television showing (if you want to know why, you'll have to read the book).
While I'm glad to have had the chance to read this on my Kindle, this is actually the sort of book that I'd love to sit and look through, page by page, really studying the pictures. And Kindle's aren't good for that. This is one of those books that I'd like to see in paper. But I am just glad to have had the chance to learn a little more about this great show.
Looking for a good book? Rick Goldschmidt's The Making of the Rankin/Bass Holiday Classic: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a really nice slice of entertainment history and should be enjoyed by anyone who fondly recalls the animagic "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" special, television history, or a good behind-the-scenes exploration book.
September 21, 2015
Excellent read.
Rick's book is an excellent read. Written I think as a labor of love as well as a fine historical and informative account of the making of probably the most loved holiday special. Although it could probably use an afterword update, since it was written in 2001, the history is concise and the characters in the special come to life again. Also, there are photos of some of the actors who voiced the characters, which I'd never seen before. Give it a read now, as the beloved classic will be airing again very soon.
Rick's book is an excellent read. Written I think as a labor of love as well as a fine historical and informative account of the making of probably the most loved holiday special. Although it could probably use an afterword update, since it was written in 2001, the history is concise and the characters in the special come to life again. Also, there are photos of some of the actors who voiced the characters, which I'd never seen before. Give it a read now, as the beloved classic will be airing again very soon.
January 1, 2008
I'm a huge fan of the old Rankin Bass specials and stop-motion animation.
This book is filled with lots of behind the scenes stories and tidbits.
Best part is lots of scans of old ads for the TV Specials and merchandise along with reviews from the night it aired. Also the complete original script in reprinted.
I'd like to read more about the rest of the specials produced after Rudolf now.
This book is filled with lots of behind the scenes stories and tidbits.
Best part is lots of scans of old ads for the TV Specials and merchandise along with reviews from the night it aired. Also the complete original script in reprinted.
I'd like to read more about the rest of the specials produced after Rudolf now.
December 8, 2013
Written more about the production end of the special, but there are more than a few interesting tidbits in here. It includes the original script by Romeo Muller and information on a few scenes deleted from the original special because of commercial time restraints.”
November 28, 2007
I haven't read this yet, but I know that it deserves 5 stars.
June 9, 2014
More detail than you probably ever wanted, but I picked this up on a whim for my Kindle and enjoyed reading it at holiday time.
December 21, 2014
Rudolph fan
Great insight but with the digital version trying to read the original script was a huge disappointment. I couldn't get the pages enlarged enough. Maybe you can..????
Great insight but with the digital version trying to read the original script was a huge disappointment. I couldn't get the pages enlarged enough. Maybe you can..????
December 7, 2016
Great book about a great Christmas special
I really enjoy behind the scenes stories and this was a great one! I recommend this book to people who like backstage kinds of stories.
I really enjoy behind the scenes stories and this was a great one! I recommend this book to people who like backstage kinds of stories.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews