by Cindy Walker Burton

I recently watched my favorite animated Christmas movie, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. I have faithfully watched Rudolph every year since its iconic inaugural broadcast in 1964. I am an unabashed Rudolph super fan with 61 venerable viewings under my belt. I adore the nurturing nostalgia, heartwarming humor, and cheery charm. Rudolph reigns!

I appreciate this legendary, labor intensive claymation production by Rankin/Bass and it’s incredible 64,680 frames of film spanning 47 momentous minutes. Folks, I’ll be the first to proudly declare: “They don’t make ’em like that anymore.” Rudolph reigns!

Historical Footnote.

Historically, it is important to remember that Rudolph was released in 1964, a transformative tumultuous year that included heinous civil rights violations, deep-seated racial inequality, countercultural changes, and anti-war sentiment. In retrospect, perhaps a lighthearted holiday dose of Rudolph was just what the doctor ordered and what America needed. It was an attraction that provided distraction from societal fraction.

Life Lessons.

This cherished family favorite is laden and layered with life lessons:

1. Be true to yourself. Rudolph is bullied, verbally abused, and marginalized by his father, Santa, and reindeer peers solely on the basis of his appearance. Rudolph overcomes social constructs while remaining principled and genuinely authentic. Action Item: Be yourself: everyone else is taken.

2. Friendship is a treasure. Rudolph is befriended by an ostracized elf named Hermey who aspires to be a dentist. Hermey sings, “We’re a couple of misfits, that’s why we fit in.” Clarice is a female peer deer who accepts Rudolph unconditionally and remains a devoted friend to the end. Yukon Cornelius is a quirky prospector who befriends Rudolph and saves him from the treacherous abominable snowman, Bumble. Friendship is the perfect blendship! Action Item: The only way to have a friend is to be one.

3. Teamwork makes the dream work. Rudolph and Hermey teamed up on an adventure of self discovery (pal power). Rudolph’s mother and Clarice teamed up (girl power) to search for Rudolph. Yukon Cornelius and his sled dog team (pet power) led Rudolph and Hermey to the Island of Misfit Toys. Santa and his reindeer team (deer peer power) delivered the melancholy-now-mirthful Misfit Toys for Christmas. Action Item: Be a team player, because Together We Achieve More.

Rudolph the Role Model.

Rudolph resisted and persisted. Rudolph believed and achieved. Rudolph prevailed and excelled. Rudolph was scorned but went airborne. Rudolph’s temporary pain led to permanent gain. It’s no mystery; Rudolph went down in history. Rudolph reigns!