What a fantastic find! Characters from the original 1964 show, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” have jumped from the screen, and landed in the foyer at 77 West Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago.
Talk about a Christmas classic! The original program used a method called, “stop motion“animation, bringing the characters to life in such a delightful way. The photo above is that of “Sam the Snowman,” with the wonderful voice of Burl Ives.
Now who do we have here? Why, it’s Rudolph, prospector Yukon Cornelius, and Hermey, the wayward elf whose passion for dentistry is a mighty cry from his employ as one of Santa’s little helpers!
And where have our intrepid travelers landed? Why, it’s the Island of Misfit Toys! Here’s Charlie, who bemoaned (and rightfully so) “What child would want to play with a Charlie in the Box?”
Ah, here’s dolly (I think she’s lovely!)
This cutie-pie elephant with his lovely pink spots!
And train with its square wheels!
His Royal Highness, gentle King Moonracer (the winged lion and monarch of the island) asks our traveling trio to make sure they tell Santa all about the toys on Misfit Island (*spoiler alert: they do and Santa picks up all the toys and delivers them to girls and boys all over the world on Christmas Eve).
Apparently in the very first showing of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa doesn’t go to Misfit Island and pick up the toys. There was such a brouhaha over it that eventually they added the scene where Santa does indeed rescue the toys (and rightfully so, I might add!)
Major kudos to the folks who designed this remarkable display. I think they’ve done a brilliant job at showing us these treasured Christmas characters in ‘real life.’
Have you seen this program? If so, who is your favorite character?
The Chicago Files 