TV SCREENINGS: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

Hey guys! Whatsoever Critic here!

Since Christmas is already upon us with Thanksgiving over and the holiday shopping, we were recently graced by CBS, when they aired this holiday classic last night. So, LarryBoy Fanatic and I decided to post our reactions to this TV special--and I'll admit, it's been a long time since we've since this classic that came from our childhoods.

So, I hope you'll enjoy this special DVD/TV SCREENINGS blog post!

(Sam the Snowman introduces himself)
WC: I think Burl Ives had a good time doing this.
LBF: Yeah. Has he ever done anything else?
WC: I don't know.

(Rudolph is born)

LBF: Oh my God! He's so cute!
WC: It's been a few minutes, and already you're all goo-goo ga-ga over him?
LBF: (laughing) I can't help it! It's cute!

(Hermey the elf admits to wanting to be a dentist)

LBF: (mimicking the elf boss) A dentist? Don't be silly! You need this minimum-wage job! That makes sense! 
WC: But come on! I hear dentists get paid a whole lot. So why not be a dentist?
(The boss doesn't let Hermey go on a break, and tells him to finish a job, or he's "fired.")
LBF: (mimicking Hermey) Screw you, fat man! I don't wanna be your slave!
WC: Whoa! That was a good impression!
Both girls: (laughing)

(The reindeer games scene)

LBF: Well, that was quick. Rudolph making friends...
WC: Let's see how long that lasts...

(Rudolph meets Clarice)

LBF: They're totally meant for each other.
WC: I know.

(Scene with Clarice after Rudolph's humiliation)

WC: I'd say that this is an interesting story. Like, you can't deny that there are stories like this, where the underdog gets bullied, and it takes a voice of reason to step in and be there for that person.
LBF: This soooo reminds me of my own childhood. I wish I had more friends like that.

(Rudolph meets Hermey, and they sing a song)

LBF: This song... I don't know. Didn't they sing a different song than this? Or have I been so distant from this movie for so long that I had forgotten?
WC: Okay, so I looked it up, and... you're right. The original song was "Fame and Fortune." This one is something "Misfits."
LBF: Okay... So I'm not crazy! Thank God!

(Sam the Snowman shutters at seeing the Bumble the Abominable Snowman)
WC: Wow.
LBF: Even the narrator is scared of this story!
WC: And this scene just keeps going!

(Sam the Snowman sings "Silver and Gold")
LBF: Oh, now he's okay. Wow.
WC: Question... Is this song even warranted?
LBF: I don't get it.

(Yukon Cornelius helps the characters escape)

WC: This guy is friggin' awesome!
LBF: (laughing) Wow!
WC: Keep digging for gold, guys! Then maybe our boy, Sam, will sing a song about it.
Both girls: (laughing)

(The Island of Misfit Toys scene)

LBF: I don't get it. A lot of these toys look normal to me.
WC: Yeah. They would be welcomed in today's world, no doubt.
LBF: Like the elephant? He looks cute. And that owl that swims? That's original! Who would hate on that?

(Rudolph leaves the island to go on his own)

LBF: I don't know. He shouldn't have left the group. They could've worked things out at least. They seem like great people to be with.

(Rudolph stops Bumble from harming his family and Clarice)
WC: (mimicking the monster) Who disturbs my play time?! Playing with my reindeer action figures here!
LBF: (laughing)

(Yukon tackles the monster)
LBF: Why isn't this guy on WWE wrestling?

(Rudolph and friends return home)

WC: About time we get to the apologies.

LBF: Yeah, that's really lame that it had to take this long.
WC: They ain't doing it again next year!

(Yukon returns with Bumble, who's now a good monster)
LBF: Yukon's like a man among men!
WC: Is there anything that he can't do?

(Santa enlists Rudolph to lead his sleigh)

LBF: (mimicks Santa) Hey, Rudolph! We finally have a use for you! Headlights!
WC: (laughing)
LBF: They should've seen this before, but they didn't.

(Ending scene)

LBF: So, yeah. The Misfit toys are finally gonna have homes.
WC: So why did it take them this long?
LBF: I don't know.

DISCUSSION
WC: All this time, I've been avoiding watching this special, because I was thinking that it was weird. I mean, the Frosty the Snowman special was a complete turn-off for me, because it looked weird and sounded weird. But for this one, I'll forgive it more.
LBF: This one, I was able to tolerate more than Frosty, because I understood the story, and I have that personal connection to it. Because being bullied for being different... that's happened to me a lot during my childhood. But anyway, I would definitely watch this again.
WC: Yeah, and... Wow.
LBF: What?
WC: Mom's upset that we didn't tell her that this show was on.
LBF: Well, let's make it up to her. Buy the DVD.
WC: I agree. Don't worry, Mom. We'll make it up to you. By the way, I heard that A Charlie Brown Christmas is gonna be coming out soon. ABC.
LBF: We ain't gonna miss that one!
WC: So final thoughts on this special?
LBF: Yeah. We need to get the DVD.
WC: I just remembered. I have the VHS tape... but I don't know if it works anymore. So, it's best to get the DVD ASAP.
LBF: Right.

Whatsoever Critic