The true tale of ‘Rudolph’

The Christmas classic’s unfortunate beginning 

KATE ROBERTS / CONTRIBUTOR / THE USD VISTA

For many, crackling fires, warm smiles and sweet smells of baked treats trigger all the senses in preparation for the holiday season. Good tidings of great joy dance along the faces of happy families gathering together in perfect harmony, celebrating the abundance of the year. The façade of universal joy seems to permeate every television screen during the moments leading up to Christmas and New Year’s. 

However, the holiday season can also look more like a looming cloud for many. Gray skies, empty homes and the taunting echoes of loneliness seem to grow louder during the month of December — feelings that are not generally marketable by mainstream media. Sometimes the warm stories we have come to love have cold beginnings. 

In Chicago during the holiday season of 1938, Bob May was at a loss for good tidings of great joy. He was stuck in his lifeless job writing ads, while he and his daughter watched Evelyn May, his wife, lose a two-year battle to cancer. 

Life couldn’t seem more grim. Nights were long for Bob and Barbara hoping and wishing Evelyn would see the light of another day. During one of those lengthy nights Barbara asked Bob “Why isn’t my mommy like everybody else’s mommy?” Barbara’s discomfort with feeling the difference from her peers triggered old memories for Bob to resurface. 

Painful memories of never feeling like he belonged during his childhood seemed inescapable. In attempts to help mend the heart of his daughter and heal his inner child, Bob began to dictate what would be known as one of the greatest Christmas stories of all time. 

USD junior Emilia Honey appreciates the behind the scenes stories of familiar classics.

“So many holiday movies share a similar premise, however you rarely know the background of the movie and the intention behind why it was produced,” Honey said. 

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’’ originally hit the screens in 1948. The storyline — although much more simple than what we see today — is powerful and pertinent for many. 

Interpretations may vary and for USD senior, Harley Wahl the classic story represents an important message. 

“The things that set you apart and make you unique are truly what make you special and in Rudolph’s case can end up saving the day,” Wahl said. 

However, the story’s complexity can reveal itself in different ways. The story takes place in the snowy mountains, where young reindeer frolic and play. However, one reindeer seems to be the brunt  of every joke. Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer has always stood out, due to the unusual, bright light on his face. The reindeer children tease and laugh at Rudolph, making him feel like an outcast. Sad and lonely, Rudolph retreats to his room to patiently await the joy that Santa Claus will bring on Christmas Day. 

On the night of Christmas Eve, a thick fog settled over the area where Rudolph lives, causing Santa’s sleigh to crash. The possibility of continuing the journey under the present conditions was grim — until Santa saw a bright light coming from Rudolph’s bedroom window. 

Santa, seeing a solution to his problem, softly wakes Rudolph from his sleep. Rudolph frantically tries to hide his bright nose, but Santa pays no mind and begins to tell him of the perils of his foggy journey. 

With a newfound appreciation for his nose, Rudolph leads the reindeers on Santa’s sleigh, piercing through the fog with his guiding light. Making such an impression on Santa that night, Rudolph was made to be commander and chief of the reindeer race. 

Oftentimes, the holidays can cause us to feel like there is a thick fog lingering in our minds or surrounding our day to day. 

Paralyzed by the confusion of what way is the path of least resistance, we may not know how to navigate getting through this season. In the original movie, Santa’s reindeer didn’t aid in finding a way to keep going through the night. Once the sleigh crashed, they gave up and gave in to hopelessness. 

However, Santa decided to look for a solution to work through the fog. For many, this season isn’t always merry and bright and creates challenges. For Rudolph, Santa was rather clear, “Rudolph with your nose so bright, won’t you join my sleigh tonight?” 

Rudolph’s willingness to step into the fog, guided him and others into the light of a new day.  

For Bob May, this bedtime story became his guiding light, through one of his darkest holiday seasons. After making his first physical copy of the bedtime story as a Christmas gift to his daughter Barbara, word spread of the story of Rudolph. When asked to read the story at his company Christmas party, Bob May was met with a standing ovation. 

The company — Montgomery Ward — saw an opportunity and offered to buy the rights to the book from May. 

During this time a great deal of debt had piled up from his wife’s cancer treatment and overall living expenses. So, May gladly accepted. 

However, his intimate story was no longer his, and Montgomery Ward was reaping the benefits — selling over six million copies of the story over the course of six years. 

Nonetheless, in line with the holidays and the giving spirit Montgomery Ward miraculously returned all rights to Bob May, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer saw great success for years to come. 

For the May family and families all over, the story of Rudolph’s bright light led them through the loneliness of night and brought them to the bright horizon of new beginnings full of good tidings and great joy.