Rudolph Demonstrates Earlier Values in American Culture

Michael Streich November 4, 2009 

1964 was, according to writer Jon Margolis, the “last innocent year” and the “beginning of the ‘sixties.’” It was the year the Beatles first appeared on the Billboard chart with “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and it was the year the Beatles made their American debut, first on the Ed Sullivan Show and then live at the Washington, DC Coliseum. Muhammad Ali became world heavyweight boxing champion and Sidney Poitier was the first African American to win a Best Actor award. 1964 was also the debut of America’s most enduring Christmas specials, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” on December 6^th, sponsored exclusively by General Electric.

 

The United States Over Fifty Years ago

 

“Rudolph” aired five months after the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was passed by Congress and one month after Lyndon Johnson became president. It was a time Americans, every wary of worldwide Communism and the Domino Theory, were moving closer to the tragedy of Vietnam. Whether by accident or subtly indirect, “Rudolph,” in many ways, paralleled those fears while positing the notion that in the end, good always triumphs over evil.

 

Despite being treated as a misfit by everyone including his father, Donner, Rudolph remained polite, addressing everyone as “sir.” Jeopardizing his own life for the good of his friends, he secretly left the Island of Misfit toys alone, his shiny nose making him a sure target of the Abominable Snow Monster. These were powerful messages for children watching the story on television.

 

The Abominable or “Bumble” represented the antithesis of all Rudolph was taught to believe. According to Sam the Snowman, “He’s mean and nasty…and he hates anything to do with Christmas.” Nothing could be more un-American in 1964 than hating Christmas. In the original screenplay, Donner advises his son that “Someday…we’ll be rid of that Abominable Snow Monster, then Christmasville will be safe for good.”

 

Gender Roles and Masculine Stereotypes

 

Rudolph’s nose sets him apart, much like Hermey’s desire to be a dentist, hardly a suitable profession for an elf. Yet Hermey doesn’t even look like an elf, making him a misfit all the more. In both cases, the characters are mocked and shunned because they don’t fit into established male roles. When Donner decides to finally brave the storm and search for his buck, he forbids his wife to join him: “this is man’s work.”

 

Eventually, both Mrs. Donner and Rudolph’s girlfriend Clarice break the norms and set off on their own. The entire party is captured by the Snow Monster and held in his cave. Rudolph attempts to fight the monster but is knocked unconscious. At this point, Yukon, Rudolph’s friend from the journey to the Island of Misfit Toys, and Hermey use ingenuity and subterfuge to neutralize the beast by pulling his teeth. Once the teeth are pulled, the threat is over.

 

Aftermath and Redemption

 

Both Rudolph and Hermey are welcomed back, each allowed to find their niche within the conformity of Christmas Town. Even the Abominable, now tamed, joins the community, finding a positive way to make a difference. Christmas is saved from cancellation when Rudolph’s nose enables Santa to cut through the fog and make his deliveries.

 

The story of Rudolph, taken from Robert May’s 1939 story and Johnny Marks’ 1949 hit song, represented sacrifice, heroism, social acceptance, and perseverance. American children were taught these same traits in school in regard to the Cold War. “Rudolph” merely reinforced this message.

 

Sources:

 

Rick Goldschmidt, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Making of the Rankin/Bass Holiday Classic (Bridgeview, Il: Miser Bros. Press, 2001)

Jon Margolis, The Last Innocent Year: America in 1964 (New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1999)

Karal Ann Marling, Merry Christmas: Celebrating America’s Greatest Holiday (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2000)

Any republication of this article in any form may only be made with the written permission of the author.