Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
The longest-running Christmas special in television history.
A reindeer with a glowing nose, an elf who wants to be a dentist, a prospector, and the Island of Misfit Toys — all in glorious stop-motion. Narrated by Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman, this 1964 Rankin/Bass special has aired every single year since, and its message about misfits belonging is why.
This has aired every year since 1964, the longest-running Christmas special in television history. The story began as a 1939 booklet Robert L. May wrote for Montgomery Ward stores, became Johnny Marks' hit song, and then Rankin/Bass's Animagic puppets — built in Japan, voiced in Canada, narrated by Burl Ives as a folksy snowman — made it immortal. The misfit toys, Hermey the would-be dentist, and Yukon Cornelius gave generations of kids a gentle parable: the thing that makes you an outcast is the thing that saves Christmas.
From the Film
The Facts
- Year
- 1964
- Director
- Larry Roemer
- Runtime
- 47 minutes
- Genres
- Animation, Family, Comedy, Classic
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Billie Mae Richards | Rudolph |
| Burl Ives | Sam the Snowman |
| Larry Mann | Yukon Cornelius |
| Paul Soles | Hermey |
| Stan Francis | Santa Claus |
| Janis Orenstein | Clarice |
Good to know: The Rankin/Bass stop-motion special is described as the longest-running holiday TV special, and was Rankin/Bass's first Christmas special.
Where to watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Streaming lineups change every season, so check the current options to stream, rent, or own it:
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More from the 1960s — or browse the full A–Z catalog.
