Rankin/Bass-historian

(This is the RUDOLPH image I lent GOLDEN BOOKS FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT in the late 1990's and was given credit for on the RANKIN/BASS DVD releases of the late 1990's and into the early 2000's)

BRANSON, Mo., December 22, 2012 — Recognized nationally for its outstanding Christmas lighting with its millions of sparkling Christmas lights, is it possible that the addition of just one more “light” would even be noticeable at Silver Dollar City’s “Ole Time Christmas in Branson?” “Well if that light happens to be ‘red’ and on the nose of ‘RANKIN/BASS' Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer®’ it sure could,” said Tiffany Isnard, the Director of Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center.

The story of Rudolph and his red nose was first told by Robert L. May in 1939 and became a part of Christmas tradition when his brother-in-law adapted the story into a song which was made famous by cowboy crooner Gene Autry. The song actually went to the top of Billboard’s Pop Singles Chart and Rudolph has been featured in full length movies, children’s books and RANKIN/BASS TV specials ever since, becoming a special part of the Christmas memories of many children and their families.

Recently, Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE), the country’s largest family-owned theme park company and the operator of Silver Dollar City, announced that it has “a licensing agreement which provides” it “with rights to develop and showcase new entertainment attractions based on the beloved and iconic Christmas character,RANKIN/BASS'  Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer® and his cast of friends, including the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice and the Island of Misfit Toys..” It grants HFE the “opportunity to develop original interactive experiences, attraction films, short and long form live stage shows, parades, light shows and other attractions centered on the famed RANKIN/BASS reindeer and his cast of friends.”

“For more than half a century, HFE has successfully created family-centric attractions and
experiences which tell classic holiday stories such as ‘A Christmas Carol,’ ‘The Christmas Story’
and ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ in new ways. We’re thrilled to now bring Rudolph and his friends to life for our guests,” said Anthony Esparza, senior vice president, guest experiences for HFE. “Their appeal and story is universal. We’re eager to creatively expand their popularity using new media and environments.”

Although no specific announcement was made as to when or which HFE properties would feature any “new Rudolph-themed attractions,” it was announced that HFE plans to do so “as early as Christmas 2013.” Whenever it happens, the addition of “Rudolph’s red nose” to the over four million lights already displayed at Silver Dollar City during its Old Time Christmas celebration will just enhance Silver Dollars City’s legend of “Creating memories worth repeating®.”