I wrote about Janis Orenstein (Clarice) in my upcoming Rudolph article, in Retrofan magazine issue #12. Recording engineer Bill Giles remembers her well. Clarice was based on Romeo Muller's friend Clarice. I connected with Janis, just after my Rudolph book came out in 2001, when she was singing opera in Germany. She passed away in Ontario in 2010. #Rudolphtherednosedreindeer #rankinbassproductions #Christmas www.miserbros.com

Bill Giles talks about Janis Orenstein (Clarice) in my RetroFan magazine Rudolph article issue #12 out soon!

Bill Giles Wednesday

Bill Giles called me today and we had a nice long chat! Bill was the recording engineer in Canada for Rankin/Bass' Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer! He also engineered many legendary sessions with artists such as Elvis Presley, Perry Como, Sonny and Cher and even worked on preparing Beatle tracks for the US. This story

 Janis Orenstein was the wonderful voice

C. 2001 Miser Bros Press/Rick Goldschmidt Archives  

always impresses me! Did you know Janis Orenstein nailed her performance of "There's Always Tomorrow" in one take? Bill says He and Bunny Cowan were the only ones in the studio with Janis and her Mom. They recorded a 2nd take as a backup, but they used the first performance for the special! Bill says she was in the studio for all of 15 minutes. Janis went on to become an Opera singer and the last I heard from her, she was living in Germany. Bill said he heard Alfie Scopp (Charlie-In-the-box) passed away. Alfie signed my GE ad and last I heard he was 96. Bill also confirmed that Peg Dixon was the voice of Mrs. Claus. I couldn't remember. #clarice #billgiles #rankinbass #rudolphtherednosedreindeer #canada #rcarecordingstudio #rcavictor #theresalwaystomorrow

JANIS ORENSTEIN

Bill reminded me of this story from my book THE MAKING OF THE RANKIN/BASS HOLIDAY CLASSIC: RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER, which I forgot about Janis Orenstein (Clarice) came to the studio after school with her mom to record "There's Always Tomorrow," and nailed it on the first take! He said he never recorded anyone that did that...it was rare. He had her do a few more takes BUT it was the first take that made it into the special and on the soundtrack album. He also told me about a soundtrack album that was attempted in the studio, that was beyond the DECCA LP that was released, that was a total disaster and never released.