Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer 50th Anniversary

Hi. Haven't been here since before the forum change, but I want to follow up on an old topic (whose thread was kept alive by Dave here: Petition to fix Rudolph special | Big Cartoon Forum) which is pertinent again. This has to do with the Rankin-Bass Christmas classic "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer," which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. As you may know, the special as it has aired since 2005 is choppy, out-of-sync, warped, and has an entire sequence (the "We're A Couple of Misfits" song) in which the video and audio do not match, because the video is taken from the deleted scene "Fame and Fortune." I run the www.billiemaerichards.com website, and interviewed Billie years ago (she is the voice of Rudolph). She and many other talents who brought us this classic have passed away in recent years; the list includes Janis Orenstein (who voiced Clarice), Larry D. Mann (who voiced Yukon Cornelius) and Arthur Rankin, who of course was the producer and co-chairman of Rankin-Bass Studios. Because of the my great respect for these individuals, as well as the fact that Rudolph is turning 50, I have been making every effort to get CBS to re-edit and remaster the program for airing this year. This includes submitting to CBS the petition which was referenced in the old thread (www.petitiononline.com/rudolph), and creating and sending CBS a video detailing the problem with the show as it now airs, with an example of how it could be corrected. I've posted this video on YouTube, and although YT compresses it a lot, the idea comes across; you can view it here:

I'm posting again on BCDB to encourage other fans to support the effort to get Rudolph aired in a quality format for this milestone year. It's certainly time to get the special fixed up, and anyone who'd like to help can do so by sending a letter to CBS (specifically Jack Sussman, EVP Special Programming, CBS Entertainment, 7800 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90036-2112). You can also help by signing the petition I've linked, which in spite of having been sent to to its recipient already, I will continue to re-send as new signatures are added. And I would VERY much appreciate it if you could click my YouTube video link. This will give it some page views (all of which must be unique users), and in doing so show CBS that there is interest in this project and supporters of an improved televised version of Rudolph.

Yes, Rudolph is available as it should be seen on blu-ray, but there is something special about watching it on TV every year, something everyone who grew up watching its yearly broadcast can understand. I hope you'll lend your support to this endeavor. One way or another, let me take this opportunity to express my thanks to Billie, Arthur, Janis, Larry and the many others, departed and otherwise, who gave us one of the most enduring of animated works. Happy 50th anniversary, Rudolph!

Interesting, I have never noticed the problems that Rudolph has experienced over the last 50 years. It seems to be a problem across the animation spectrum.

Going of topic a bit, I have a 1988 recording of Jack Frost and it is vastly different then the recordings shown the last 10 years. The Charlie Brown specials have been gutted so much that some generations might not know any different.

Good luck!

Video was taken down by YouTube temporarily. Have to go through the usual dispute process to counter the automated copyright claims. Hopefully back up soon.

They really should do something special this year to mark the occasion, like airing a show about the making of Rudolph.