Art Is… Bev Jackson Cotter

Is Rudolph real?

Of course he is. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. My book, dated 1939, with its worn red cover, was one of my very first Christmas gifts. It’s still on the shelf in my library.

Rudolph is as much a part of Christmas as Santa Claus. How else could Santa manage his worldwide flight on such a short timetable? He must depend on Rudolph’s amazingly bright light and his unerring navigational ability.

In 1938, several years into the Great Depression, Robert L. May, worried about his wife’s declining health and the well being of their only child, was working as an advertising copywriter for Montgomery Ward. He was asked to write a Christmas story to be given away to children who accompanied adults in the store. The story was to be a sales gimmick promoting more holiday shopping. When Robert L. May was a child, skinny and shy, he was often teased by other children, so he wrote the story of Rudolph based on his own real life experiences.

What started as a promotional item was so successful that the company gave away more than two million copies that first year, and the following year began selling an assortment of Rudolph themed toys and other items. In 1947 Montgomery Ward turned the copyright over to May enabling him to get beyond his early financial struggles and to profit from the incredible popularity of the story.

Some interesting notes: At first, May couldn’t decide on the reindeer’s name. In the Dartmouth College archives, which now houses the entire Rudolph collection, there is a listing in May’s handwriting with names like Romeo, Reginald, Reggy, Roland, Rollo and Roderick.

Another interesting tidbit: In 1950 when Gene Autry was asked to do the song, he at first refused, thinking it was silly and not at all his style. He eventually sold millions of records of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

Is Rudolph real?

Of course he is. Just ask any child, or child-at-heart, who grew up with the story.

How else would I have memorized the names of all the reindeer pulling Santa’a sleigh? And what a wonderful way for a child to learn one of life’s most valuable lessons — that someone who is different from you is important in your life.

When the other reindeer teased Rudolph about his nose, saying things like, “It is red as a beet!” “It is twice as big!” “It is twice as bright,” he could only cry. But then Santa said, “…you may yet save the day! Your wonderful forehead may yet pave the way for a wonderful Christmas! It actually might!”

Rudolph’s “wonderful forehead.” How understanding Santa was. How exciting and soul satisfying for the teased and lonely young reindeer to be named Santa’s commander in chief.

Where did Rudolph really come from? From the pain of a shy young boy’s struggle with his peers, a father’s love of his daughter, his thankfulness for a job during the Depression and from his own incredible creativity.

Where is Rudolph going? For 75 years, Rudolph has been entertaining and teaching. May his legend continue for many, many more.

 

Bev Jackson Cotter is a member of the Albert Lea Art Center.