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About This Quiz
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, is our favorite misfit. But how much do you know about his origin story and his adventures, as told in the original poem, the TV special we all grew up with, and pop culture?
Who is the eighth reindeer mentioned in the famous song, "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer"?
Vixen.
Blitzen.
The eighth reindeer mentioned is Blitzen: "You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, / Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen."
Rudolph.
Prancer.
In the Rankin/Bass "Rudolph" special, what is one of the insulting names the young bucks call Rudolph after they see his shiny nose?
Bright Snoot.
Fire Schnoz.
Fire Snoot.
One of the young bucks calls Rudolph "Fire Snoot" after Fireball accidentally knocks off Rudolph's nose cover. Coach Comet sees Rudolph's shiny nose and tells the other yearlings that they shouldn't let Rudolph join in any reindeer games.
Red Snuffer.
Who created the character and story of Rudolph?
Johnny Marks.
Robert L. May.
Robert L. May created the character and story of Rudolph, back in 1939, when he was a copywriter at Montgomery Ward in Chicago. The department store released Rudolph's story as a children's book for the holiday season.
Clement C. Moore.
Charles Dickens.
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On what date did the Rankin/Bass "Rudolph" Christmas special first air?
December 6, 1964.
Rankin/Bass' "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" first aired on December 6, 1964, on NBC, sponsored by General Electric.
December 24, 1959.
December 13, 1963.
December 20, 1965.
How tall was the Bumble puppet figurine, used by animators to film the Rankin/Bass "Rudolph" Christmas special?
8 inches.
20 inches.
5 inches.
14 inches.
The Bumble puppet was 14 inches tall. By comparison, Santa was 8 inches and Rudolph was 4 inches.
Johnny Marks, who wrote the song, "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer," also wrote which other iconic Christmas songs?
"Carol of the Bells" and "Jingle Bell Rock."
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "A Holly Jolly Christmas."
Johnny Marks wrote "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "A Holly Jolly Christmas." "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" was a hit for Brenda Lee. "A Holly Jolly Christmas" was recorded by Burl Ives and featured at the end of the Rankin/Bass version of Rudolph's story.
"Little Saint Nick" and "Silver Bells."
"Please Come Home for Christmas" and "The Twelve Days of Christmas."
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What is the year of copyright, in Roman numerals, as shown on the Rankin/Bass version of "Rudolph"?
MCMLXIII.
MCMLXIV.
MCLXIII.
MCLXIV.
The year of copyright should be MCMLXIV in Roman numerals, to represent 1964. However, in the "Rudolph" special the displayed year is MCLXIV. This is clearly an error. MCLXIV would mean the show was copyrighted in the year 1164.
What are the first lines of the original "Rudolph" story, written by Robert L. May?
"'Twas the day before Christmas, and all through the hills / The reindeer were playing, enjoying their spills."
The first lines are, "'Twas the day before Christmas, and all through the hills / The reindeer were playing, enjoying their spills." Next comes "Of skating and coasting, and climbing the willows… / And hop-scotch and leap-frog (protected by pillows)."
"Way, way up north on a cold, foggy night / Old Santa was packing his sleigh for its flight."
"'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house / Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."
"Where most reindeer's noses are brownish and tiny, / Poor Rudolph's was red, very large, and quite shiny."
In the Rankin/Bass version of "Rudolph," who is the beautiful doe who thinks Rudolph is cute?
Trixie.
Olive.
Clarice.
Clarice tells Rudolph she thinks he's cute, and he's so happy that he soars higher than any of the other yearling bucks. Santa even notices Rudolph's talent for flight.
Chloe.
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On the Island of Misfit Toys, why is the cowboy a misfit?
He rides a fish.
He rides an ostrich.
The cowboy rides an ostrich, rather than a traditional horse. There's also a boat that doesn't float and a set of clown nesting dolls with a wind-up mouse as the smallest doll.
He has no hat or spurs.
He rides his horse backwards.
Which singer first made the "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" song famous?
Gene Autry.
Gene Autry made the "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" song famous, selling more than 25 million copies of the single. Autry was known as the "Singing Cowboy."
Tex Ritter.
Burl Ives.
Roy Rogers.
Who rules on the Island of Misfit Toys?
Santa Claus.
Jack Frost.
King Moonracer.
King Moonracer rules the Island of Misfit Toys. He is a winged lion with a deep voice.
Charlie-in-the-Box.
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In the Rankin/Bass version of "Rudolph," who is the young buck who befriends Rudolph, then accidentally knocks the cover from Rudolph's nose?
Dasher.
Fireball.
Fireball befriends Rudolph, and even encourages romance between Rudolph and Clarice. He is terrified, however, when they spar and Rudolph's nose cover gets knocked off.
Hermey.
Oliver.
In what ways does Hermey the elf look different from the other toy-making elves?
His suit is white.
He has hair and his ears aren't pointy.
Hermey is the only elf with hair, which is blond and swooping. Also, Hermey is the only elf whose ears are round rather than pointy.
He has no elf hat and he wears sneakers.
He is much taller.
On the Island of Misfit Toys, why is the water pistol a misfit?
It leaks.
It shoots salt water.
It won't shoot.
It shoots jelly.
The water pistol only shoots jelly. There's also a plane that can't fly and a train with square wheels on its caboose.
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What famous performer had to turn over the publishing rights to his song, "Run Rudolph Run," to the writer of the original "Rudolph" song?
Brian Wilson.
Burl Ives.
Chuck Berry.
Because Chuck Berry mentioned Rudolph by name in his song without permission and Rudolph is a copyrighted character, he had to turn over the publishing rights to the writer of the original "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" song, Johnny Marks.
Bing Crosby.
What is the name of the snowman who narrates the Rankin/Bass Christmas special, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
Sam the Snowman.
Sam the Snowman narrates the famous Christmas special. Folk singer Burl Ives was the voice of Sam the Snowman.
Mr. Carrot Nose.
Bumble.
Mr. Ives.
At the beginning of the Rankin/Bass "Rudolph" Christmas special, what is the headline in the "San Francisco Chronicle"?
"We're Frozen."
"Foul Weather May Postpone Christmas."
Several headlines are shown at the beginning of "Rudolph." The "New York Herald Tribune" says, "Cold Wave in 12th Day"; the "Chicago Sun-Times" says, "We're Frozen"; the "Daily Mail" says, "Ice Peril Warning"; the "Daily News" says, "Tough Going!"; and the "San Francisco Chronicle" says, "Foul Weather May Postpone Christmas."
"Cold Wave in 12th Day."
"Ice Peril Warning."
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On the Island of Misfit Toys, who is the Official Sentry?
Two Tin Soldiers.
Charlie-in-the-Box.
The Official Sentry of the Island of Misfit Toys is Charlie-in-the-Box. He's a misfit because he's a Jack-in-the-Box named Charlie.
Dolly for Sue.
Cowboy.
In the Rankin/Bass "Rudolph" Christmas special, what lyrics come after "Have a holly jolly Christmas / It's the best time of the year"?
"Oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas this year."
"Say hello to friends you know / And everyone you meet."
"I don't know if there'll be snow / But have a cup of cheer."
The lyrics are, "I don't know if there'll be snow / But have a cup of cheer." Burl Ives sang the "A Holly Jolly Christmas" for the Christmas special, then released it as a single in 1965.
"Have a holly jolly Christmas / And in case you didn't hear."
In the original "Rudolph" story by Robert L. May, how does Rudolph use his shiny nose to help Santa?
He helps Santa read his list of good boys and girls.
He helps Santa find his way in houses where people forgot to leave a light on for him.
In May's original "Rudolph" story, Santa trips on a rug while delivering toys to Rudolph's house. Santa then recruits Rudolph to help him find his way around in other people's homes.
He guides Santa and the other flying reindeer through thick fog.
He sends a warning signal to help planes avoid Santa and his sleigh.
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On the Island of Misfit Toys, why is Dolly for Sue a misfit?
She has low self-esteem and feels unlovable.
Dolly for Sue seems "normal" in appearance, but she has low self-esteem and psychological problems, according to Arthur Rankin of Rankin/Bass, creators of the "Rudolph" television special.
Her dress is on backwards.
She has three pigtails.
One of her shoes is missing.
In the Rankin/Bass "Rudolph" show, what does Clarice say after Rudolph complains about his nose being different from everybody else's?
"You promised to walk me home."
"I think you're cute."
"You talk kind of funny."
"But that's what makes it so grand."
Clarice says, "But that's what makes it so grand." She continues, "Why, any doe would consider herself lucky to be with you."
How was Johnny Marks, songwriter of "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer," related to Robert L. May, creator of the Rudolph story?
They were father and son.
They were cousins.
They were brothers-in-law.
Marks and May were brothers-in-law. Marks was married to May's sister, Margaret May Marks. Marks wrote the iconic Rudolph song at the request of May.
They were grandfather and grandson.
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In the Rankin/Bass version of "Rudolph," what does Hermey the elf wish he could be, rather than a toymaker?
A dentist.
Hermey wants to be a dentist. Yes, his name is Hermey, even though sometimes he is mistakenly identified as Herbie.
A lawyer.
A doctor.
A singer.
What is the title of the 1995 song by Joe Diffie that tells the story of Rudolph's cousin?
"Billy the Bright-Eyed Reindeer."
"I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas."
"Leroy the Redneck Reindeer."
"Leroy the Redneck Reindeer" tells the story of Rudolph's country cousin, Leroy, who helps out one Christmas Eve when Rudolph is sick. Leroy drives a pickup truck and wears overalls.
"Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer."
In the Rankin/Bass version of "Rudolph," what kind of dogs pull Yukon Cornelius' sled?
A Poodle, a Cocker Spaniel, a Saint Bernard, a Dachshund, and a Collie.
The dogs that pull Yukon Cornelius' sled are a Poodle, a Cocker Spaniel, a Saint Bernard, a Dachshund, and a Collie. When the dogs fail to stop when he says "whoa," he commands them to "unmush."
Siberian Huskies.
A Siberian Husky, a collie, and an Alaskan Malamute.
Alaskan Malamutes.
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What song about Santa Claus mentions Rudolph in this lyric: "And haulin' through the snow at a frightenin' speed / With a half a dozen deer with Rudy to lead"?
"Little Saint Nick."
The song is "Little Saint Nick," by the Beach Boys. To avoid having to pay royalties, they referred to Rudolph by the nickname Rudy. The song appeared on "The Beach Boys' Christmas Album," which featured both traditional Christmas songs and original songs.
"Here Comes Santa Claus."
"Run Rudolph Run."
"Suzy Snowflake."
On the Island of Misfit Toys, what color are the elephant's spots?
Red.
The spotted elephant is white with red spots and rosy cheeks.
Gray.
Gold.
Green.
Who was the chief animator for the Rankin/Bass "Rudolph" project?
Arthur Rankin.
Tadahito "Tad" Mochinaga.
Tadahito "Tad" Mochinaga was the chief animator for Rankin/Bass' "Rudolph." He and his assistant spent two studying the movement of wild deer before creating and animating Rudolph and friends.
Romeo Muller.
Jules Bass.
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In the Rankin/Bass "Rudolph" special, what is Mrs. Claus' pet name for her husband?
Nick.
Santa.
Chris.
Papa.
Mrs. Claus calls her husband "Papa," as is the custom in some marriages. Santa calls her "Mama" in response.
How did producers of the Rankin/Bass "Rudolph" change their show, following its first air date?
They deleted some too-scary scenes with the Abominable Snowman.
They added a scene at the end, in which Santa and Rudolph rescue the toys from the Island of Misfit Toys.
After the first airing of "Rudolph," producers received many complaints that the misfit toys had been forgotten. They added a scene at the end, in which Santa and Rudolph rescue the toys from the Island of Misfit Toys and deliver them to loving homes.
They cut out some narration by Sam the Snowman.
They added the scene in which the Abominable Snowman places a star on top of the tall Christmas tree.
In the 1823 poem, "A Visit from Saint Nicholas," what were the original names of the reindeer we now know as Donner and Blitzen?
Donder and Blitzer.
Dunder and Mifflin.
Dunder and Blitzer.
Dunder and Blixem.
In the original poem, by Anonymous, printed in the "Troy Sentinel," the last two reindeer were Dunder and Blixem. The phrase "Dunder and Blixem" means "thunder and lightning" in Dutch. Scholars debate whether the original poem was written by Clement C. Moore or Henry Livingston.
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In the Rankin/Bass version of "Rudolph," who are Rudolph's parents?
Donner and Mrs. Donner.
Rudolph's parents are Donner and Mrs. Donner. Donner is the one who decides that Rudolph's red nose should be hidden.
Dasher and Dancer.
Comet and Mrs. Comet.
Dasher and Prancer.
While creating his famous story, what names did Robert L. May consider before choosing the name Rudolph for his red-nosed reindeer?
Rollo, Rodney, Reggy, or Reginald, among others.
There is an existing list of potential red-nosed reindeer names, handwritten by Robert L. May, all of which start with R. They include Rollo, Rodney, Reggy, Reginald, Roddy, Roderick, Rudy, Roland, Romeo, and - of course - Rudolph. Rudolph is circled.
Nelson, Norton, Rollo, or Reggy, among others.
Noel, Nicky, Rodney, or Reginald, among others.
Nelson, Norton, Noel, or Nicky, among others.
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