This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

Besides the most famous reindeer of all, Rudolph, can you name Santa’s eight remaining reindeer?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

One of the most popular songs at Christmas is “Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer.”  People know bits and pieces about the history behind the song; but, here is the rest the story.

In the late 1930s, American retailer Montgomery Ward was looking to create a nationwide marketing campaign for the month of December.  They looked for help from their talented copywriter, Robert L. May.  

As May crafted poetry to share the story of his newly invented character, Rudolph, he enlisted the help of Denver Gillen.  Gillen worked in Montgomery Ward’s art department, and his illustrations would be featured in the short publication.

While Gillen envisoned Rudolph as a young deer with his big, red nose, May crafted rhyming couplets (a sample follows).

Twas the day before Christmas, and all through the hills

The reindeer were playing, enjoying the spills

Of skating and coasting, and climbing the willows

And hopscotch and leapfrog (protected by pillows)

Over 800 Montgomery Ward stores opted in to participate in the December promotion.  Nearly two and a half million copies were ordered (at at cost of 1.5 cents apiece).  The copies were given freely to children who visited each participating store.

Following World War II in 1949, Montgomery Ward decided to bring back their highly successful Christmas promotion, which again featured “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”  Over three and a half million copies were printed.

Eventually Montgomery Ward granted May the copyright privileges to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”  He shared his poetry story with his brother-in-law, Johnny Marks.  Marks just happened to be a songwriter.  With May’s approval, he adapted the story to lyrics of a Christmas song of the same name.

Actor and singing cowboy, Gene Autry, was signed to record the song, and it became a top hit in 1946.  The lyrics featured an updated story about this famous reindeer.  Later in 1964, television’s classic animated feature, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” was produced by Rankin/Bass.  

Moving from top left and clockwise:  cover of one version of Robert L. May’s book, Robert L. May, Gene Autry, scene from television’s 1964 feature, gene autry’s album cover.  (Images courtesy of Pinterest)

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen