How fitting that after visiting Masterworks yesterday that Rudolph should play on local TV last night. Looking for that Christmas Spirit ? Then head to Masterworks to see their tribute to 50 year old Rudolph and his creator Arthur Rankin. Through restoration techniques, the puppetry which was so beautifully crafted in Japan has managed to survive the years and is now on display. A few facts: Production time for Rudolph took 18 months. At the time of production (1964) the individual stop-motion puppets used in Rudolph cost about $5,000 each. All the puppets in Rudolph, excluding reindeer and other animals have three fingers and a thumb, to make movement changes easier to manage. Rudolph puppets were only made to stand up to the rigors of original filming and typically, according to Arthur Rankin would last about 16 months tops. Subjects to thousands of tiny movements, handling, and bending, many of the original puppets no longer exist. The puppets on display here are detailed restorations from original remaining puppets produced in Tokyo and are on view through the kind physical and financial efforts of Masaki Lizuka and Todd Rankin. Rudolph Facts: The song Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was written by Johnny Marks and developed form a storybook concept by his brother-in-law Robert L. May in 1939. Mays storybook was offered as free promotional gift by the Chicago-based retailer, Montgomery Ward. A total of 2.4 million copies of the Rudolph booklets were given away in 1939 and over six million were handed out by 1946. Johnny Marks was a neighbour and friend of Arthur Rankin in New York City. Arthur had to convince Johnny Marks that a television film based on the song would make the song even more popular. The first animated version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and 8 minute short film, was produce din 1948 by Max Fleischer. The story is credited to Robert L. May. Make sure you see this exhibit.... Itll make you feel good! Trust us !!
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 11:30:54 +0000