Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - ep93

We break all the rules with this holiday episode of Old Millennials Remember Movies. The beloved television special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” isn’t a movie, and it didn’t come out in the 80s or 90s. Nevertheless, the Rankin/Bass stop-motion animated special was a formative experience for children of many generations. It still gets played every year, and one Old Millennials host can’t go a Christmas season without it. The other host is, well, let’s just say less enthusiastic.

Lots of weird characters to discuss in “Rudolph,” including that flying lion who rules over his own island of misfit toys. What’s that about? Quick aside – what’s the best misfit toy on the island? Answer: Cowboy riding an ostrich.

A tale of tolerance back in 1964, many lessons can be taken from “Rudolph,” though the Old Millennials reach different conclusions about how Rudolph comes to pull Santa’s sleigh on that foggy Christmas Eve.

Among the heavy topics on this deep-dive analysis – Why is Santa Claus such a jerk? Seriously, the guy sucks. Do the marginalized female characters actually serve a vital role in Rudolph’s journey? Is Rudolph right to return to Christmas town to help all the people who were shitty to him? Is this special preaching tolerance or acceptance, and does that message still resonate in the dumpster fire of 2020? Does the Burl Ives snowman just hang around all day looking for someone willing to talk to him?

Yes, the Old Millennial hosts take this kiddie cartoon discussion to some interesting and surprising places. Angela is fired up for some reason, and Tyler just wants to be loved. Both want to make a $200 million live-action Yukon Cornelius epic. Probably starring Samuel L. Jackson.

Also discussed on this very merry episode of Old Millennials Remember Movies:

Happiest Season (2020)
The Christmas Chronicles 2 (2020)
Princess Switch 2: Switched Again (2020)
Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square (2020)
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)
Lego Star Wars Holiday Special (2020)

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