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Summary: The most famous Reindeer of all!
Review: After reading Rick's first book "The Enchanted World Of Rankin/Bass", which is a wonderful Tribute to Rankin/Bass, I was equally excited to read his second book, "The Making of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer".This is a MUST HAVE for Rudolph Fans or Rankin/Bass fans. I appreciate and understand much more about what went into making this classic Christmas special.The perfect blend of talent it took to become a classic, one which my children enjoy now,as much as I did growing up watching Rudolph. Great illustration, with lots of behind the scene photos.Romeo Muller's Script was a Bonus! You won't want to put this book down!
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Summary: Animagic Alive and Well
Review: Finally someone has taken on this Holiday Classic by the Horns, and the result is a flawless behind the scenes guide to what has become America's favorite Holiday Story.
The Book, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, is filled with more Rankin/Bass Tidbits, facts, photos, Secrets, & behind the scenes stories than anyone could hope for.
Rudolph, is Mr. Goldschmidt's second book about the RANKIN / BASS STUDIOS. His first, The Enchanted world of Rankin Bass, is the most comprehensive guide to All of Rankin Bass's Holiday Classics. It too, is fill with Great Detail & Art from Many of the Studio's Original Artists such as Paul Coker, Jack Davis & Don Duga.
I would highly recommend both of these books to people of all ages. They not only bring back great memories, they will bring a smile to your face. They are what ANIMAGIC is all about.
Rating:
Summary: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Review: For all of us, there are symbols of Christmas that were permanently etched in our minds in childhood. Few of those etchings come close to the magic that was created by Rankin/Bass holiday classic, 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'. No child can resist viewing it when it is televised, because it renders a timeless story about what it means to be human - exploring some of our failings and triumphs, as seen through the eyes of a child. This message is carefully delivered to us through the interaction of irresistible animated puppets.I consider myself a fan of the TV special, having seen it when it first aired in 1964 (I was eleven years old)... and virtually every time since, that it has been aired. After reading Rick Goldschmidt's latest book (The Making of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer), I have a much deeper appreciation of what was involved in its production. Rick, once again, conducts exhaustive research on this Rankin/Bass classic... and then does an eloquent job placing the critical ingredients of the Rudolph TV Special on the pages of his latest book for us to ponder. We learn that the TV Special was successful because contributions to its success were made by a number of key people - all gifted in their own areas. Noteworthy, was the fact that a significant amount of animation frontiering that was done during its production. We also learn that the TV Special was comercially feasible through the involvement of one of the premier technology companies of the day - General Electric. Rick's book pays homage to these creative individuals (and their work), while enabling us to appreciate them as well. The book includes not only a tidy assortment of 'one of a kind' behind the scenes pictures, but the 'original' screenplay. It is fascinating reading, and will be on display on my coffee table throughout the holidays, and beyond. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: The most famous Reindeer of all!
Review: I'm so excited about this book! The awesome photographs of the actual making of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer are fascinating. The stories that lead up to the production are very well told and essential. I especially appreciate the original script being included in the book. A million thanks to the author and Rankin/Bass! Happy Christmas...
Rating:
Summary: I Can't Get Enough!
Review: I'm so excited about this book! The awesome photographs of the actual making of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer are fascinating. The stories that lead up to the production are very well told and essential. I especially appreciate the original script being included in the book. A million thanks to the author and Rankin/Bass! Happy Christmas...
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Summary: Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of RANKIN/BASS' RUDOLPH!
Review: It is the 40th ANNIVERSARY of this classic RANKIN/BASS TV Special and I loaded up this book with everything available from the RANKIN/BASS staff and archives! You think CBS or CLASSIC MEDIA would celebrate the special with some of the RARE stuff we have (GE COMMERCIALS, ANIMAGIC figures, etc) by airing a "MAKING OF" special or adding RARE stuff to the DVD.....BUT haven't heard anything from them and neither has ARTHUR or JULES. Oh well! At least I put all that I could into the book for CHRISTMAS, 2004! Even though RUDOLPH is a MISFIT, we still care!
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Summary: AWESOME book!
Review: Loved every page of this book, especially the info on ANIMAGIC! BRAVO!
Rating: 
Summary: A fair book, but seems to fall short
Review: Overall the author did a good job with this book, but yet something seems to be missing. While the writing talents of the author didn't exactly thrill me, he did a noble job of collecting information, considering that it appears that Rankin-Bass and Animagic (over in Japan) kept almost no records. So through a series of interviews he does what he can to piece together the telling of the creation of the holiday special. It did reveal a few insights I was not aware of and that part was enjoyable. Reading Romeo Muller's first draft was interesting too, and it convinced me that the magic of Rudolph was the voice casting. If I was a producer reading the Rudolph script, there is nothing in there that seems special. But when you listen to the voices that were cast, they brought this simple script to life! And obviously the beautiful Rudolph visuals are great too. But as far as the book goes, I think the author should have played detective and searched out and answered key questions. Mainly, "Where's the original Rudolph today?" He does mention that many of the character disintegrated over the years, but this should have gone into details. Did he follow or track down where Rudolph, Hermie, Yukon and the gang ended up? No. And that is a big sore spot that is missing in the book. The ending of the book is very disappointing too. It would have been wonderful if he had ended it with interviews (be they old or new interviews) with the voice cast members of the special and an extensive detective style search for the original characters and where they are and what really happened to them. The book never even gives us that deep exploration of this information that us die-hard fans would have loved. Overall, it's a fair book with some rare photos that a die-hard Rudolph fan will enjoy. But the book will leave you asking the question; "Where are and what happened to the original characters?"
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Summary: RUDOLPH RATES 5 STARS!
Review: This insightful, intensely well-research book is the definitive look at the inner-workings of a classic animated TV special. Whether you're a fan of the show, a fan of vintage stop-motion animation, a die-hard baby-boomer, or just plain old in a yuletide mood, this book delivers the goods! Don't miss out!
Rating:
Summary: Well researched book!
Review: Was shocked to see a recent review here criticizing the author on the research of this book. Where is his RUDOLPH book? How does he know the author didn't try to find the original ANIMAGIC figures from the show which simply are not available anymore? For godsake...ARTHUR RANKIN did the FOREWORD to the book! Is he saying ARTHUR should know where the figures are? This is THE definitive RUDOLPH book written about the classic version. I suggest the fair reviewer here do his own investigative work since he is so diehard.
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