Rollo the Red-Nosed Reindeer
You know Dasher and Dancer
And Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid
And Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all?
The most famous reindeer of all didn’t even exist until 1939 and more shocking is that when he first arrived on the scene, his name wasn’t Rudolph.
In the 1930’s Montgomery Ward stores had Santa give away coloring books to the children who visited Santa. Executives decided it would save money if they created a Christmas storybook and publish it for the handouts instead.
Robert L. May worked as a copywriter for Montgomery Ward. He was given the task of creating the storybook and he wrote a charming story about a shy, oddball reindeer who didn’t fit in with the rest of the crew. Rollo’s bright red nose made them laugh at him and tease him.
Montgomery Ward executives liked the story, hated the name. They insisted that May find another name for the reindeer; Rollo was too carefree. They weren’t crazy about the second suggestion, Reginald, either.
Finally Robert May came up with a name that pleased the company – Rudolph. In a brilliant move, May asked for the copyright to the story.
Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer was immortalized in a song recorded by Gene Autry in 1949 and has been the star of his own Christmas special.
Robert May continued to work for Montgomery Ward and retired nicely on the royalties earned from Rollo, ahem, I mean Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer.
Thanks for the interesting information which was of great interest to me! I am a member of the small Rollo Family Clan of Scotland & will pass this information along to the historian in Glasgow, Scotland. The Rollo Peerage is goes back to the 1600’s & there is currently still a Lord Rollo.
One of the well known members of the clan, now deceased, was the author, Rollo May. I just wondered if by chance
Robert L. May could be related to him & got the idea from his family for the name of Rollo for his story?
Anyhow, thanks a bunch!
JRC
By Joan Rollo Cardon on December 2nd, 2006 at 7:21 pm
I didn’t know there was a Rollo Family Clan of Scotland and so thank you for your informative comment. It doesn’t seem beyond the realm of possibility that Robert May could have been related – who knows? Now that I know about Rudolph starting out as Rollo, I find I like Rollo the Red-nosed Reindeer better and I wish they hadn’t made him change it (although if he hadn’t, there wouldn’t be a post in it).
Happy Holidays!
By Andrea on December 2nd, 2006 at 8:22 pm
I am secretary of the Rollo Clan Association. Please contact me if you want more information.
A short newsletter is due to be produced before Christmas and I will try to include the story of Rollo the Red-nosed Reindeer. Thanks for the information.
LizR
By Liz Rollo on December 5th, 2006 at 9:57 pm