Facts

Fact The TV special premiered on NBC December 6th, 1964 and has become the longest running, highest rated television special in history.

Fact The TV special was filmed in Japan.

Fact The songs sung by Sam the Snowman (Burl Ives) were originally recorded by Larry D Mann (Yukon Cornelius).

Fact The original script did not have Santa coming back to pick up the misfit toys. According to Jules Bass, a write-in campaign after the 1964 broadcast prompted the final scene to be added. The "Peppermint Scene" with Yukon Cornelius had to be cut out as a result for time reasons. It has been included once again in the DVD and VHS since its restoration in 2005.

Fact Although Yukon Cornelius says he needs "gunpowder" and he has a revolver tucked in his belt, the politically correct toys released in 1999 have a knife instead of a revolver.

Fact General Electric sponsored the show for the first three broadcasts. There were many GE print ads with the Rudolph characters from 1964-66 and the soundtrack album was a premium when you purchased GE home appliances. During the 1964 broadcast, three commercials for GE featuring the FOREMAN elf, the elf with the glasses and the generic elf with the sunglasses were used. GE sponsored the entire hour, so the commercials were lengthy, musical spots.