I would just like to say this is quite a site, and I thank you for taking the time to produce something like this. My late father Bernard Cowan as many of you will know had a major working relationship with Rankin/Bass over the years, and to see pictures of him here is amazing not only for me but my children. Rudolf will always be a very important part of my life. To be the son of the Snow Monster as well as other characters, was something I have always been extremely proud to be. Thanxs again Elliott Cowan

Just thought I'd let the other fans know that Playing Mantis,(the toy company that made the Rudolph figural keychains at CVS this past Christmas...) is doing more stuff this year. They have a line of action figures that includes Rudolph, Santa, Herbie, Yukon, Clarice, and Sam. They are also doing a series of small snowglobes. You can see pics from this month's Toy Fair 2000 in New York at http://www.toymania.com/toyfair2000/playingmantis/memlane/memlane.shtml The official playing mantis website (www.playingmantis.com) is also selling limited editions of the prototypes of the figural keychains they offered. There's even some that didn't get released like King Moonracer and Spotted Elephant. Pricey, but check it out. If anyone spots any other upcoming Rudolph 2000 merchandise on the web, send me the link!

I have this vague fragment of a memory from R-B's Saturday morning show "Smokey the Bear", c.1971, an episode I think was called "Freddie's Date". The one-shot guest character of this episode (dealing with the character Freddy winning a date with a movie star) was an extemely-beautiful skunkette -- I keep remembering this image best described as "Audrey Hepburn 'morphed into a skunk." Am I remembering right, or is this one of those weird false-memory trips? This image was responsible for kindling an interest in anthropomorphic 'toons that continues to this day.

Hi everyone! Guess what! CVS will be selling Action Figures based on the Characters of Rudolph the REd Nosed Reindeer! I have posted Pictures of the up at the Rankin Bass Club at Yahoo.com. There will also be a larger Abominable Snowmonster Action Figure that ROARS!!!! I have pictures of them ALL, along with some other CVS yet to be released goodies, at the fan club. Pop on over there and check them out. See you there!!!!

Rick, I've been trying to get a hold of you all week but you're email seems to be down. I have tons of questions to ask ya'! Email me when you're mail box is up and running.

Hi Mark and Rick! I loved your web site! While I love the humor of Loony Tunes and the art of Disney it's great to see other animation have its day. I was wondering if you know of any links that might have guitar tablature for the songs from Rudolf and the other films. Thanks for your help! Ken

Greetings fellow Rankin Bass Fans!!! I would just like to let all of you other WONDERFUL Rankin/Bass Fans know that there is now a Rankin/Bass Fan Club at Yahoo!!! We would like to attract some members, so I took it upon myself to "advertise" here, the meeting place of ALL Rankin/Bass Fans. There are TONS of Pictures there, whith more being added every few days. We would love for ALL of you to join! Just go here: http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/officialrankinbassfanclub Hope to see you there!!!!!

Hi! Well, once again AMERICAN MOVIE CLASSICS aired their wonderfully re-stored 35 mm print of MAD MONSTER PARTY? This time hosted by effects expert Stan Winston (w/ dialogue from my book/articles). It is amazing to see the film in supurb DVD quality! AMC added another extra special treat (before the film BLACK SUNDAY yesterday)...the original MMP Theatrical Trailer (letter-boxed/Color)! It was amazing! Why it was not shown before the film....we will never know BUT it's great to know it exists! Hopefully that will be part of the DVD release. EASTER is coming and we will be offering something extra special on our site very soon. I am told that GOLDEN BOOKS based on HERE COMES PETER COTTONTAIL (as seen on the FOX FAMILY CHANNEL) are popping up at stores now and a few dolls are around (one spotted at TARGET by William McCullars)! We are trying to get up the many photos and memorabillia we have scanned...Keep watching for NEW photos and articles! THANKS for visiting the site! Rick and Mark

We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Charles M. Schulz this weekend. What a wonderfully talented and kind human being he was. I contacted him in 1996 regarding the RANKIN/BASS book. I thought it would be nice to get a testimonial from him for the book's cover. He graciously responded with a letter explaining that he would like to limit his comments to his own work and presented me with a special autograph. As an artist, I have always admired his work and his stamina. Fifty years of a quality comic strip and empire is unheard of. Like "HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS" and "MR. MAGOO'S CHRISTMAS CAROL," His 1965 television special "A CHARLIE BROWN'S CHRISTMAS' is one of only a handful of specials that are in the same league as the classic RANKIN/BASS Specials. His personal touch to the daily and Sunday papers will be sorely missed BUT he will live on forever with the incredible amount of work he has amassed over the last Fifty years. Rick

Not sure if this is the proper forum (apologies if not Rick) but I thought it would be a good place to mention this since R/B fans abound! I have a complete (minus the original Rudolph) set of all the R/B VHS releases for sale. Not really sure what I want for them, but if anyone is interested, please contact me at fool@sunflower.com The collection even includes obscure titles like Marco, Daydreamer and Willy McBean! Steven (fool@sunflower.com)

Hi Mark and Rick! Wonderful job on the design of this site! Blows away some of the other animated websites I have been too! Try to get some video and audio clips up soon....that would be the iceing on the cake! Can't wait to see the AMC broadcast of MAD MONSTER PARTY Feb. 18th! THANKS for letting me know. Look forward to the ENESCO figurine line on HERE COMES PETER COTTONTAIL! They did an awesome job on RUDOLPH. Will you be offering any Easter items on your site? Happy St. Valentine's Day to all! THANKS for the GREAT memories and unlimited info! Your Bob McFadden section is awesome! Cindy

Wonderful!!

Oh my goodness!!!!! FINALLY, someone other than myself who LOVES and respects Rudolph and the incredible Animagic of Rankin & Bass. Rudloph was such a beautiful part of my childhood! There are six of us kids, and we loved Rudolph so much that we even played it all year long. We collected plastic deer in honor of Rudolph, and on the night it would come on, right after dinner, we would scramble & wash all of our deer in the bath tub, and line them up on the coffee table to watch with us! What fun! It was quite the event! My brother and I built a tribute area outside for our beloved Rudolph, and fondly names it "Deer Forrest" We strung up christmas lights and built little houses out of Papa's scrap wood (they even had hinged tops for easier access) and we would play in it for hours & hours...We had the old Japanese elves (highly collectable today) that were our version of Hermey's and his house was made out of a real cool old booze box that had red brick print on the sides! What a riot! In the winter, we would bring in the houses that we could, and we would make new ones out of cardboard boxes & again would string christmas lights through out our village! My brother had a train layout that doubled as Rudolph's indoor deer forrest site. We sure loved that deer alot! When we saw that CVS Pharmacies had put out a line of Rudolph merchandise, we about had aheart attack! We also ALWAYS wondered what happened to the puppets, and now, thanks to your web site, sadly, we now know, RIP dearest Animagic little ones...I want to thank you so very much for your WONDERFUL, EXCITING, INFORMATIVE & DELIGHTFUL web site! I cannot tell you what it means to a true Rudolph fan, and to be able to walk down memory lane was worth a million dollars. Thank you, thank you, thank you Mr. Goldschmidt. Keep on doing what you're doing, & I shall return many, many more times. A Rudolph lover since the 60's...Barbara. (Sorry to be so long winded but I am overwhelmed to have found this site!)

Mr. McFadden will most definitely be missed! GREAT job on the Bob McFadden Tribute. Love the NEW pictures you put up....keep them coming!