Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer 78 Records

[Edisonfan]

I picked this up a few months back, and have been meaning to post a thread on it. This is the audio version of the story, that was recorded for Montgomery Ward. I have not been able to find any inforamtion on this record. I always find it on the 1960's Rankin Bass Christmas Special.

[OrthoSean]

Paul,

I'm just curious, but what makes you think this was just a Monkey Ward's product? Does it say that anywhere on the sleeve / records? RCA Victor wasn't just store-specific, pretty much the opposite, actually (although in the 1930s and early 1940s Ward's did have their own label that drew from Victor masters). Paul Wing was rather prolific as far as recordings go, mostly things like this. We used to have a member on the old board that was a real expert in children's records, perhaps he's still around and can shed some more light on this.

Sean

[Henry]

I remember the name Paul Wing on records I had as a kid, but I don't recall exactly what they were! But I do recall the recording of "Rudolph" with vocals by Gene Autry (which was the original hit version IIRC), and I was also a faithful listener to his radio program.

P.S. (Later) Now I think I remember Paul Wing narrating "The Little Engine That Could." My memory hasn't traveled these pathways in quite some time, so the synapses are a bit corroded!

[Edisonfan]

It says Copyright Montgomery Ward 1939, Assigned Robert L. May 1947. In fine print. It was probbaly sold in the store, the same way the Book was? It was the audo version of the book, that was sold through Montgomery Ward. The Record is RCA. Sean:

Henry: Yea, I have heard the Gene Autry tune. This is actually the story in audio form. It was sold in conjuntion, with the book.


Paul

[Viva-Tonal]

It pre-dates the famous song. There's plenty of incidental background music but not the famous Johnny Marks song anyplace.

[Viva-Tonal]

Looks like we might be posting various 78 versions of 'Rudolph' here? I have the Autry disc (Columbia 38610) and one by Eddy Howard on Mercury.

Both of these records were on 78 under at least two catalogue numbers each, one a regular pop issue, the other in a children's series complete with special labels and picture sleeves. (78discography.com shows EH's 'Rudolph' on Mercury 5360 with 'My last goodbye' on the flip; my copy has a different catalogue number and 'Blue tail fly' on the flip, which was originally released on Mercury 5211. Unfortunately I don't have a pic sleeve for my EH Mercury disc.)

[OrthoSean]

Yea, the Autry disc is everywhere. I can't tell you how many of that I've had over the years. I'm sure more of them linger in my unsorted crates in the basement too. I did keep a nice copy with the picture sleeve though.

Paul, I strongly doubt that set was only sold by Montgomery Ward, but I could be wrong. A custom pressing for a store like that having the RCA Victor banner and "Youth Series" across the top of the sleeve is pretty unheard of. If the labels ans sleve said MW on them in larger print and "pressed by RCA Victor for Montgomery Ward, Inc." or something like that in small print, then I'd be more likely to beileve that. What I'm thinking here is more that MW held the copyrights to the story, not the recording of it on RCA Victor, which would make more sense in this case.

Interesting, nonetheless.

Sean

[Edisonfan]

Yes, you are correct. That would make more sense Sean. RCA held the copyright on the recording.

[Viva-Tonal]

It's not a custom item made for Montgomery Ward. Just a regular two record set in RCA Victor's children's record series of the time, pressed on a kind of filled vinyl compound instead of the regular shellac. (I have a copy of it too.)

[Edisonfan]

Oh cool, I'm glad to know someone else has a copy. Thank you for the info, viva-Tonal.