I don't know if I ever saw it that way.

I've always loved this special, but when I saw it as a kid, I didn't put too much thought into the fact that most of the adult characters were cranky and selfish and thoughtless because I pretty much thought most adults were like that anyway, the rare exception being somebody like Yukon Cornelius, and I hate to say it, but these days I kind of feel as though I was right. I know it's probably not the message they wanted to put across, but I remember as a kid watching this and getting the idea reinforced to me that when the chips are down, there are only going to be just a very few select people you'll be able to count on to stand by you, if you're lucky.

Well it is the way things work sometimes. Ain't it?

Exactly. That's like a bully picking on the brainy kid until he finds out that she can help him with his homework. This special is just full of wonderful lessons for children!
The more people I meet, the more I get why Jane Goodall spends all of her time with chimps..

What is it with our society nowadays? With a bunch of people disliking this special (not the majority most likely) do you think we're becoming overprotective wimps?

Like most people are to other people in today's society.
"Mama, I'm in
with a criminal."

Santa is the worst in this show! He is such a dickhead to poor Rudolph until he needed Rudolph.

This message has been deleted.

So, keep my opinions to myself? I wasn't aware this was North Korea
The more people I meet, the more I get why Jane Goodall spends all of her time with chimps..

I don't see it that way at all. I'm afraid it's just because times have unfortunately changed for the worst. And no, not all the characters were jerks. To me anyways. You can think that way if you want, but keep it to yourself.

Really? Just Santa? There were so many jerks in this movie that I'm surprised they didn't just call it "The Un-Merry Douchebag Christmas Special".
The more people I meet, the more I get why Jane Goodall spends all of her time with chimps..

This message has been deleted.

"Obviously a father would want the family to stay safe and not for them to be in danger either, but that was a really weird line. "
Well it WAS made in the 60s. Although sadly, some still feel that way, it just wouldn't be in a Christmas special.

I completely agree with that statement. I thought Santa was acting mean first, but now I've changed my mind. I'm guessing Santa thought that the whole thing with Rudolph's nose was something babies might have when they're younger that might go away when they're older. Also, notice how when Santa says that "you should be ashamed of yourself line", he's talking to and is mad at
DONNER
, not Rudolph. That "Donner felt pretty bad" line would make no sense if it was taken in the way it seems some people are taking it, if Santa said Donner should be ashamed for having Rudolph that way, which I don't agree with. Also, if Santa were really a jerk, would he actually explain and sing to Rudolph what reindeer are like and actually sound happy to see him when he comes home? Also, when he says "What a pity" about Rudolph, he looks like he feels sorry for him.
Sorry if this reply's kinda long, but I'm getting very freaking sick of seeing people say something like this.
Does anyone agree with me?

It was because Rudolph looked different with the red nose and wasn't accepted into what was "normal" society up there. Same thing with Hermie and the Head Elf not liking him.

Why does he think Rudolf can't lift the sleigh just because of his nose? That doesn't make any sense to me.

I never really saw Santa as being mean/rude to Rudolph for his nose. When he meets Rudolph and Donner says the nose will probably go away, Santa casually says "it'd better if he's going to lift the sleigh someday." But aside from that and the "Donner, you should be ashamed of yourself!" line (regarding the fact Donner tried o hide the shiney red nose) he doesn't seem to dislike Rudolph.

haha.. just watching this when it was on the other week i was thinking "why the heck did i ever like this movie?" all the characters besides rudolph, hermey, clarice, and yukon cornelius are jerks.
the Head Elf was as big a jerk to Hermey as Santa/other reindeer were to Rudolph. Then when Rudolph was missing Clarice and Rudolph's mother told Donner that they were going to search for him and his respond was "Stay here, this is man's work." Obviously a father would want the family to stay safe and not for them to be in danger either, but that was a really weird line.
And then its not only Rudolph and Hermey that are rejected there's a whole island of misfits that nobody likes lol.
This whole movie is basically saying that if you are different you'll be cast out of society. And the only way you'll be accepted is if you prove to be useful somehow (Rudolph's nose, Hermey getting rid of the Bumble, misfit toys making kids happy).
The Truth is Out There.

What more can one expect from Coca Cola's corporate mascot?

I would say however, that even if Santa is crabby at parts during the movie, he still is the jolly fat man in the red suit that we all know at Christmas.

I completely agree with most of this, but I think the reason that Santa was telling Donner he should be ashamed of himself was because of the covering the nose thing. Notice that when Santa said that, he wasn't angry at Rudolph, but at Donner. All he said about Rudolph was that he felt pity for him, and he had a nice takeoff, and he looked a bit sad. If it was the ashamed way as most people I believe misinterpret, then that part with Donner feeling how bad he treated Rudolph would make no sense. I think the reason he's thin is because he's busy in an unhealthy way
.
I do agree that he was sad about cancelling the trip also.

I agree; I now see King Moonracer as like a father sort of figure who adopts these toys. I think the kids who get these misfit toys will probably love them.
But I say geez, what is it with people of this generation acting like this and disliking the special saying "oh, everyone's a jerk!"? Are we becoming a bunch of overprotective crybabies?

Also, that tag sequence wasn't part of the original show. I believe it was added to the second airing in reponse to Rankin and Bass getting flooded with letters asking for the Misfit Toys to be rescued.

"so how does he miss an ISLAND every single year?"
Because no children live there.
"Not only that, if he 'makes the toys', did he make the misfit toys too? How did the train get square wheels? Who paired up a cowboy with an ostrich? I'm thinking backstory."
Factory rejects. There could be many interesting backstories surrounding those toys. You could be right, there might have been some disgruntled elf or a very inexperienced one who made those toys.