Details about the 1964 TV production
Burl Ives tells the story of a misfit reindeer named Rudolph who's got a shiny nose. I'd even say it glows. Rudolph is the son of Donner, Santa's lead reindeer. Mrs. Claus is trying to fatten up Santa Claus because Christmas is around the corner, and it was that Christmas eve that one elf, Hermey . Anyway, Hermey doesn't like to make toys. The Head Elf is not pleased with this. Hermey wants to be a dentist. The other elves tease Hermey. Later on in April, Rudolph went to the reindeer games where Coach Comet intended to make bucks out of all the reindeer. There, Rudolph meets Clarice. To cover up his shiny nose, Rudolph's dad placed a ridiculous black nose cover over it. The shiny nose was soon revealed and all of the other reindeer wouldn't let him join in any reindeer games. Clarice still likes him though, until her father forbids her to see him.

 It was then that Rudolph meets Hermey. They are both independent, so they decide to be independent together. They become good friends, and dodge the evil Abominable Snowmonster who hates everything to do with Christmas. Later on, they meet Yukon Cornelius. He's looking for silver and gold. They meet with the Abominable and Yukon is an expert on them, so they all climb aboard an ice float because "The Bumble sinks". Yukon, Hermey and Rudolph drifted out to sea and had no idea where they were going. At home, Donner set out to find Rudolph and when Mrs. Donner wanted to go along, Donner said: "No, this is man's work!" But she and Clarice went out on their own. Back out at sea, the friends land on a mysterious island who has a Charlie-in-the-box for a sentry. It's the Island of Misfit Toys! They meet a red spotted elephant, a choo-choo with square wheels, a cowboy that rides an ostrich, and a sinking boat.

 

 Rudolph, Hermey and Yukon meet King Moonracer who runs the island. They agree to help the toys and spend the night, but Rudolph feels he should go out alone so his friends won't get in trouble, but they frown on that decision. So Rudolph heads out on his own. Rudolph soon sprouts long antlers and goes to the aid of his parents and Clarice in the Abominable's cave. Luckily, Burl Ives sends Hermey and Yukon Cornelius to the rescue. They devise a plan and Hermey uses his dental expertise to remove all of the Abominable's teeth. Yukon charges at him, they go over a cliff, and disappear.

So, Rudolph and Hermey get the women back to Christmastown. Santa, Head Elf, and all the others are overjoyed to see them and realize they were hard on the misfits. Hermey finally gets to have a dentist's office. Suddenly, Yukon Cornelius shows up with the Bumble. He's reformed him. The next day was Christmas eve so they all pitched in and loaded the Santa's sleigh. Everyone was celebrating and happy, until Santa got a weather report reporting a huge storm so Christmas may be cancelled, until he realizes the burning beauty of Rudolph's nose. It's a God send! So Santa asked "Rudolph, with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight?" He agrees. So they're ready to go. Santa is all fattened up. Rudolph is head of the team and they fly off to the Island of Misfit Toys and take them along with them.

It's a very Merry Christmas for people and toys.

Burl Ives .... Narrator: Sam the Snowman (voice)
Larry D. Mann .... Yukon Cornelius (voice) (as Larry Mann)
Billie Mae Richards .... Rudolph/Jeering Reindeer (voice) (as Billy Richards)
Paul Soles .... Hermey (voice)
Stan Francis .... Santa Claus/King Moonracer (voice)
Janet Orenstein .... Clarice (voice)
Alfie Scopp .... Head Elf/Other Elves/Jeering Reindeers (voice)
Carl Banas .... Charlie-In-The Box/Spotted Elephant/Other Toys (voice)