Robert L. May adaptation of Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore, it was recorded by the singing cowboy Gene Autry. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of "White Christmas". In 1941, May married another Ward employee, Virginia, and had five children with her. She was a devout Catholic, and he converted to Catholicism during the marriage. May wrote two sequels to "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". The first is mostly in prose (except that Rudolph
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie of the wicked Ice Queen, Stormella, accidentally destroying several of her ice statues. When Stormella finds out, she demands Santa to hand Boone and Doggle over to her to face consequences. When he refuses, she closes her bridge as punishment, and warns that if anyone dares to cross it, she will create a blizzard so strong it will stop Santa from delivering presents to children around the world on Christmas Eve. Rudolph later starts attending school, where he is ridiculed for wanting to be among Santa's reindeer, the Flyers, despite his nose. The only one who doesn't tease him is