Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (song) names of the eight reindeer which went: "You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen,<br> But do you recall The most famous reindeer of all?" The song was first sung by crooner Harry Brannon on New York City radio in early November 1949, before Gene Autry's recording hit No. 1 in the U.S. charts during Christmas 1949. The song was suggested as a "B" side for a record Autry was making. Autry rejected the song. His wife convinced him to use it. The success of this Christmas song by Autry gave support
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1948 film) Red-Nosed Reindeer" and the animated 1964 version. It was based on Robert L. May's 1939 story, rather than the song. The 1964 film more closely resembles the song rather than the original story. This short film was created to advertise Montgomery Ward department stores, the publisher of the original story. The original release included a credit for the company, and it lacked the "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" song, with the opening credits instead playing over an instrumental version of Silent Night, Holy Night. The 1951 re-release of the film added a choral version of the song to the credits