Photo: Videocraft International
In the wake ofa viral videothatcalled out all the ways the Christmas classicRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeercould be seen as problematic, an actor involved in the 1964 film is firing back.
Corrine Conley, who voiced a few minor characters, most notably Sue’s doll,told TMZthat the criticisms disregard the moral of the story.
“I would say [the movie] is more relevant now than ever because there is so much bullying going on,” says the 89 year-old, who recently appeared inA Simple Favor. “But, I mean, it’s all reconciled inRudolph, and surely people wouldn’t love it so much — if it left a resonance of bullying, it wouldn’t be so indelible on people’s hearts.”
She then explained how her involvement in the holiday film has defined her own career.
“People read my credits and say, ‘Oh, you were inRudolph!’ and they start to cry,” she gushed. “I don’t think they’re associatingRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeerwith bullying or at least bullying that hasn’t been reconciled.”
She went on to discuss current events.
To conclude, she quipped, “I just can’t imagine it affecting anyone in a negative way. They must be like Scrooge. Tell them to watchScrooge.”
“There are more important things than comfort: self-respect,” Donner tells Rudolph after the reindeer complains about the nose cover-up.
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Among the critiques were how Santa aids in marginalizing the young reindeer, as well as the bullying behind his coach egging on the other reindeer to not let Rudolph play with them.
“People accused Santa of being a bully. Don’t they know the song?” Whoopi Goldberg said before launching into a fantastic dramatic reading of the lyrics.
“Where is the problem?” she demanded afterward to much applause. “He’s a kid that nobody believed in and suddenly they realized he is special, he is who he is for a reason. And he becomes the hero. Where’s the problem?”
It seems like the special isn’t suffering from the recent controversy. A new poll released Wednesday morning found thatRudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeerwas voted the most beloved Christmas movie, with 83 percent of participants finding it favorable.
source: people.com
