{{Infobox character

| color = Blue

| series = [[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV special)|Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer]]

| first = ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV special)|Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer]]'' (1964)

| voice = [[Corinne Conley]] (1964)<br>

[[Kathleen Barr]] (2001)

| species = [[Rag doll]]

| creator = [[Arthur Rankin Jr.]]<br>

[[Romeo Muller]]

| full_name = Dolly for Sue

| occupation = Toy

| family = Sue (former owner)

| home = [[Island of Misfit Toys]] (formerly)

}}

'''Dolly for Sue''', better known as just '''Dolly''', is a [[fictional character]] that appears in the [[1964]] [[stop motion]] [[Christmas]] [[TV Special|TV special]] [[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV special)|''Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer''.]] She was one of the many inhabitants of the [[Island of Misfit Toys]], a sanctuary for unwanted toys. Dolly was voiced by [[Corinne Conley]] and created by [[Arthur Rankin Jr.]] and [[Romeo Muller]].

== Character creation ==

Dolly was created to represent mental illness, depression, and attachment issues, although this information would not be revealed for another four decades. Many fans and viewers alike pondered what could be the reason behind Dolly living among misfits, seeming that she appeared to be just an ordinary doll. The question was finally answered in 2007 during an interview when the special's producer, Arthur Rankin Jr., stated that her problem was, in fact, psychological - a form of depression caused from being rejected and abandoned by her former owner (presumably Sue). It was because of her abandonment that caused her to have low self-esteem. The creators wanted to shed light on real-life problems through the Island of Misfit Toys inhabitants, and didn't want all of their problems to be a physical one.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Dolly in 'Rudolph' Is Actually on the Island of Misfit Toys for a Heartbreaking Reason|url=https://www.distractify.com/p/why-is-the-doll-a-misfit-toy-rudolph|access-date=2021-07-10|website=Distractify|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Am|last2=December 11|first2=a FerrisPublished:|last3=2013|title=10 Things You Didn't Know About 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'|url=https://thefw.com/10-things-about-rudolph/|access-date=2021-07-10|website=TheFW|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=III|first=Joe Hummel|date=2019-12-01|title=What Was Wrong With Rudolph’s Dolly For Sue?|url=https://pcmworldnews.com/news/2019/12/what-was-wrong-with-rudolphs-dolly-for-sue/|access-date=2021-07-10|website=Pop Culture Madness Network News|language=en-US}}</ref>

== History ==

=== ''Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'' (1964 film) ===

Dolly makes her first appearance in the holiday 1964 TV special ''Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer''. Rudolph and his friends first meet her during the musical note "The Most Wonderful Day of the Year." Each of the toys take turns explaining the Island of Misfit Toys and why some of them are there, and Dolly first appears saying the line "the kind that will even say 'How do you do?'"

In the original 1964 film, Rudolph did not keep his promise to King Moonracer by telling [[Santa Claus]] about the island, therefore leaving the toys deserted and abandoned. Several viewers, especially children, were "disappointed" and "heartbroken" of the ending because Rudolph broke his promise to the king and all the toys of the island. Several fans demanded that the ending was changed, as it felt unsatisfying and distasteful. The team eventually began creating an alternate scene that better fit the film, and even an additional scene where Rudolph whispers to Santa about the island when he returns to the [[North Pole]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-12-01|title=The original ending to 'Rudolph' was a bummer|url=https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/national/why-the-original-ending-to-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer-was-heartbreaking|access-date=2021-07-10|website=KMGH|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-12-25|title=Was the Original Ending to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Changed Due to Viewer Complaints?|url=http://legendsrevealed.com/entertainment/2013/12/25/was-the-original-ending-to-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer-changed-due-to-viewer-complaints/|access-date=2021-07-10|website=Entertainment Legends Revealed!}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Wright|first=Catherine|last2=Articles|first2=More|last3=December 27|first3=2020|date=2020-12-28|title=The 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ Movie Changed Its Ending After Viewers Complained|url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/the-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer-movie-changed-its-ending-after-viewers-complained.html/|access-date=2021-07-10|website=Showbiz Cheat Sheet|language=en-US}}</ref> In the new closing scene, Charlie, Dolly, and the [[Misfit Elephant]] are sitting in front of a campfire in the snow, awaiting for Santa to come and pick them up. The toys begin to lose hope in Rudolph's promise, as the Elephant suggests they've "been forgotten again." Dolly assures the toys that Rudolph made his promise, but eventually becomes saddened when she starts to believe they will not come and find them. Charlie then notices something twinkling in the sky, and notices it is Santa, and the three realize Rudolph didn't break his promise. The toys of the island jump in Santa's toy sack and take off, each of the toys jumping out through the end credits, most holding on to umbrellas.

=== ''Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys'' ===

Dolly appears in the 2001 Canadian film ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys]]'', and is voiced by [[Kathleen Barr]]. She is one of the many toys stolen by the Toy Taker, who is in disbelief as she begins to miss her owner. The Toy Taker, however, makes sure all the toys are happy and assures them all, especially Dolly, that their owners don't fully care for them, and will eventually grow tired of them, and possibly even throw them away.

== In other media ==

Dolly appeared in [[The Simpsons|''The Simpsons'']] [[2003]] [[episode]] "[['Tis the Fifteenth Season]]," where [[Homer Simpson]] sees a fictional stop motion television special titled ''The Year Santa Got Lost'', in which the doll and other Misfit Toys are seen listening to a story told by a mailman. The episode was a parody of [[Rankin/Bass]] [[stop-motion]] Christmas specials. She appears as a cameo character alongside Charlie-in-the-Box, Misfit Elephant, the Train with Square Wheels, Gun That Shoots Jelly, and the Plane That Can't Fly. As of currently, this is the last known and cited appearance of the Misfit Elephant in movies or television.

Dolly has also been part of several Hallmark holiday collectibles and ornaments since the films release.

== Reception and comparisons ==

Many have compared Dolly to [[Jessie (Toy Story)|Jessie]] from the ''[[Toy Story (franchise)|Toy Story]]'' franchise, both being rag dolls with red hair who were abandoned by their previous owners.

== References ==