| Dolly for Sue | |
|---|---|
| Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer character | |
| First appearance | Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) |
| Created by | Arthur Rankin Jr. Romeo Muller |
| Voiced by | Corinne Conley (1964) Kathleen Barr (2001) |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Dolly for Sue |
| Species | Rag doll |
| 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 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 for Sue was created to be an inhabitant of the Island of Misfit Toys that Rudolph and his friends mistakenly come across during the climax of the 1964 film. Not much was known about her or her reason for being on the island until the producer revealed more information about the character decades later.
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, which is why Dolly's reason for being on the island stunned viewers because they based her reason for being there on her physical appearance.[1][2][3]
Appearance
Dolly is a peach-skinned colored doll that wears a pink and white patterned dress with a white collar and red shoes. She also has red hair tied in pigtails using red ribbons. She has a red mouth and black eyes.
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.[4][5][6] 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 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.[7]
Dolly has also been part of several Hallmark holiday collectibles and ornaments since the films release.
References
- ^ "The Dolly in 'Rudolph' Is Actually on the Island of Misfit Toys for a Heartbreaking Reason". Distractify. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
- ^ Am; December 11, a FerrisPublished:; 2013. "10 Things You Didn't Know About 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'". TheFW. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
{{cite web}}:|last3=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ III, Joe Hummel (2019-12-01). "What Was Wrong With Rudolph's Dolly For Sue?". Pop Culture Madness Network News. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
- ^ "The original ending to 'Rudolph' was a bummer". KMGH. 2016-12-01. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
- ^ "Was the Original Ending to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Changed Due to Viewer Complaints?". Entertainment Legends Revealed!. 2013-12-25. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
- ^ Wright, Catherine; Articles, More; December 27, 2020 (2020-12-28). "The 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' Movie Changed Its Ending After Viewers Complained". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
{{cite web}}:|first3=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "'Tis the Fifteenth Season | Simpsons Wiki | Fandom". simpsons.fandom.com. Retrieved 2021-07-10.
