Abused Santa and Rudolph return to save Christmas

So, what exactly happened to the infamous puppets of Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer after they made their animated TV debut 43 years ago?

Following completion of the 1964 holiday classic, the pair were going to be thrown out.

No one expected the charming tale of how a shy little critter and his bright nose saved Christmas to be the smash hit it eventually became.

Saved from becoming landfill, the delicate puppets were given to a family where they served as children's toys and holiday decorations.

Two years ago, TimeandSpaceToys.com president, Kevin Kriess, purchased the misused Santa and Rudolph puppets.

Their painstaking restoration was completed in July 2006 by Screen Novelties, the stop-motion animation company responsible for the Cartoon Network's Robot Chicken.

From the TimeandSpaceToys.com Restoration Blog: "The restoration experts have performed a scientific analysis of the materials used on every piece of the puppets to be sure to recreate any missing parts with an exact match. For example, only ½ of Santa's original mustache has survived. The hairs of his beard and mustache has been studied to create a perfect match to build a replacement mustache half.

"Careful research and consultation with the original Rankin/Bass puppet builders have been used to reconnect loose parts in just the same manner as they were originally designed. For example Rudolph's nose chamber has been rewired through the original channel to connect a working light as his nose. Every attempt has been made to keep as many original parts intact so as to keep the puppets pure and true to their original design."

All parts have been cleaned and treated to prevent any future deterioration.

Since their resurrection, the puppets have been touring major American cities, including Chicago, Columbus, Orlando, Atlanta and Pittsburgh.

For more information about this heartwarming tale, please visit www.timeandspacetoys.com

CBS will be airing the original 1964 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer tonight at 8 p.m. ET.

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