Misfit Elephant

The Misfit Elephant (also known as the Spotted Elephant and Polka-Dotted Elephant) is a fictional character introduced in the 1964 television Christmas stop motion film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. He is a plush toy elephant who resided on the Island of Misfit Toys. The Misfit Elephant was voiced by Carl Banas and created by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Romeo Muller. He has been easily recognized as one of the more popular Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer characters, although not a significant one in the overall story. In the 1964 film, the Misfit Elephant is a inhabitant of the Island of Misfit Toys. He resides on the island because no child wants to play with him due to the apparent visibility of polka-dots on his body.
Concept and creation
The Misfit Elephant was created as part of the many inhabitants of the Island of Misfit Toys. Like all the other toys on the island, there was something that made him an unwanted or disregarded child's toy, which were the red polka-dots covering his entire body. Like the Cowboy That Rides an Ostrich, the Gun That Shoots Jelly, or the Train With Square Wheels, the Elephant had a manufacturing defect that prevented him from having a child that wanted him.
For many years, fans and viewers of the 1964 TV special questioned why the Misfit Elephant and Dolly for Sue were on the island as there seemed to be nothing wrong with them as toys, as children in real-life wanted them for their own. Arthur Rankin Jr., the producer of the film, stated that it was clear why the Spotted Elephant was on the island, hence his name.
Although viewers and fans believe the Elephant to be a representation of racism, none of the creators of the 1964 film have confirmed it.
Characteristics
The Misfit Elephant is a small, white stuffed plush elephant with pink polka-dots all over his body. He has blue toes and the tip of his trunk is blue. He also has black eyes and a red mouth. In the 2001 Canadian sequel his appearance changes drastically. In the film, the Misfit Elephant appears to look like a normal stuffed elephant that walks on all fours, as compared to his original counterpart, who only walks on two feet.
Fictional history
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964 film)
The toy made his first appearance in the 1964 Christmas film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and was voiced by Carl Banas. He is first introduced when Rudolph and his friends stumble across the island by mistake where Charlie, an abandoned jack-in-a-box, introduces them to the misfit inhabitants, where they join together in the musical number "The Most Wonderful Day of the Year." Eventually, in the song, the Misfit Elephant addresses his problem has to do with his spots on his body, asking the question "who wants to play with a spotted elephant?" Later, when Rudolph and his friends make their way to King Moonracer's castle on the island to ask permission to stay on the island (as they are misfits themselves), Moonracer grants their request and orders the Misfit Elephant, now wearing what seems to be a Butler's hat, to take Rudolph and their friends to their new living area.
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. 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, with the help of a male Christmas Elf.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys
The Misfit Elephant appears as a silent character in the 2001 Canadian film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys. He is one of the many toys stolen by the Toy Taker. Unlike his original counterpart, the Misfit Elephant is depicted as a real-like plush elephant and walks on all four legs instead of two. By the end of the film, he is returned to his owner before Christmas.
In other media
The Misfit Elephant 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 Elephant 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. He appears as a cameo character alongside Charlie-in-the-Box, Dolly for Sue, 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.
The Misfit Elephant made a cameo appearance in the 2010 video game, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, based on the 1964 stop motion film. During one of the mini games, a Christmas Elf can drop him into a chimney from Santa's sack while holding onto a blue umbrella. He appears on the artwork cover of the video game, alongside Dolly for Sue, Rudolph, Bumble, Santa, and .
The Misfit Elephant has been part of several Hallmark Christmas ornaments and collectibles since the 1964 film's release. A of the Misfit Elephant was released in 2013 as part of the Holiday collectible line. He was released alongside Rudolph, Hermey the Elf, Santa Claus, Yukon, and Bumble. The Misfit Elephant is currently the only Island of Misfit Toys resident and character to appear as a Pop! vinyl. In merchandise, he continues to be a rare and valuable collectors item in all forms of official production.
Reception
The Misfit Elephant has been cited as one of the more popular Island of Misfit Toys inhabitants, as well as an identifiable and recognizable character of the 1964 film. His popularity and recognition lead to the creation of several Hallmark collectible Christmas items, such as ornaments and displayable figures. He also appeared as a Funko Pop! vinyl in 2013 and as several plush toys through 1980 and 2005.
Real-life comparisons
Many fans of the holiday special compared the spots the Misfit Elephant as a symbol for both racism and vitiligo, explaining the reason he wasn't loved by a child or that a child didn't want him was because his "skin," or cloth, was different than a normal stuffed elephant. Overall, some viewers believe him to be symbolism of discrimination.
In 2018, the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 1964 stop motion film was being slammed by viewers on Twitter for misleading and that its message was unclear, one of their points being the representation of the Misfit Elephant through racism. Although the main misleading theme was bullying, Whoopi Goldberg responded to the slams on the movie and its characters and thought of it as "ridiculous."

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