(CNN) -- The longest-running holiday special still has a very shiny nose. 

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" premiered on television December 6, 1964, and is now one of the holiday season's perennial favorites. The story of the reindeer who saves Christmas is beloved among children and adults alike. 

The Rankin-Bass animated film production company used Japanese puppets and stop motion to tell the tale, bolstered by a soundtrack featuring Burl Ives' rendition of the theme song. 

In the story, Santa's reindeer Donner and his wife have a son, Rudolph, who has the distinction of a nose that glows. He runs away after being made to feel an outcast and links up with an elf who dreams of becoming a dentist and an adventurer seeking silver and gold. 

After ending up on the Island of Misfit Toys and wandering for a while, Rudolph goes on to save his loved ones from the Abominable Snow Monster and guides Santa through a blizzard that threatens to ruin Christmas. 

In 2006, the New York Times reported that fans drove for miles to see the Rudolph and Santa Claus puppets at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. The pair were thought to be the last of the surviving production puppets. They had been taken home by a production company employee and given to her children after filming was completed. 

"In 2005, the nephew of the original rescuer found the puppets in a family attic and brought them to be appraised on the PBS series 'Antiques Roadshow,' " the Times said. "Created for about $5,000 each in 1964, they were valued at $8,000 to $10,000 for the pair. The family sold both figures to Kevin A. Kriess, the president of TimeandSpaceToys.com and a lifelong fan of the Rankin-Bass films." 
Who is Rudolph's father?
Why does Rudolph run away?
What makes him different from the other reindeer?
Who does he save during a snow storm?
Does he save Christmas?
What Island does he travel to?
Which company produced the movie?
When did it premiere?
What methods were used in filming the movie?
Are all of the puppets still in existence?
How many remain?
Which?
Where had they been stored since their use in the show?
When were they rediscovered?
When were they put on display?
Where?
How much did they appraise for in 2005?
How much did they originally cost to produce?
What year were they made?
Who bought them?
Donner
Santa's reindeer Donner and his wife have a son, Rudolph,
he felt like an outcast
He runs away after being made to feel an outcast 
his nose glows
 Rudolph, who has the distinction of a nose that glows
his loved ones
Rudolph goes on to save his loved ones from the Abominable Snow Monster and guides Santa through a blizzard that threatens to ruin Christmas. 
yes
guides Santa through a blizzard that threatens to ruin Christmas. 
the Island of Misfit Toys
After ending up on the Island of Misfit Toys
Rankin-Bass
The Rankin-Bass animated film production company used Japanese puppets and stop motion to tell the tale
December 6, 1964
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" premiered on television December 6, 1964
Japanese puppets and stop motion
The Rankin-Bass animated film production company used Japanese puppets and stop motion to tell the tale
no
The pair were thought to be the last of the surviving production puppets. 
two
The pair were thought to be the last of the surviving production puppets. 
Rudolph and Santa Claus
 the Rudolph and Santa Claus puppets at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. The pair were thought to be the last
in a family attic
 the nephew of the original rescuer found the puppets in a family attic 
In 2005
In 2005, the nephew of the original rescuer found the puppets 
In 2006
In 2006, the New York Times reported that fans drove for miles to see 
the Center for Puppetry Arts
In 2006, the New York Times reported that fans drove for miles to see the Rudolph and Santa Claus puppets at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta
$8,000 to $10,000 for the pair
 they were valued at $8,000 to $10,000 for the pair
about $5,000 each
"Created for about $5,000 each
1964
Created for about $5,000 each in 1964
Kevin A. Kriess
 The family sold both figures to Kevin A. Kriess