The “candy cane forest” quote refers to a memorable line from the classic 1964 Christmas television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. In the special, one of the main characters, an elf named Hermey, expresses his discontent with having to make toys in Santa’s workshop. Hermey dreams of becoming a dentist instead. At one point in the story, Hermey tells Rudolph that he would like to someday visit a mythical “candy cane forest” where Christmas candy grows on trees. This fanciful idea represents Hermey’s desire to explore the world beyond the North Pole and follow his own dreams rather than conform to expectations.
Background on Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a Christmas stop-motion animated television special produced by Rankin/Bass Productions. It first aired on NBC on December 6, 1964 and has been broadcast annually ever since, making it the longest continuously running Christmas TV special in history.
| Year | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| 1964 | Original air date on NBC |
| 1948 | Year the story was originally created by Robert L. May for Montgomery Ward department stores |
| 1964-present | Aired annually on CBS since 1964 |
| 55 minutes | Approximate runtime |
The story is based on a 1939 poem by Robert L. May, which later became a popular children’s book. It tells the tale of Rudolph, a young reindeer who is born with an unusual glowing red nose. Because of his nonconforming nose, Rudolph is ostracized by the other reindeer. But when a terrible blizzard threatens to cancel Christmas one year, Rudolph’s nose turns out to be a blessing as its light guides Santa’s sleigh through the stormy night.
Key characters in addition to Rudolph include:
– Hermey the Misfit Elf, who dreams of being a dentist instead of making toys
– Yukon Cornelius, an eccentric prospector
– The Abominable Snow Monster, who terrorizes the North Pole
– Clarice, a young doe who becomes Rudolph’s friend and eventual love interest
The show features the voices of actors such as Burl Ives, Billie Mae Richards, and Paul Soles. It includes the iconic song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” as well as other memorable tunes. With its messages about acceptance, individuality, and overcoming adversity, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has become a beloved holiday classic.
The “Candy Cane Forest” Scene
About halfway through the special, Rudolph befriends another misfit – an elf named Hermey who does not enjoy making toys. Hermey laments to Rudolph:
“You know, I always wanted to be a dentist. I’ve tried and tried to fit in at the North Pole, but I’m just not an elf. Sometimes I wonder if I’m really cut out for making toys.”
Hermey then shares his dream that gives the quote its name:
“You know, someday I’d like to get away…really explore. Maybe even go where no elf has gone before – the Island of Misfit Toys, the candy cane forest…”
This scene establishes Hermey’s desire to chart his own course in life rather than stick to the expected elf profession of toymaking. The idea of a far-off candy cane forest symbolizes his longing to find a place where he truly belongs and can be himself, like the fellow misfits on the Island of Misfit Toys.
Significance of the Candy Cane Forest Quote
While short, Hermey’s vision of a candy cane forest where he can explore new horizons has become one of the most memorable lines from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Here are some reasons why this quote has resonated with audiences:
- It captures the imaginative, whimsical spirit of Christmas and childhood dreams.
- The candy cane forest represents hopes and wonder beyond everyday life.
- It aligns with Rudolph’s messages of acceptance, individuality, and purpose.
- The quote reflects Hermey’s desire to find a place where he truly fits in.
- It suggests there is more out there in the world beyond the North Pole.
- The candy cane forest evokes feelings of sweetness, reward, and comfort.
- It inspires viewers to think beyond limitations and pursue their dreams.
For these reasons, Hermey’s vision of a faraway candy cane forest where Christmas candy grows on trees has become a memorable emblem of the magic of the season and the human desire to find fulfillment by being true to oneself.
Usage in Pop Culture
Given its nostalgic associations with childhood innocence and Christmas wonder, the “candy cane forest” quote has been referenced many times in popular culture:
- Multiple Christmas songs mention candy cane forests, including “Must Be Santa” by Mitch Miller and “The Candy Cane Forest” by Dolly Parton.
- There is a Candy Cane Forest Lane in the holiday section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in Florida.
- A web series called Candy Cane Forest follows the adventures of holiday gnomes who live in a candy forest.
- Hallmark Channel movies such as Christmas in Love (2018) have featured candy cane forests.
- The Buffalo Zoo puts on an annual “Candy Cane Forest” holiday light display.
- Candy Cane Forest is the name of a specialty Christmas store in Houston, Texas.
- Many bakeries and confectioners sell candy cane forest cakes and other edible Christmas forest decorations.
The idea of a bright, sugary candy forest evokes childlike wonder and has become a popular Christmas motif and visualization of holiday magic. For many, just hearing the phrase “candy cane forest” brings back fond memories of watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Analysis
While short and simple on the surface, the brief mention of a candy cane forest in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer carries deeper meaning in terms of the special’s themes and character development:
- It represents imagination and escape. For the discontented elf Hermey, the candy cane forest represents an imaginative escape from the real world where he doesn’t fit in.
- It symbolizes finding a place where you belong. Like the Island of Misfit Toys, the candy cane forest offers Hermey hope of finding acceptance somewhere.
- It emphasizes Hermey’s desire for exploration and adventure. His dreams of charting new territory beyond the North Pole reflect his free spirit.
- It highlights the value of nonconformity. Hermey’s ambitions make him an oddball, but also allow him to envision wondrous new possibilities.
- It suggests there is more to the world than just the North Pole. Hermey intuits that there are places where he might find happiness beyond Santa’s domain.
- It reinforces that Christmas goes beyond material things. The candy cane forest represents magic and emotions beyond physical gifts.
So in just a few words, Hermey’s candy cane forest quote manages to emphasize central themes about finding your place, being yourself, dreaming big, and keeping the spirit of Christmas alive. This depth helps explain its lasting popularity.
Conclusion
More than 50 years since it first aired, the classic line about exploring a candy cane forest where Christmas candy grows on trees remains one of the most iconic quotes from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. This simple but vivid image captures the magical, uplifting spirit of the holiday season. It represents wonder, dreams coming true, finding a place where you belong, and staying true to yourself – all reasons why Hermey’s vision continues to resonate and inspire the childlike hope and spirit of Christmas for audiences young and old. So even though the candy cane forest itself may only be make-believe, the special feeling it evokes is very real and timeless.