Easter on TV!
Easter is a time of awakening and family and there are many different movie and television shows that you and your family can enjoy during this holiday season.
“Here Comes Peter Cottontail”, “The First Easter Rabbit” and “The Easter Bunny is Coming to Town”, are three delightful Easter television specials that have captured the hearts of audiences for decades since they premiered throughout the 1970’s. The three specials, that weave magic, adventure, and the spirit of Easter into timeless stories, were produced by Rankin/Bass Productions, the same creative minds behind beloved holiday classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Mad Monster Party. All of these Easter-themed tale brings magic, adventure, and colorful characters to life.
Here Comes Peter Cottontail (1971)
Set in picturesque April Valley, young Peter Cottontail dreams of becoming the Chief Easter Bunny. His chance arrives when the retiring Chief Bunny, Colonel Wellington B. Bunny, names Peter as his successor. But there’s a twist: Peter must compete against the wicked rabbit January Q. Irontail, who despises children and wants to ruin Easter.
Irontail, with his iron prosthetic tail (a result of a roller-skating mishap), challenges Peter to a contest. The winner will be the one who delivers the most eggs according to April Valley’s Constitution. Determined to prove himself, Peter accepts the challenge.
However, Peter oversleeps on Easter morning, losing the contest to Irontail. Filled with shame, he leaves April Valley. But fate intervenes when he encounters Seymour S. Sassafras, a peddler of magic and colors. Seymour offers Peter a chance to redeem himself by traveling back in time using a magical time machine.
Peter embarks on a journey through different holidays, accompanied by the caterpillar pilot Antoine. Along the way, he faces challenges, learns valuable lessons, and makes friends with various characters—a witch, a mouse, and a groundhog. Through these adventures, Peter discovers the importance of responsibility, honesty, and creativity.
The First Easter Rabbit (1976)
In the springtime of 1976, families gathered around their television sets to witness a new enchanting story unfold in their living rooms. Created by Rankin/Bass Productions, this heartwarming special premiered on April 9, 1976, first on NBC and later on CBS 123.
The plot revolves around a beloved toy—a stuffed rabbit—who captures the hearts of children. Named Glenda, the little girl cherishes her fluffy companion. However, tragedy strikes when Glenda falls ill with scarlet fever, and her cherished rabbit must be burned. But fear not, for magic is afoot!
Enter Calliope, a fairy with a penchant for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. She rescues the toy rabbit and bestows upon it an extraordinary transformation: it becomes a real rabbit! But that’s not all—Calliope assigns the newly animated bunny a special mission.
The mission? To find Easter Valley, a mystical place where the golden Easter lily blooms. Along the way, our intrepid rabbit encounters three other furry companions who join him on this whimsical journey. Together, they face a frosty adversary named Zero, a snowman with chilly intentions—he wants to freeze Easter Valley!
But fear not, for help arrives in the form of none other than Santa Claus himself. With Santa’s assistance, our brave bunny manages to deliver Easter gifts to Glenda and other children, spreading joy and marking the arrival of springtime.
And so, this animated gem weaves together magic, friendship, and the spirit of Easter. It pays homage to the timeless theme of transformation—the ordinary becoming extraordinary, the toy rabbit becoming the first Easter Bunny.
The Easter Bunny is Comin’ to Town (1977)
Fred Astaire, our beloved narrator returning from Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, spun this magical tale in the 1977 stop-motion animated Easter television special, In the enchanting world of Kidville, where colors and laughter were scarce, a heartwarming story unfolded. It all began with a baby bunny named Sunny, discovered by a group of orphaned children. These little ones raised Sunny as their own, showering him with love and care.
But Sunny was no ordinary bunny. He harbored a dream—to spread joy and happiness beyond the confines of Kidville. And so, with determination in his fluffy heart, he embarked on a remarkable journey.
His path was fraught with challenges. The giant bear Gadzooks threatened to block his way, and the town guards stood watch, enforcing Aunt Lily’s stern laws. Aunt Lily, the embodiment of gloom, had banned colors and laughter from the town, casting a shadow over its inhabitants.
Undeterred, Sunny hopped forward, inventing delightful surprises along the way. He crafted the very first Easter egg, its vibrant hues promising renewal and hope. The jelly bean, a burst of sweetness, followed suit. And who could forget the chocolate bunny—a delectable treat that would become synonymous with Easter?
As Sunny’s legend grew, he became known as the Easter Bunny, the royal knight of the rainbow egg. His mission? To bring merriment to Town and its young king, Bruce. With each egg hidden, each jelly bean shared, and each chocolate bunny gifted, Sunny painted the world with joy.
So, this Easter…
As spring blossoms and flowers bloom, and as you nibble on chocolate eggs and hunt for hidden treasures, remember the tale of Sunny, Peter that very first bunny who ALL embarked on a quest to bring joy to children everywhere. The Easter Bunny, with his basket of wonders, continues to hop into our hearts, reminding us that even in the grayest of times, color and laughter can thrive. And perhaps, just perhaps, if you listen closely, you’ll hear the faint jingle of jelly beans and the rustle of chocolate wrappers—the Easter Bunny’s eternal gift to a world that craves magic.