Thursday, April 1, 2010

A Rankin-Bass Easter

Concluding my look at animated holiday specials with three fun Rankin-Bass holiday classics.
HERE COMES PETER COTTONTAIL (1971)Originally airing on ABC, this Rankin-Bass Stop-motion classic was adapted from the song by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins. The story is narrated by Danny Kaye and features the voices of Casey Kasem, Paul Frees and Vincent Price. Even Santa Claus makes a cameo. The show moved to CBS in 1976.
THE FIRST EASTER RABBIT(1976) NBC aired this half-hour traditional Cel animated special from Rankin-Bass featuring Irving Berlin's classic holiday song "Easter Parade". Narrated by holiday cartoon favorite, Burl Ives. Other voices include Robert Morse, Stan Freberg, and Paul Frees. Moved to The Disney Channel in the 1990s.
EASTER BUNNY IS COMIN' TO TOWN (1977) Animagic classic, narrated by Fred Astaire, recreating his mailman role from SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN. Debuting on ABC, this also moved to The Disney Channel in the 1990s. For much more on Rankin-Bass, don't forget to visit Rick Goldschmidt's Enchanted World of Rankin-Bass.

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