Yes, I have done the Rankin Bass Easter themed specials out of order, meaning the third and final post related to their Easter specials is about their first one. So we look at "Here Comes Peter Cottontail". This special first aired on ABC on April 4th 1971, (funny enough ABC ends up with two Rankin Bass Easter specials).
This special has Danny Kaye who you might know from "White Christmas", the movie with Bing Crosby, he voices a few characters including the narrator named Seymour S. Sassafras, he's salesman who is in April valley (what happens if Easter is in March?) and is going to see Peter Cottontail to give him colors to paint Easter eggs. That's right we don't know who that is, good thing Seymour is going to tell us , right? (I'm going home)
He's a very dapper dresser/ Copyright Rankin Bass and Universal
April Valley is where Easter Bunnies live and work, so apparently in this world there's more than one, Easter Bunny, alright. Peter Cottontail is the chief Bunny, also apparently we are going to be finding out how he almost lost the job. (Budget cuts?) There's an evil rabbit named Irontail who almost became the Easter Bunny. (You gave him the name Irontail, what do you expect?)
So apparently, the job of Easter Bunny is passed down (like a monarchy!) like there was Wellington B. Bunny and he has to find a new successor and thinks Peter Cottontail might be a good one for the job. His assistant doesn't like this idea because Peter is boastful and sometimes lies. (like a monarchy!) Every time Peter lies his left ear droops, because sure. Because this is a Rankin-Bass special, that means we get songs! The first song is Wellington singing about every Easter Bunny needing to be ready for Easter. (Sung by Danny Kaye, because they got Danny Kaye and they are going to use him!)
I'm not your father/ Copyright Universal
We need our villain, and that's Irontail, he's called that because a child ran over his tail (how that work, don't bunnies have short tails?) and he wears iron one. (Why?) Anyway they got Vincent Price to voice him, because the casting people were awesome, good work guys! Irontail is mad at all children because of this. (perfectly reasonable response)
My insurance said either iron or rubber and well... /Copyright Universal
Peter is made Chief Easter Bunny, until Irontail comes in with the Constitution of April Valley. (Like a Monarchy!) We need plot for this special so, he we go; January (that's Irontial) wants to challenge for the Easter Bunny job for who gets the most eggs delivered to be the next E.B. Peter accepts. Anyway because Peter is cocky, he has a big party instead of sleeping and getting ready for the next day. Irontail also does some cheating. Thanks to I.T rigging the chicken alarm clock (what?) Peter sleeps in. Irontail tries to deliver eggs but children apparently don't like iron-tailed bunnies (because children are rude) but, he does give one egg and that's one more than Peter did so, Irontail is new Easter Bunny, special over!
Oh no! He's killing a flower, he's evil!/ Copyright Universal
More after the jump