'The First Easter Rabbit: Deluxe Edition'
(Burl Ives, Robert Morse, et al / DVD / NR / (1982) 2010 / Warner Bros.)
Overview: Narrated by Academy Award winner Burl Ives, The First Easter Rabbit is the tuneful and vibrant, Rankin/Bass holiday classic that tells the story of the origin of the first Easter Bunny.
DVD Verdict: Academy Award winner Burl Ives narrates and Robert Morse, Stan Freberg, and Paul Frees provide character voices in a fanciful, tuneful, and color-splashed tale.
Stuffy the Rabbit is a cuddly toy who magically comes to life and journeys to Easter Valley, an enchanted realm where it's always springtime, even thought it's not far from Santa's house. From there, the Bunny hopes to bring the first-ever basket of Easter goodies to children. But a cold-hearted ice creature named Zero refuses to allow such happiness.
If he has his way, he'll freeze out Easter celebrations forever!
While not as good as Peter Cottontail or Easter Bunny, this is still an enjoyable special with all of the familiar Rankin/Bass touches - a nice, warm holiday feeling, bouncy songs and music, and colorful, fun animation. This DVD will be of special interest to those kids who just don't dig the puppet-animation, which I myself and many others prefer.
Also, 'The First Easter Rabbit: Deluxe Edition' is being offered in a fully re-mastered format and includes an all-new interactive puzzle game. The DVD’s packaging also features beautiful, rainbow foil embossing! [JB] This is a Full Screen presentation (1.33:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs
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