Name: The First Easter Rabbit
Director: Jules Bass
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Released: 1976-04-09
Duration: 25 min
Rating: 5.8
Cast: Burl Ives, Robert Morse, Stan Freberg, Paul Frees, Don Messick

Burl Ives narrates a stuffed rabbit's glow-up to holiday icon in 25 minutes of pure Rankin-Bass chaos.

stop-motion cozyholiday origin storyfairy godmother energy

Overview

Animation Comedy Family

A beloved toy stuffed rabbit is rescued by a fairy to be the first Easter Rabbit.

Content warning

holiday anthropomorphic animal easter bunny easter easter rabbit

Standout Aspects

Acting

Burl Ives' grandfatherly warmth carries the whole thing.

Production

That signature Rankin-Bass stop-motion glow you can taste.

Best for:Family·Background·Rewatch

Director

Jules Bass

ReleasedApr 9, 1976

Runtime25m

StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacefast

Intensitylow

Tonelight

Feellight

Top Cast

Burl Ives

Narrator / Older Stuffy (voice)

Robert Morse

Young Stuffy (voice)

Stan Freberg

Flops (voice)

Paul Frees

Zero / Santa (voice)

Don Messick

Whiskers / Jonathan (voice)

Joan Gardner

Elizabeth / Calliope (voice)

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

This was one of six Rankin-Bass Easter specials, because they were determined to own every holiday stop-motion market.

Cultural

The 'animagic' technique used here—replacement animation with wooden puppets—was the same that made Rudolph a legend, just with way less budget and slightly more existential dread about being unwanted.

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