With Easter just around the corner, I feel now is a good time to look at some Easter themed songs from classic movies.
First up is the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. Though Gene is often more associated with his Christmas songs he did have a huge hit having to do with Easter, a fun little tune called Peter Cottontail. This song was written by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins, who wrote the famous Christmas song Frosty the Snowman. Because of Gene's success with Christmas songs the duo decided that he should be the one to record it. Gene recorded it in 1950 and it hit the number 3 spot on the country music chart. Gene would also sing the song in the feature film, The Hills of Utah (1951) and that is the version you will see here. Next comes Judy Garland and Fred Astaire performing the classic Irving Berlin song, Easter Parade from the movie Easter Parade (1948). This song dated back to a 1933 Broadway play entitled Thousands Cheer. Before this movie version the song had already been used in at least two movies, Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938) and Holiday Inn (1942). Last but not least is Doris Day and Jack Carson performing a tune called Freddie Get Ready. This scene combines live action and animation as our live action stars interact with animated characters, Bugs Bunny and Tweety. While the film's director was Michael Curtiz, this sequence was directed by Friz Freleng. This was appropriate as Friz was one of the most prolific Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons. This movie also marked Doris Day's second film. So enjoy the music and have a great Easter.
-Michael J. Ruhland
First up is the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. Though Gene is often more associated with his Christmas songs he did have a huge hit having to do with Easter, a fun little tune called Peter Cottontail. This song was written by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins, who wrote the famous Christmas song Frosty the Snowman. Because of Gene's success with Christmas songs the duo decided that he should be the one to record it. Gene recorded it in 1950 and it hit the number 3 spot on the country music chart. Gene would also sing the song in the feature film, The Hills of Utah (1951) and that is the version you will see here. Next comes Judy Garland and Fred Astaire performing the classic Irving Berlin song, Easter Parade from the movie Easter Parade (1948). This song dated back to a 1933 Broadway play entitled Thousands Cheer. Before this movie version the song had already been used in at least two movies, Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938) and Holiday Inn (1942). Last but not least is Doris Day and Jack Carson performing a tune called Freddie Get Ready. This scene combines live action and animation as our live action stars interact with animated characters, Bugs Bunny and Tweety. While the film's director was Michael Curtiz, this sequence was directed by Friz Freleng. This was appropriate as Friz was one of the most prolific Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons. This movie also marked Doris Day's second film. So enjoy the music and have a great Easter.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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