Peter Cottontail


Peter Cottontail was created by the prolific children’s story writer named Thornton W. Burgess.  He is the one who co-wrote the 1971 TV special “Here Come Peter Cottontail” although it is not based on any of his own stories.  The TV special was based on a book by Priscilla & Otto Freidrich written in 1957 entitled The Easter Bunny That Overslept.

It was Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins who really made Peter Cottontail famous back in 1949 when they wrote the song “Here Comes Peter Cottontail”.  The song was popularized by Gene Autrey.  For those who like nostalgia, you can listen to Autrey’s 78 rpm recording being played on old time phonograph by clicking here.  Roy Rogers had a popular version of this song as well.

If you have ever seen the TV special “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” you know how overwhelming it might be for the very young since it covers so many holidays in one story.  Some great artists lent their voices to this fun animated show such as Casey Kasem as Peter Rabbit, Danny Kaye as several of the characters, and Vincent Price as the villian January Q. Irontail.  To see the trailer for the show click here,

The Freidrich’s story is quite simple and can be read in one night as a bedtime story to little children.  But the TV special is much more involved.  Young Peter Cottontail longs to become the Chief Easter Bunny and must win this honor by delivering the most eggs on Easter.  But evil January Q. Irontail also wants the position but only because he wants to ruin the celebration for children everywhere.  You see, a small child on a tricycle had run over him which resulted in the loss of his tail being replaced with an iron prosthetic.  Irontail wants revenge.  Peter is manuvered into having to give eggs away at famous holidays besides Easter, but of course in the end he wins.

A sequel was made in 2006 “Here Comes Peter Cottontail: The Movie” and is available on DVD.  Roger Moore and Christopher Lloyd are among the cast.  In this one Peter’s son, Junior, is featured who has to prevent Irontail from making winter into a permanent season.