Thank you Easter Bunny!

We're easy marks for holiday sentimentalism on Urbanite, so when Easter comes around, we expect to turn on the tube and get some retro comfort. Here's a look at some of the holiday goodies Urbanite craves:

1.) That M&M commercial with the kids

This commercial for M&Ms is warmly remembered as the "Thank you Easter Bunny" campaign. A veritable United Nations of adorable tots thanks the Easter Bunny for those delicious treats that melt in your mouth, not in your hands. A classic jingle and old-fashioned emotional manipulation make for a dependable nostalgia inducer.

2.) The bunny Cadbury's Creme Eggs commercial

The gravely avuncular pipes of Mason Adams provide the warm and fuzzy narration for this commercial. The adorable little bunny clucks like a chicken (these are eggs, after all.) Mr. Adams, one of the most prolific commercial voice-over artists of the 20th century, gently reminds us to buy those eggs ASAP: "Why, they're the best thing to come along since the Easter Bunny, and when he's gone, they're gone."

3.) Dudley Rabbit shills for egg-painting kits

The first ad, from 1984, features a goofy rabbit telling us of four exciting ways to paint eggs, including the classic "Shake-an-Egg"and "Dip-an-Egg." Dudley's instructions for dipping: "Just mix my coloring crystals with water. Dunk a hard-boiled egg. And look at the snazzy eggs you can make!" I can still smell the vinegar now! The second ad is just for "Shake-an-Egg," and dates to 1982.

4.) "The Ten Commandments" on ABC

Here are bumpers, voiced by the great Ernie Anderson (of "The Loooove Boat" fame), for a 1980s presentation of  "The Ten Commandments." Some traditions die hard: Last night, ABC once again trotted out "The Ten Commandments."

5.) "Jesus of Nazareth" on NBC

Robert Powell's iconic performance as Jesus Christ, a sterling supporting cast, Maurice Jarre's stirring soundtrack, and Franco Zeffirelli's direction all combine to make "Jesus of Nazareth" appointment viewing each Easter. The first clip is "The Sermon on the Mount," with that haunting musical theme providing the accompaniment -- definitely one of the strongest scenes in the miniseries. The second contains Jarre's haunting theme.

 6.) "Peter Cottontail"

This is more of a Chicago tradition, but here's a black-and-white"Peter Cottontail" cartoon that made the rounds for years on WGN-TV. Part of the same Windy City tradition that gave us "Hardrock Coco and Joe," "Suzy Snowflake" and "Frosty the Snowman."

-- Rolando Pujol

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