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Last updated on December 10th, 2021
In the spirit of my post about Christmas specials that pass (or fail) the Bechdel Test, I thought it’d be fun to look at animated Easter specials.
Pass
It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown: One of the best of the animated TV Easter specials also passes this test easily. A key plot point is Peppermint Patty’s repeated failed-but-hilarious efforts to teach Marcie how to prepare Easter eggs.
Fail
Bugs Bunny’s Easter Special: One of the various 70s and 80s Looney Tunes TV specials that consists of various shorts linked together by newly-produced footage to create a “story.” In this case, the special fails; while there’s a few female characters (Granny, Miss Prissy, etc.), none of them talk to each other (given the nature of the shorts).
Here Comes Peter Cottontail: While one of the great Rankin-Bass specials, this one fails. Some female characters get screen time (a wicked witch at Halloween; Bonnie the sentient Easter bonnet; a hat shop owner at Christmas; and Donna at Valentine’s Day). However, none of them talk to each other.
The Easter Bunny Is Comin’ to Town: The few female characters (Lily Longtooth, several girls in Kidville) don’t talk to each other.
Uncertain
Yogi the Easter Bear: I haven’t seen this 1994 special, which is the last traditionally animated appearance by Yogi. However, I assume it also fails, given the lack of women characters in Yogi’s already-small cast (Cindy Bear the only regularly-appearing one). The Wikipedia page shows there’s a few women in the special, so I may be wrong.
Here Comes Peter Cottontail: The Movie: The confusingly-named direct-to-video sequel to “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” features several prominent female characters, including “Jackie Frost,” a relative of Jack Frost. However, since it’s been awhile since I’ve seen this special, I can’t recall if it passes or not.
(Updated 3/8/18)
