It's an Easter Celebration!

 

The Easter Bunny Back-ups

Once again this year Shades of Gray is ready to spring into action if the Easter Bunny needs help. This year's Captain of the Bunny Bunch is Tallulah Willis, promoted from main back-up Back-up Bunny after her strong showing last year! (She looks a little haggard. We hope she's up for the task...)

 Joining Ms. Willis and eager for some egg-distributing action is her fellow veteran Bunny Debbie Harry...

 

... as well as Dorothy Sebastian. She's going to handle all logistical matters, so she's trying to think through any potential problems before they occur.

Meanwhile, if anything proves too tough for these three ladies to handle, John Wayne's on hand! (Goldie Hawn was going to be the fourth bunny, but we got the costume size wrong....)

In case there was any doubt...

 ... we here at Shades of Gray do know that Easter is about more than babes and bunny costumes.

The Easter Bunny Backups

In case of trouble, the Shades of Gray Easter Bunny Backups are standing by.

Rachel Weisz is the Back-up Bunny this year.

And she will be supported by Mystery Bunny (who is secretly actress Tallulah Willis).

Meanwhile, Sheena Liam--Malaysia's greatest embroidery artist, fashion model, and expert in Martian Easter traditions--will leap into action to deliver eggs to any visitors from the Red Planet. 

No Rest for the Wandering Jew

The Wandering Jew (1905)
Starring: Georges Méliès
Director: Georges Méliès
Rating: Six of Ten Stars

A man (Méliès), who has been cursed to wander the world until Judgement Day, rests and dreams about how he came to suffer this fate.

From a 21st century perspective, "The Wandering Jew" is one of Georges Méliès's lesser efforts. In 1905, I suspect that the audiences were very impressed by elaborately painted sets that give this film an almost three-dimensional look, as well as the way a dream unfolds semi-transparently on the screen and devils and angels appear and disappear in split seconds. To the modern viewer, though, these things are common place... and they way Méliès does it may even seem clumsy. For the time it was remarkable, especially considering that he invented and developed the techniques that. 

One good reason for a modern viewer to watch this short film is for its succinct telling of the 13th century story of the man who was watching Jesus drag his cross through Jerusalem on his way to be executed--and this man not only refused Jesus's plea for water but also mocked him. As a result, he was cursed to wander the earth, without rest, until God renders Final Judgement on all humans who ever lived.

It's been a story that's fascinated me since I first heard it as a little kid, so I am predisposed to liking adaptations of it. This one I enjoyed because it is very literally in its interpretation of the Wandering Jew not ever being able to rest... and that not only do angels enforce the curse, but devils do as well. This is a nicely done adaptation that relates the core of the original story in a clear and straightforward fashion. Another sign of its effectiveness is that it once again made me wonder why the man remains cursed, given the central theme of Jesus's sacrifice and Christianity in general.

As always, you're invited to take a few moments to watch this historic short film right here, from this post.

You can check out another of Méliès' films based in Christian tales--"The Temptation of St. Anthony" by clicking here. The effects in that one are more extensive... and it's also just a whole lot of fun.

On this Easter Sunday...

... the Easter Bunny is still trying to decide if it's safe to leave her hutch, what with the Coronavirus and Joe Biden abroad in the land!

Easter is coming...

Elke Sommers and the Easter Bunny have been discussing how to ensure an equitable distribution of eggs this year. We look forward to seeing their plan put into action.

Meanwhile, we want to remind everyone that this is also the time of year when the Mitzi Gaynors hatch. Be on the lookout for this natural wonder that's rarely witnessed by human eyes!

We're getting ready for Easter...

... but we're running a bit behind on the decorations. Jean Arthur stopped by to help, and we're working as fast as we can!

Happy Easter!

No foolin'! Adele Mara is bursting with excitement because it's Easter!

Easter is coming!

Adele Jergens is out and about with the Easter Bunny and his assistants hiding eggs everywhere. How many of them will you find?

Happy Easter!

Peggy Castle is standing in for the Easter Bunny this year at Shades of Gray!

Happy Easter!

Easter Fact: The easter bunny gets to hang out with chicks. It doesn't matter if he's being cute...

... or creepy.

Happy Easter!

I hope you have as much luck at finding Easter Eggs as Ann Miller did. She found the bunny that lays them!

Happy Easter

Picture Perfect Wednesday: The Substitute Easter Bunny

Hilary Swank is ready and willing to step in should the Easter Bunny be unable to perform his duties.

Why We Honor the Easter Bunny!

He brings eggs that are the source of Badge- Booth- and Playboy Bunnies, as proven by this photo!

April 8th is Easter Bunny Day! Today is Exclamation Point Day!

A Picture Perfect Easter Special

Jesus and Mo on Easter

Picture Perfect Wednesday: The Easter Angel

Actress Heather Angel is is a very attractive easter bunny in this 1933 publicity still. (It was acquired from this picture blog.)

I hope all my readers have a nice and peaceful Easter holiday.