THE NEIGHBORHOOD ARCHIVE - All Things Mister Rogers

Episode 1013

Episode 1013
Topic	N/A
Air Date	February 26, 1969
Songs	Won't You Be My Neighbor?; One and One Are Two; Troll Talk; Tomorrow
Guests	Johnny Costa Lynda Martha Bill Becze Laurel Green Akeba Blazia
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Upon his arrival, Mister Rogers mentions that he is suffering from a mild cold. Taking two tissues from his pocket, he sings One and One Are Two before Lady Aberlin stops by with an invitiation to a variety show. The variety show -- appropriately being held in the castle's V Room -- is in honor of King Friday and Sara Saturday.

Outside his house, Mister Rogers finds Honey the chimpanzee who has been momentarily lost by Mr. Bill Becze, his keeper from the Westwood Children's Zoo. Mr. Becze is relieved to find Honey safe with Mister Rogers as they are due for their performance at the castle's variety show.

In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Lady Elaine Fairchilde continues working on her surprise wedding gift for the royal couple while everyone else comes to the castle wearing purple gloves. Henrietta Pussycat is experiencing a bit of stage fright as King Friday and Sara Saturday arrive to the V Room.

The variety show begins with a piano performance by "court musician" Johnny Costa followed by a vocal piece sung by Officer Clemmons and a dazzling twirling routine from Lynda Martha. Unfortunately, Mr. Becze has to cancel Honey the Chimp's performance due to Honey having a cold. A nervous Henrietta Pussycat shares a message for the royal couple prepared by the "people from the other side of the Trolley tracks." The variety show concludes with the "Purple Glove Ballet" peformed by dancers from another land followed by Robert Troll singing Troll Talk.

Back at the house, Mister Rogers sings a bit of Troll Talk as he recounts the variety show performances.

Screenshots

Notes

Based on the sound of his voice, it seems that Fred Rogers was indeed suffering from a cold when this episode was filmed.
Lady Aberlin mentions that the variety show will start in 201 seconds to which Mister Rogers responds, "That's a little over two minutes." 201 seconds is approximately 3 1/2 minutes.
Honey the chimpanzee first appeared in the Neighborhood in Episode 0014.
The piece played by Johnny Costa was intended to be a "variation on a famous phone number." Sara Saturday recognizes it as her phone number: 311-555-4321. According to Wikipedia, "in former times, 311 was sometimes used as a fictitious area code. This number is also referenced in Episode 0079, Episode 0129, and Episode 1158.
The song sung by Officer Clemmons is called Because (words and music by Edward Teschemacher and Guy d'Hardelot).
It is not specified who the "people on the other side of the Trolley tracks" are, but their message read by Henrietta Pussycat is as follows:

Meow King Friday. Meow meow meow Queen. Meow meow so glad meow meow meow decided meow meow married. Meow neighbors. Meow meow meow meow to say meow congratulations. Meow also meow love you.
King Friday sends his best wishes to the Frogg family via Mr. Becze. The Froggs recently moved to Westwood from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.
Lynda Martha was the 1967 Miss Majorette of America from Pittsburgh, PA. She first appeared in the Neighborhood on Episode 0008.
It is suggested by both Lady Aberlin and Mister Rogers that Sara Saturday is responsible for taming Robert Troll.

Episode Credits

Produced by WQED Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in association with Small World Enterprises, Inc. for N.E.T.

Created and Produced by Fred Rogers
Directed by David Fu-Ying Chen
Music Director: Johnny Costa
Neighbors: Betty Aberlin, Bill Becze, Akeba Blazia, Francois Clemmons, Johnny Costa, Laurel Green, Lynda Martha, Bob Trow
Executive Producer: Paul K. Taff

Production funds for this television visit were provided by a grant from the Sears Roebuck Foundation and a children's program fund established by N.E.T. affiliated stations.

Appearing In This Episode

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