Episode 1505

Topic: Make-Believe (Creativity)
Air Date: July 2, 1982
Previous Episode: 1504 - Make-Believe (Creativity)
Next Episode: 1506 - Friends
Purchase/Stream: Amazon

Mister Rogers arrives and quickly moves into the opera which has been planned throughout the week. The opera is to include various components from the previous four episodes and will focus around "Spoon Mountain."

The opera opens with Joe Negri playing the part of the Storyteller as he sings an introductory tune. The royal family of King Kittypuss, Queen Mumsiebelle, and the Prince Extraordinary (played by Chef Brockett, Miss Paulificate, and Chuck Aber) are deciding who will celebrate a birthday today. After it is determined that it will be Queen Mumsiebelle's birthday, Kittypuss' surprise gift to her is a mountain -- Spoon Mountain.

As the royal family is dancing about, Betty Green of the park service (Lady Aberlin) interrupts with the news that a Purple Twirling Kitty was climbing to the top of Spoon Mountain but is being held captive by the Wicked Knife and Fork who is demanding ownership of Spoon Mountain. The Prince and Betty Green set out determined to help the Kitty.

At Spoon Mountain, Prince Extraordinary and Betty Green buckle together as they begin scaling the mountain. Nearing the top, the climbers are welcomed by Commodore (Officer Clemmons) to Balindore -- a door on the mountain which leads to a resting place for travelers serving a hearty meal of fresh popcorn. With a bowl of popcorn, the two rescuers tune into a newscast (by Reardon) and learn that the "siege on Spoon Mountain [has grown] more serious... [as] Wicked Knife and Fork has put Purple Twirling Kitty in chains in order to keep him on the mountain." Purple Twirling Kitty (Jeff Shade) pleads to viewers for help as Wicked Knife and Fork (Bob Trow) continues his demand for Spoon Mountain. Extraordinary and Betty depart Balindore with the support of Commodore.

After singing a song of appreciation for Betty Green, Prince Extraordinary and Betty reach the top of Spoon Mountain where they encounter Wicked Knife and Fork and learn that Purple Twirling Kitty has been hidden. As they find Purple Twirling Kitty, Wicked Knife and Fork attempts to capture the Prince and Betty as well; however, his efforts are cut short with the arrival of Commodore. Wicked Knife and Fork reveals that all he ever really wanted was a spoon.

The entire group returns to the castle where some of Wicked Knife and Fork's knives and forks will be melted into spoons. Celebrating the Queen's birthday, Prince Extraordinay and Betty Green share the news that they are in love and will soon marry. Wicked Knife and Fork also declares that he will change his name.

Back at the house, Mister Rogers reviews the themes of love found in Spoon Mountain -- "From the outsides of people, you certainly can't always tell what's in their hearts. There's so much more to everyone you meet than will ever meet your eye. There are wonderful surprises in all of us."

Notes

Often labeled as the "Creativity" series of episodes, the title of this week's programs is actually "Make-Believe."

Mister Rogers finishes Won't You Be My Neighbor with "So we can make up an opera today!"

While some viewers who may have missed the first four episodes in this series may be a bit perplexed as to why such an emphasis is placed on certain objects in this opera, Mister Rogers makes clear at the beginning of the episode that the opera will include a combination of "things we've been thinking about together these past times." He goes on to list many of these seemingly random items: "...spoons, and a mountain,...and a kitty, and a king and queen, and comodore, and popcorn, and seatbelts, and even Reardon being busy making the news. The kitty could be the baton twirler dressed in a purple kitty costume."

This episode is featured on the VHS release Spoon Mountain Opera.

Behind the scenes footage of rehearsals for this opera is featured in the Profiles in Excellence video.

Kitty Kitty Kitty plays in the background during the closing credits of this episode.

The traditional Happy Birthday song is used for the line “Happy Birthday Queen Mumsibelle, Happy Birthday to you” and plays in the background later as the King and Queen mention birthdays while watching the news.

A clip from this episode is featured in Mister Rogers Talks With Parents About Make-Believe.

Appearing In This Episode

• Bob Trow
• Chef Brockett
• Francois Clemmons
• Handyman Negri
• Lady Aberlin
• Miss Paulificate
• Mister Rogers
• Neighbor Aber
• Reardon
• Robert Troll

Guests

• Jeff Shade

Songs

• All I Ever Wanted Was a Spoon
• Extraordinary Way
• It Doesn't Matter Who's In Trouble
• It's Such a Good Feeling
• Kitty Kitty Kitty
• Once Upon a Time
• Someone Will Save Us
• Spoon Mountain
• There's a Wonder In This Mountain
• Today I Give You a Mountain
• Too Late
• We Must Go Right Away
• Wedding Tomorrow, A
• The Weekend Song
• Welcome To Balindore
• What Will Your Name Be?
• Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Images

Episode Credits

With Fred Rogers
Neighbors: Chuck Aber, Betty Aberlin, Don Brockett, Francois Clemmons, Joe Negri, John Reardon, Audrey Roth, Jeff Shade, Bob Trow
Special thanks to: Becket Senchur, O.S.B.
Executive Producer: Fred Rogers
Producer: Sam Newbury
Director: Paul Lally
Composer: Fred Rogers
Music Director: John Costa
Associate Producer: Margy Whitmer
Art Director: Jack Guest
Costume Designer: Barbara Anderson
Editor: Michael Colonna
Properties: Jan Pascale
Technical Supervisors: Ken Anderson, Mike Laver
Studio Supervisor: Doug Coates
Production Coordinator: John Cosgrove
Assistant Director: Margy Whitmer
Technical Director: Jim Ochtun
Lighting Director: Frank Warninsky
Video: Don McCall, Don Williamson
Studio Cameras: Jack Arthurs, Merv Lightner, Don McCall, Bob Vaughn, Art Vogel
Studio Audio: Dick LaSota
Videotape: Kevin Conrad
Floor Manager: Jim Seech
Production Crew: Joe Abeln, Diane Donati, Rich Dwyer, Kate Kearney, Eric Sanchez, William Wegert
Location Production: Paul Dunlap, Mark Knobil, Kenneth Love, Joe Seamans
Carpenters: Patsy Gianelli, Rich Karapandi
Assistant Art Director: Fredericka Gray
Scenic Artists: Eileen Garrigan, Crispin Gray, Mark Napoletano, Alexis Samulski, Gayle Wurthner
Musicians: Carl McVicker, Bob Rawsthorne
Make-Up: Ainslie Bruneaux
Production Assistants: Viki Gedrys, Lenny Meledandri
Post Production: TPC Communications Inc.
Videotape Editor: Chuck Aikman
Audio Mixer: Bill Forsythe
Consultants: Albert V. Corrado M.D., Margaret B. McFarland Ph.D.

Produced in association with WQED/Pittsburgh
A production of Family Communications
© 1982 Family Communications, Inc.