Misterogers (CBC, 12/16/1963)
Network: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Air Date: December 16, 1963
Mister Rogers talks about using his imagination while lying in the dark at night. He turns out the lights and uses a flashlight to help him find viewers in the dark. He goes on to talk about different kinds of lights found in homes and how every home and every family is different. To express his appreciation for everyone's individuality, Mister Rogers sings I Like You As You Are.
In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Captain Blye sings I Like You As You Are to Tadpole Frogg. Tad shares that he really wants to be a grown-up frog like his dad, but Captain Blye encourages him to be patient and enjoy being young. Tad goes on to say that it would be really nice to move to the pond in Make-Believe.
Captain Blye moves along, carrying a Hanukkah menorah with him as he goes. Stopping at the tree, he explains to X the Owl that he is on his way to a Hanukkah dinner. When X asks about the menorah, Captain Blye explains the significance of the candles and mentions that Hanukkah is the Jewish "Festival of Lights."
When Henrietta Pussycat opens her door, Captain Blye gives them both a dreidel and sings I Have a Little Dreidel. Henrietta asks him to sing another Hanukkah song and Captain Blye obliges by singing Mi Yimalel. He goes on to explain to X and Henrietta that Hanukkah celebrates the Maccabean fight for freedom to "worship God the way they wanted to." X understands and suggests that it is "like Daniel wanted that little tadpole to be free to decide whether he wanted to come and live here or not."
Tadpole Frogg arrives at the tree and shares news that he has informed Daniel that he would like to move to Make-Believe. In celebration, they all sing I Have a Little Dreidel together.
Back at the house, Mister Rogers receives a dreidel sent to him by way of the Neighborhood Trolley and sings a few lines of I Have a Little Dreidel. He wishes well to anyone celebrating Hanukkah.
Notes
X the Owl drops the dreidel when it is handed to him by Captain Blye. X comments, "Butterwings -- that's what I am today."
Later, as the episode is about to transition back to Mister Rogers, Captain Blye suggests that he will put a dreidel on the Neighborhood Trolley to "give to Mr. X for a Hanukkah present." Of course, he means to say "Mister Rogers" but X the Owl quickly covers: "That's neat! Give it to Mister Rogers!" Captain Blye then excuses his own mistake: "Mister Rogers! I'm sorry, X. You got me all mixed up when you dropped that dreidel."
During the credits, Captain Blye is seen outside the castle lighting the candles of the menorah with King Friday XIII and Edgar Cooke.
Appearing In This Episode
Locations
- Mister Rogers' House
- Frogg Pond
- The Oak Tree
- Castle (Calendarland)
Songs
- Misterogers' Invitation
- I Like You As You Are
- I Have a Little Dreidel [Goldfarb]
- Mi Yimalel [Traditional]
Memorable Quotes
- Mister Rogers: "Everybody's family is different. And that's good."
- Mister Rogers: "Any of you who are celebrating Hanukkah, we hope that you have a very blessed and happy one."
Images
Episode Credits
Created by Fred Rogers
Guest: Allan Blye
Music performed by Lou Snider
Assistant Puppeteer: Ernest Coombs
Settings designed by Robert Hackborn
Properties: Frank Peets
Lighting Direction: Clifford Jones
Audio: Ed Rickwood
Technical Producer: Bob McKinstry
Produced by Francis Chapman
This has been a CBC Television production
CBC Radio-Canada