Misterogers (CBC, 1/1/1964)
Network: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Air Date: January 1, 1964
Mister Rogers is visited by a French poodle named Fridgy who is wearing a "chapeau" (french for "hat").. Turning to the paino, Mister Rogers sings the numbers 1-10 in French.
In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Grandpere welcomes viewers by singing his own French version of the Why Hi Song. Joey Hollingsworth dances to the Eiffel Tower where he exchanges pleasantries with Grandpere before dancing on to Daniel's clock.
At the clock, Mr. Hollingsworth shares with Daniel Striped Tiger that he is not on a business trip today. Instead, he is in "first footin'" in Make-Believe. He goes on to explain that first footin' is an old Scottish custom in which people visit their best friends at the start of a new year and give them a little present so that they might "have good luck all through the year." Mr. Hollingsworth suggests that these can be small gifts of kindness but the important part is putting "your foot in[side] their door at the first of every year" -- hence, the term "first footin'."
Daniel offers viewers some ideas on how they might go first footin' and suggests that they take a smile with them. He goes on to sing A Smile's the Style while Mr. Hollingsworth dances. Before departing, Mr. Hollingsworth gives Daniel his gift -- a neighbor hood (a hood for a neighbor) -- which he places on Daniel's head.
At the oak tree, Mr. Hollingsworth gives neighbor hoods before moving on to the castle where King Friday XIII is offended that he was not the first recipient of a first footin' gift. Mr. Hollingsworth placates the king by explaining that his castle is technically in Calendarland -- a neighboring land to Make-Believe. As such, King Friday receives his own special gift -- a neighbor ring. Along with the ring, Mr. Hollingsworth offers King Friday a "free ride on the merry-go-round" which he provides by dancing in a circle near the castle.
Back at the house, Mister Rogers makes his own suggestions on how viewers might give first footin' presents to those they care about. He closes by singing Tomorrow with the final line slightly altered: "We'll say a very happy new year to you."
Notes
- Daniel mentions that Mister Rogers gave him the song A Smile's the Style as a gift fo rhis last birthday.
- Henrietta Pussycat is already familiar with first footin' because, as she mentions, she is Scottish.
- During the credits, Joey Hollingsworth continues dancing for King Friday as Tomorrow plays in the background.
Appearing In This Episode
- Mister Rogers
- Grandpere
- Joey Hollingsworth
- Daniel Striped Tiger
- Henrietta Pussycat
- X the Owl
- King Friday XIII
Locations
- Mister Rogers' House
- Eiffel Tower
- Oak Tree
- Castle
Songs
Images
Episode Credits
Created by Fred Rogers
Guest: Joey Hollinsworth
Music performed by Lou Snider
Assistant Puppeteer: Ernest Coombs
Settings designed by Robert Hackborn
Properties: Frank Peets
Lighting Direction: Clifford Jones
Audio: Mas Kikuta
Technical Producer: Vic Ferry
Produced by Francis Chapman
This has been a CBC Television production
CBC Radio-Canada