Episode 1041
Air Date: April 7, 1969
Previous Episode: 1040
Next Episode: 1042
Mister Rogers arrives with a basket full of items which he uses to play a game where the items are matched with their appropriate cases and containers. The items include such things as a ukulele, a book, a brush, and a bowling ball.
Lady Aberlin stops by to tell Mister Rogers that singer (and her "pretend aunt") Mabel Mercer will be visiting the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Lady Aberlin has been drawing a picture of Ms. Mercer.
In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Handyman Negri plays his guitar for King Friday and Queen Sara as they wait for Ms. Mercer. When Dr. Bill and Elsie Jean Platypus arrive, Dr. Bill starts to play his bagpipes but is promptly ordered by King Friday to stop.
Lady Aberlin arrives at the castle's S Room with a costume changer given to her by her Aunt Mabel. It works by simply placing a block inside a small box. When Lady Aberlin tries the costume changer, her dress is immediately changed.
Everyone welcomes Ms. Mercer to the castle and is introduced to those waiting. After she sings Children Can and Just For Once, Ms. Mercer is joined by the others as they sing I'm Taking Care of You. King Friday proudly declares today to be "Mabel Mercer Day" in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.
Back at the house, Mister Rogers recaps a wonderful day in Make-Believe as he cleans up the items in the kitchen.
Notes
Although he does not appear on camera, Buddy Barnes is noted in the credits for this episode. Mr. Barnes was Ms. Mercer's accompanist and musical director.
The footage of Mabel Mercer was later used in Episode 1063 and Episode 1121.
David Newell is credited in this episode but does not physically appear on camera.
The costume changer box and block are not a perfect square and on Lady Aberlin's first attempt to put the two together, they are not line-up properly and need to be turned. This creates a slightly awkward moment that is clearly not part of the script.
Appearing In This Episode
- Dr. Bill Platypus
- Elsie Jean Platypus
- Handyman Negri
- King Friday XIII
- Lady Aberlin
- Mister Rogers
- Queen Sara Saturday
Guests
- Buddy Barnes
- Mabel Mercer
Songs
Images
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
Musical Director: Johnny Costa
Neighbors: Betty Aberlin, W.P. Barker, Buddy Barnes, Mabel Mercer, Joe Negri, David Newell
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.
© 1969 National Educational Television and Radio Center