Episode 1168
Air Date: April 7, 1971
Previous Episode: 1167
Next Episode: 1169
Mister Rogers arrives with a collection of pictures showing Reardon in costumes for roles he has played in various operas. He mentions that Reardon will be stopping by later. Demonstrating a pitch pipe, Mister Rogers encourages viewers to sing the various notes he plays.
Mr. McFeely stops by with his new bicycle horn and a mallard duck named Martin. Martin is on loan from the Neighborhood zoo. Mister Rogers and Mr. McFeely offer Martin some food and water before Reardon arrives.
Upon his arrival, Reardon has a collection of photographs, as well -- an album full of pictures showing himself as a young boy. They look again as the photos from the operas and Reardon sings short portions of songs from each performance.
In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Reardon is working with the neighbors in preparation for the upcoming opera -- Daniel Striped Tiger in his role as a duck, Chef Brockett as a monkey, and Lady Aberlin playing a zookeeper. They try on their costumes and practice their singing.
Back at the house, Reardon sings It's You I Like before Mr. McFeely returns with a film about monkeys that Mister Rogers plans to watch another time.
Notes
The duck is somewhat uncooperative when Mr. McFeely attempts to pick it up and "squeezes it a little too tightly."
The pictures of Reardon include characters from the following operas: Romeo & Juliet, The Marriage of Figaro, Papageno, The Barber of Seville, The Queen of Spades, and Carmen.
You're a Fine Duck plays in the background as Mr. McFeely shows Mister Rogers the mallard. When Reardon shares the pictures from his childhood, You're Growing plays.
Appearing In This Episode
Songs
- I Like the Animals
- I Take Care of the Animals
- It's You I Like
- Tomorrow
- What Is the Matter?
- Won't You Be My Neighbor?
- You're a Fine Duck
- You're a Fine Horse
Images
Episode Credits
Produced by WQED Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in association with Small World Enterprises Inc. for N.E.T.
Created and written by Fred Rogers
Produced and directed by Sam Silberman
Music Director: John Costa
Neighbors: Betty Aberlin, Don Brockett, David Newell (uncredited), John Reardon
Production funds for this television visit were provided by a grant from the Sears Roebuck Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
© 1971 National Educational Television and Radio Center