Episode 1221
Air Date: March 27, 1972
Previous Episode: 1220
Next Episode: 1222
Mister Rogers has been invited to the McFeely house to celebrate Mrs. McFeely's birthday. He finds a small hand mirror in a drawer and wraps it as a gift.
At the McFeely house, Bill Hendry demonstrates who to signal by using Coast Guard flags. After spelling out a few words -- including "Happy Birthday" for Mrs. McFeely -- Mr. Hendry give the flags to her for her birthday. Mr. McFeely suggests that Mr. Hendry will return at a later time to give Mrs. McFeely flag waving lessons. Inside, Mrs. McFeely is delighted with the mirror she receives from Mister Rogers. Mr. McFeely shares a film about a time when he received a special "McFeely" flag from his parents.
In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Lady Elaine Fairchilde irritates Mr. McFeely and Dr. Bill Platypus when she uses a hand mirror to reflect light into their eyes. Seeking the attention of her neighbors, Lady Elaine paints a rock gold and claims to have discovered real gold under the wall of the Museum-Go-Round. King Friday arrives promptly but soon enough realizes that the rocks are painted. Lady Aberlin tries to help Lady Elaine recognize positive ways she can get the attention of her friends and neighbors.
Back at the house, Mister Rogers talks about Lady Elaine's actions before he sings The Clown in Me. He concludes for the day by drawing a simple mask on construction paper.
Notes
As he starts to look for something to take to Mrs. McFeely for her birthday, Mister Rogers puts gift giving in perspective: "Of course, we'll take ourselves. That's the most important part."
The Clown in Me plays in the background as Mister Rogers prepares to wrap Mrs. McFeely's gift. You Are Special plays as the episode transitions to the McFeely house.
As he sings The Clown In Me, Mister Rogers takes out a copy of the 1970 Mister Rogers' Songbook and appears to refer to it for the lyrics. He clearly has not forgotten the lyrics so was this possibly a subtle advertisement for his songbook?
Mister Rogers changes his routine up to this point and ends this episode with It's Such a Good FeelingandThe Weekend Songrather than his usual singing of Tomorrow: "Do you know what I feel like? I feel like singing something different before I leave today. Yeah, I've liked being with you and that's a good feeling."
Appearing In This Episode
- Dr. Bill Platypus
- King Friday XIII
- Lady Aberlin
- Lady Elaine Fairchilde
- Mister Rogers
- Mr. McFeely
- Mrs. McFeely
Guests
- William Hendry
Songs
Images
Episode Credits
With Fred Rogers
Neighbors: Betty Aberlin, W.P. Barker, William Hendry, Betsy Nadas, David Newell
Film: Joe Seamans
Music Director: John Costa
Directed by Bob Walsh
Produced by Family Communications, Inc. in association with WQED, Pittsburgh
The people who gave the money to make this television visit are the people of The Sears Roebuck Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
© 1971 Family Communications, Inc.