Episode 1350
Air Date: March 22, 1974
Previous Episode: 1349
Next Episode: 1351
Today is the day for the marionette play at Brown's theater and Mister Rogers arrives with a poster showing details for the performance of The Elves, the Shoemaker, and the Shoemaker's Wife. He points out each of the characters on the poster to remind viewers of each of their names.
Mister Rogers arrives at Brown's Marionette Theater just in time for the performance to begin.
The play opens with the shoemaker and his wife talking about his business which is struggling due to the fact that the shoemaker often gives shoes away to people in his community. A young boy named Hans stops by the shop to warm his bare feet and the generous shoemaker provides him with a pair of shoes. The shoemaker sings I Am the Shoemaker before heading off to bed.
While the shoemaker and his wife sleep, two elves -- Nip and Tuck -- appear in the shop and decide to reward the shoemaker for his kindness. Taking the last piece of leather in the shop, the elves make beautiful new shoes. They sing as they work: "Leather together. We'll make their shoes. Leather together. Two by two."
The next morning, the shoemaker and his wife are surprised to find the shoes just as they are visited by a customer -- Baroness Bronswager. The Baroness purchases all of the new shoes providing the shoemaker and his wife with money to purchase more supplies.
Pretending to go to bed, the shoemaker and his wife hide around the corner and watch as the elves return to make more shoes. The next night, the shoemaker and his wife leave clothes for the elves to express their gratitude.
Concluding the performance, the king stops by the shop to bestow upon the shoemaker and his wife the title of "royal shoemakers." The elves see that the shoemaker is now back on his feet and move on to help someone else.
After the performance, Mister Rogers returns to his house where he sings I'm Proud of You before making a pair of slippers from construction paper and masking tape.
Notes
Chrissy and Terri Thompson are with their mother in the audience for the marionette performance.
The story was also performed as a play on Sunday on the Children's Corner. It was also published in book form.
Appearing In This Episode
Songs
- I Am the Shoemaker
- I'm Proud of You
- I'm the Wife of the Shoemaker Man
- It's Such a Good Feeling
- The Weekend Song
- Won't You Be My Neighbor?
Images
Episode Credits
With Fred Rogers
Neighbors: Johnny Costa, Chrissy Thompson (uncredited), Judy Thompson (uncredited), Terri Thompson (uncredited) , and the Bob Brown Marionette Company with Bob and Judy Brown, Bob Payne, Dallas Teat
Marionettes by Bob Brown and Michael Haimsohn
Directed by Bill Moates
Music Director: John Costa
Bass: Michael Taylor
Percussion: Robert Rawsthorne
Written by Fred Rogers
Psychological Consultants: Margaret B. McFarland Ph.D., Albert V. Corrado M.D.
Film Producer: Laura Perkins
Associate Producers: David Newell, Nan Wheelock
Assistant Producer and Associate Director: Azriel Gamliel
Assistant to the Director: Norma Franklin
Art Director: Jack Guest
Assistant Art Director: David M. Smith
Propmaster: Roy Backes
Lighting Director: Gregory King
Floor Manager: Nick Tallo
Assistant Floor Manager: James Seech
Technical Supervisors: Tom Knight, Ken Anderson
Video Tape Editor: Chet Bednar
Cameramen: Bob Vaughn, David Anthony, Don McCall
Video: Don Williamson
Audio: Dick LaSota
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
© 1974, 1975 Family Communications