THE NEIGHBORHOOD ARCHIVE - All Things Mister Rogers

Episode 1473

Topic: Mister Rogers Makes an Opera (Windstorm in Bubbleland)
Air Date: May 21, 1980
Previous Episode: 1472 - Mister Rogers Makes an Opera (Windstorm in Bubbleland)
Next Episode: 1474 - Mister Rogers Makes an Opera (Windstorm in Bubbleland)
Purchase/Stream: Amazon

Mister Rogers arrives with a hummingbird mask and a porpoise mask -- both of which he tries on. Just as he is explaining that a person wearing a mask is still the same person inside, Francois Clemmons knocks on the door. Mister Rogers invites Mr. Clemmons to try on the porpoise mask before Mr. Clemmons sings a song.

At Brockett's Bakery, bananas are the special. Chef Brockett shares several banana treats with Mister Rogers before taking him to the back to make a few more. Taking a treat with him as he leaves, Mister Rogers places it in the refrigerator upon his return to the house.

In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Lady Aberlin and Reardon are putting together costume ideas for the upcoming opera. Visiting the school at Someplace Else, Reardon and Lady Aberlin talk to the children about previous operas performed in the Neighborhood.

Back at the house, Mister Rogers talks about costumes and shows how to fold a handkerchief to look like bunny ears.

Notes

While commonly referred to as the "Bubbleland" episodes, this week's series is actually titled "Mister Rogers Makes an Opera."

In what is one of the last (if not the last) references to Francois Clemmons' studio, he graciously declines Mister Rogers' invitation to go to the bakery stating that he has a voice student coming to "[his] place" in just a few minutes. As they walk past the music studio, Francois Clemmons opens the door to the studio and begins to enter.

There's Never Any Trouble Here In Bubbleland (v1) plays in background during the transition back to Mister Rogers house from the bakery.

At the school, a careful eye will notice that rather than Daniel having the black tiger pencil box and Ana having the yellow parrot pencil box (as they do when the start school in Episode 1464), Daniel has the parrot pencil box on his desk and Ana has the tiger pencil box on her desk. In Episode 1464, the back of the pencil boxes are clearly labeled with the students names.

The song performed by Francois Clemmons -- "There's a Boat That's Leaving Soon For New York" -- comes from the opera Porgy and Bess. It is also sung by Francois Clemmons in Episode 1454.

Reardon and Lady Aberlin remember previous operas including Key to Otherland, The Uncle of the Monkey, and Potato Bugs and Cows.

This episode is included on the DVD Kindness Collection.

Appearing In This Episode

Songs

Images

Episode Credits

Neighbors: Betty Aberlin, Don Brockett, Jose Cisneros, Francois Clemmons, Fred Michael, Carole Muller, John Reardon, Bob Trow
Executive Producer: Fred Rogers
Produced and Directed by Hugh Martin
Associate Producer: Cathy L. Cohen
Music Director: John Costa

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