Episode 1599
Topic: Secrets
Air Date: November 24, 1988
Previous Episode: 1598 - Secrets
Next Episode: 1600 - Secrets
Purchase/Stream: Amazon
Mister Rogers arrives without anything to show, but begins by demonstrating how he can play the piano with his eyes closed. He then goes to the kitchen and tries to draw a picture with his eyes closed but it doesn’t turn out how he was thinking.
Mister Rogers takes viewers along to visit Crist Delmonico, a blind artist who explains that, though he cannot actually see his artwork, he can visualize it in his mind. Mister Rogers picks several colors and “stencil” stickers for Mr. Delmonico to use as they finish what Mr. Delmonico calls “a burst of joy.”After viewing several slides showing some of Mr. Delmonico's other works, Mister Rogers is given the piece that they completed together.
Returning to the house, Mister Rogers mentions the thank you notes that he promised to send to Allen Dwight and Mr. McFeely and creates a "thank you tape" to send to Mr. Delmonico: “Dear Crist, Thank you very much for allowing my television neighbors and me to come to your studio, and thank you too for the beautiful drawing you gave me. You are a fine artist and a wonderful person. Thank you again, Your friend, Fred.”
In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Miss Paulificate and Lady Elaine are waiting for King Friday to announce his secret. Lady Elaine complains that his announcements are always very boring and that he just wants to hear himself talk. King Friday emerges and asks for a fanfare and sky-scroll, a twirling scroll that descends into Miss Paulificate’s hand. King Friday proceeds to read the sky scroll: “Queen Ida is coming to visit the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.” Lady Elaine is very excited to meet the fabulous accordion player.
Queen Ida arrives and plays I'm Proud of You as Miss Paulificate and X the Owl dance. Called by Lady Elaine, Neighbor Aber rushes to the castle very concerned about an “emergency.” Surprised at seeing Queen Ida, he comments that he’s loved her all his life, prompting a scolding from Lady Elaine. Neighbor Aber sings along as Ida plays a very exotic rendition of Sometimes Isn’t Always.
Lady Elaine retrieves the balloon ring and asks if “Charles” thinks it’s time to make it public. Since he still doesn’t know what it is, he lets Lady Elaine make the announcement: “Charles R. Aber, in giving me this ring, has shown his honorable intention, and, at the next full moon, you are all invited to our wedding!” Neighbor Aber is clearly shocked.
Back at the house, Mister Rogers explains that if there is a secret that makes you feel bad, you shouldn’t keep it – that’s telling the truth. He concludes by singing The Truth Will Make Me Free.
Notes
More info about Crist Delmonico can be found at CristDelmonico.com.
Mister Rogers dials the wrong number when trying to contact Crist Delmonico.
The child in Mister Rogers comes out in this episode when he points out that the white hand-like shape in this painting looks like a chicken.
More info on ‘Queen’ Ida Guillory can be found here.
In this episode we see X flying through the air and landing on Miss Paulificate’s hand
According to King Friday, he met Queen Ida in "King and Queen school."
Appearing In This Episode
Guests
- Crist Delmonico
- Ida Guillory
Songs
- I’m Proud of You
- It’s Such a Good Feeling
- Sometimes Isn’t Always
- The Truth Will Make Me Free
- The Weekend Song
- Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Images
Episode Credits
With Fred Rogers
Neighbors: Chuck Aber, Crist Delmonico, Ida Guillory, Audrey Roth
Special thanks to Carnegie Mellon
Executive Producer: Fred Rogers
Producer: Margaret A. Whitmer
Director: Paul Lally
Associate Producer: Adrienne J. Wehr
Music Director: John Costa
Produced in association with WQED/Pittsburgh
A production of Family Communications
©1988 Family Communications, Inc.