THE NEIGHBORHOOD ARCHIVE - All Things Mister Rogers

Episode 1765

Topic: Mister Rogers Celebrates the Arts
Air Date: August 31, 2001
Previous Episode: 1764 - Mister Rogers Celebrates the Arts
Next Episode: N/A
Purchase/Stream: Amazon

Mister Rogers arrives with various drawings of the Trolley made by some young Neighbors. Sharing the drawings, he notices the differences between each artist's work -- even though they were all drawing the same thing. After he talks about sharing creations with other people you care about, Mister Rogers thinks of many people showing love in different ways.

Mr. McFeely arrives with a video compilation of different types of artists which he and Mister Rogers share on Picture-Picture.

In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, the arts festival is ready to begin as Betty Okonak Templeton is looking for Lady Elaine. At Corney's factore, Mayor Maggie is wearing a smock and cap she has made for the festival. She compliments Corney on his contribution to the festival -- an artistic rocking chair that rocks itself.

At the castle, King Friday is dressed up in a special robe for the festival. Neighbor Aber is about to demonstrate his festival contribution when Betty Templeton arrives having found Lady Elaine. Promptly, Lady Elaine arrives at the castle with her own masterpiece -- a portrait of most everyone in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. As judge of the festival, she awards first prize to all of the festival's entries including Neighbor Aber's contribution -- a Trolley attached to a parachute.

Back at the house, Mister Rogers concludes by singing I'm Proud of You.

Notes

The video shared by Mr. McFeely features various artists including Manuel Barrueco playing guitar (from Episode 1757) , Wynton Marsalis playing with the Neighborhood musicians at Negri's Music Shop (from Episode 1563), Jaibin Pan and Ying Li dancing (from Episode 1758), and Hilary Hahn playing the violin (from Episode 1755).

It is suggested by David Newell in the documentary Speedy Delivery that the handshake shared between Mister Rogers and Mr. McFeely was a subtle sign of their mutual appreciation for one another and somewhat of a symbol of the program's end: "That little handshake is there...That handshake's for me. It was saying a lot to Fred in that handshake. Thanks you and it's just been wonderful knowing that man for 35 years."

It is often believed that the handshake shared between Mister Rogers and Mr. McFeely was the only such occurrence throughout the entire run of Neighborhood programs; however, the opening of Christmastime with Mister Rogers is one example of the contrary.

Although this is the final program produced after over three decades of Neighborhood visits, Mister Rogers never eludes to this fact at any point in this episode.

As first prize is being awarded to the contest entries by Lady Elaine Fairchilde, Neighbor Aber asks about the sand sculpture. In the background, a close listener will notice a short bit of the Swan Song played. This song was featured in the opera The Key to Otherland which was set on a beach.

This episode is included on the It's a Beautiful Day Collection (DVD).

Appearing In This Episode

Songs

Images

Episode Credits

With Fred Rogers
Neighbors: Chuck Aber, Michael Horton, David Newell, Maggie Stewart
Executive Producer: Fred Rogers
Producer: Margaret Whitmer
Director: Robert Walsh
Editor: Susan Howard
Associate Producer: Michael Johnson
Location Production: Bob Chamberlain, Mark Knobil, Ed Letteri, Dave Meek
Music Director: Johnny Costa, Michael Moricz
Production Designer: Kathryn Borland
Art Director: Catherine McConnell
Properties/Special Effects: Jim Bruwelheide
Production Assistants: Diane Highberger, Lenny Meledandri
Production Intern: Heather Troyer
Lead Technician: Tom Deluga
Assistant Director: Chelle Robinson
Technical Director: Jim Ochtun
Video: Don Williamson
Audio: Dick LaSota
Videotape: Bill Moore
Studio Cameras: Dave Foreman, Don McCall, Art Vogel
Lighting Director: Frank Warninsky
Floor Managers: Joe Abeln, Jim Seech, Nick Tallo
Scenic Artists: Leah Blackwood, Barbie Pastorik, Gregg Puchalski, Sandra Strieff
Make-Up: Dianne Ulan
Musicians: Carl McVicker, Bob Rawsthorne
Videotape Editor: Kevin Conrad
Post Production Audio: Dave Foreman
Original Scenic Design: Jack Guest
Director of Production: Sam Newbury

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