Misterogers (CBC, 12/24/1962)
Network: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Air Date: December 24, 1962
Mister Rogers opens the episode seated near the castle in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. He and X the Owl welcome viewers following a spoken version of Misterogers' Invitation. Mister Rogers exits, going one way as the camera goes the other, to begin the time in Make-Believe.
Henrietta Pussycat is dressed up and ready to visit the castle where King Friday will be sharing his list of gifts for his friends and neighbors. X mentions that he is hoping to receive the moon this year. An unfamiliar man, Joseph M. Legion, passes by the oak tree after Henrietta departs. Mr. Legion is looking for a place where he might go fishing. Although X does not have any suggestions for fishing, he does share a poem in his anticipation of King Friday's list:
I hope that I will be a winner
At tomorrow's Christmas dinner
He goes on to explain to Mr. Legion that King Friday offers Christmas gifts each year that the recipients are allowed to keep for the duration of the year to come.
Daniel Striped Tiger arrives at the tree and meets Mr. Legion who shares that he does not technically have a home. He simply travels from fishing spot to fishing spot. Daniel and X each offer him a place to stay in the clock or the tree, but Mr. Legion graciously declines.
At the castle, King Friday is dictating this year's list of gifts to Henrietta Pussycat. He begins with a declaration that he will give the universe to himself ("Yes, I had it last year. I take it every year."). The sun will be given to Miss Paulificate, the grass around the castle to Edgar Cooke, and the Northern Star to Daniel Striped Tiger.
As King Friday ponders of who will receive the moon, a sign is lowered into his line of sight by a fishing pole. The sign reads "The moon for X." The fishing pole, of course, is being operated by Mr. Legion who also asks King Friday for suggestions of any nearby fishing spots. When King Friday informs him that there are "no fishing facilities in this district," Mr. Legion is quite surprised. Clearly offended by this response, King Friday informs Edgar Cooke that the Neighborhood is in immediate need of such a place.
Edgar promptly appears with a bucket of water to be used for fishing. Mr. Legion drops his line and immediately catches a fish. Before leaving the castle, Mr. Legion asks King Friday once again to consider giving the moon to X the Owl.
Daniel arrives at the castle and mentions that he has seen fish at the "old fishing well behind the Eiffel Tower." He and King Friday address viewers with a holiday wish: "To all of our neighbors, we give you the hope of a glorious Christmas."
Mister Rogers' voice is heard as the episode concludes: "We're really very glad that you were able to come near. You've made this day a special day by just your being here."
Notes
There are no credits shown at the end of this episode other than "This has been a CBC Television production."
The part of Joe Legion is played by Norman Welsh.
As the episode transitions away from Mister Rogers, What Would You Like To Do Today plays in the background.
Last year, X received the Pacific Ocean from King Friday and Grandpere was given the moon. X is confident that Grandpere will not be disappointed if he does not receive the moon again because he is "pretty old, so he never stays up much to see it."
Miss Paulificate always receives the sun because "the sun is her clock. As long as it shines, she's supposed to work."
Appearing In This Episode
- Mister Rogers
- X the Owl
- Collette
- Henrietta Pussycat
- Joseph M. Legion
- Daniel Striped Tiger
- Edgar Cooke
Locations
- Oak Tree
- Castle (Calendarland)
Songs
Memorable Quotes
- Mr. Legion: "A wise old owl!"
X the Owl: "No, I'm a dumb young one but I can make up poetry!"
Images
Episode Credits
This has been a CBC Television production