Episode 0055

Air Date: May 3, 1968
Previous Episode: 0054
Next Episode: 0056
Purchase/Stream: Amazon

Mister Rogers arrives excited for the play -- King Friday, Goldilocks, Benjamin Franklin, and the Three Bears. With a piece of yarn and a sock, he makes a puppet which he uses as he sings Today is a Special Day.

In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Lady Aberlin is in costume ready for her role as Mama Bear. She visits Daniel Striped Tiger who is ready to play the part of Baby Bear. As they are practicing their bear growls, Handyman Negri passes by on his way to put on his Papa Bear costume.

Stopping by the tree on her way to the castle, Lady Aberlin sings Looking For a Friend. At the tree, she helps Henrietta Pussycat put on a hair bow before X the Owl proudly reveals his Benjamin Franklin costume.

Back with Mister Rogers, he organizes his kitchen chairs and uses a cardboard box to create a theater for his sock puppet which he calls "New Little Lady."

In the castle's Stage Room, the play gets underway following a kingly introduction by King Friday XIII. The Bear family introduces themselves while Benjamin Franklin stokes the fire in the stove. The porridge he has made is too hot, so the Bears leave their house while it cools. Goldilocks arrives singing Won't You Be My Neighbor and helps herself to the Bears' food, chairs, and beds. The Bears return to find Goldilocks sleeping in Baby Bear's bed. The tame Bears welcome Goldilocks into their home before they are all invited to join Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia. The play concludes with a few final words from King Friday.

Back at the house, Mister Rogers encourages viewers to make a play of their own and sings Then Your Heart is Full of Love.

Notes

The story of the Three Bears appears on the You Are Special CD -- although the story on the CD is the traditional version and does not include Benjamin Franklin.

Benjamin Franklin is responsible for inventing the Franklin stove -- hence, his role in the play involving work at the stove.

The Bears introduce themselves with a song...

I am the Papa/Mama/Baby Bear
I never like to scare
I always take good care
I am the Papa/Mama/Baby Bear

Appearing In This Episode

• Daniel Striped Tiger
• Handyman Negri
• Henrietta Pussycat
• King Friday XIII
• Lady Aberlin
• Mister Rogers
• X the Owl

Songs

• Looking For a Friend
• Then Your Heart is Full of Love
• Today is a Special Day
• Tomorrow
• Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Images

Episode Credits

Produced by WQED - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for National Educational Television
Neighbors: Betty Aberlin, Joe Negri
Producer: Fred Rogers
Director: David Fu-Ying Chen
Psychological Consultants: Margaret McFarland Ph.D., Albert V. Corrado M.D.
Lighting Director: Richard Weiss
Musical Director: Johnny Costa
Assistant Producer: Diana Dean
Technical Supervisor: Jerry Jones
Video: Ken Anderson
Videotape Editor: Tom Knight
Production Assistant: David Newell
Art Director: Joan Thomas
Set Decorator: Bill Law
Executive Producer: Paul K. Taff

Production funds for this series were provided by a grant from The Sears-Roebuck Foundation and a children's program fund established by N.E.T. affiliated stations.

© 1968 National Educational Television and Radio Center