Episode 0110
Air Date: July 19, 1968
Previous Episode: 0109
Next Episode: 0111
Having completed the basket he was making, Mister Rogers arrives ready to celebrate Mr. McFeely's birthday. After talking about surprises, Mister Rogers sings Today is a Special Day.
Chef Brockett arrives with a birthday cake which he and Mister Rogers decorate with gumdrops.
In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Handyman Negri shares a Speedy Delivery pennant with Lady Aberlin. This gift was made for Mr. McFeely by Sara Saturday with the materials being purchased by King Friday. Lady Aberlin and Handyman Negri are asked to deliver the gift to Mr. McFeely as representatives of the kingdom.
Back at the house, Mister Rogers and Chef Brockett are making final arrangements for the party as Mr. McFeely arrives. Presenting him with the cake, Mister Rogers and Chef Brockett sing Today is a Special Day before the other guests begin to arrive. Lady Aberlin delivers the glass made by Daniel Striped Tiger and gives Mr. McFeely a gift of her own -- a kiss on the cheek. Handyman Negri arrives with the chair for Mr. McFeely's bicycle, the pennant from King Friday and Sara Saturday, and his own gift of song -- Today is a Special Day played on his guitar. Last but not least, Miss Emilie arrives with a birthday poem for Mr. McFeely.
After the party guests and a grateful Mr. McFeely depart, Mister Rogers sings I'm Taking Care of You.
Notes
Although this episode celebrating Mr. McFeely's birthday originally aired on July 19th, David Newell's actual birthday is November 24th.
Miss Emilie's poem for Mr. McFeely:
He's always in a hurry, he never seems to stay
Much longer than his errand takes and then to say "Good day"
He pops into Mister Rogers' house and then pops out again
I think he has too much to do
Although he's very plain, he must enjoy his hurried life
Though once that I recall, e really stayed a little while
And paid a friendly call, he brought along a charming toy and sat down to explain
Exactly how to work a very wonderful small crane
He has lots and lots and lots of friends who've come to wish him well
He's extremely popular as anyone can tell
It's awfully nice to be well liked and to deserve it too
It makes for happiness all around for him and me and you
You all know whom I mean of course because he's our good friend
So here we go, together now, let all our voices blend
In accents loud and clear and strong, anything but squealy
Happy happy birthday to our own dear Mr. McFeely
Appearing In This Episode
- Chef Brockett
- Handyman Negri
- King Friday XIII
- Lady Aberlin
- Miss Emilie
- Mister Rogers
- Mr. McFeely
- Sara Saturday
Songs
Images
Episode Credits
Produced by WQED - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for National Educational Television
Neighbors: Betty Aberlin, Don Brockett, Emilie Jacobson, Joe Negri, David Newell
Musical Director: Johnny Costa
Producer: Fred Rogers
Director: David Fu-Ying Chen
Psychological Consultants: Margaret McFarland Ph.D., Albert V. Corrado M.D.
Lighting Director: Richard Weiss
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