Episode 1055
Air Date: April 25, 1969
Previous Episode: 1054
Next Episode: 1056
Mister Rogers arrives with a small teddy bear and mentions Daniel's upcoming role as a teddy bear in the opera. Hiding the teddy bear behind some blocks set up from the previous day, Mister Rogers demonstrates the difference between lost and found.
After being passed throughout the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, an invitation to the opera is delivered to Mister Rogers by the Trolley.
The opera begins with the teddy bear (Daniel Striped Tiger) dancing and singing with his owner -- a young lady (Lady Aberlin) -- when suddenly the bear goes missing. Together with a policeman (Officer Clemmons), the young lady searches for her lost teddy bear and determines that the bear has gone out to sea. The ocean waves (Trolley) deliver a telescope which the young lady uses to continue her search.
Upon the arrival of the whaling captain (Reardon), the young lady asks for permission to set sail with him in search of her lost teddy bear. Traveling together, they find themselves in France and then at a castle where they speak with a king and queen (King Friday and Queen Sara). Unfortunately, no one has seen the missing bear.
Setting sail once again, they spot a whale (Robert Troll) which promptly escapes. After no luck at an African factory, they hitch up the boat at a nearby tree where Benjamin Franklin (X the Owl) and his mother (Henrietta Pussycat) can only offer the suggestion to try visiting Scotland. As the young lady and the whaling captain depart, Benjamin Franklin and his mother warn them to watch out for the Loch Ness Monster.
Nearing Scotland, they encounter the Loch Ness Monster (Elsie Jean Platypus) who assures them that she is harmless. Nessie and the whale play together as the bagpipe player (Dr. Bill Platypus) plays.
With much excitement, the policeman brings news that the teddy bear has been found back at the home port where he has not been missing after all -- he has been taking a nap under his couch. Pleased to be back with her teddy bear, the young lady finds herself breath-taken as the whaling captain expresses his love for her. They agree to marry and the policeman departs to prepare the wedding.
Back at the house, Mister Rogers puts away the blocks as he encourages viewers to make up an opera of their own.
Notes
Mister Rogers' admission cost to the opera is 13 hand claps.
King Friday interjects his own song into the opera -- a song about the king being a wonderful person.
Appearing In This Episode
- Cornflake S. Pecially
- Daniel Striped Tiger
- Dr. Bill Platypus
- Elsie Jean Platypus
- Henrietta Pussycat
- King Friday XIII
- Lady Aberlin
- Mister Rogers
- Officer Clemmons
- Queen Sara Saturday
- Reardon
- Robert Troll
- X the Owl
Songs
Images
Episode Credits
Produced by WQED Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in association with Small World Enterprises, Inc. for N.E.T.
Created and produced by Fred Rogers
Directed by David Fu-Ying Chen
Music Director: Johnny Costa
Neighbors: Betty Aberlin, W.P. Barker, Francois Clemmons, John Reardon, Bob Trow
Psychological Consultants: Margaret McFarland Ph.D., Albert V. Corrado M.D.
Assistant Producer: Hedda Sharapan
Lighting Director: Art Siegel
Art Director: Wayne Gallagher
Production Assistant: David Newell
Technical Supervisors: Tom Knight, Ken Anderson
Video Tape Editor: Chet Bednar
Cameramen: Bob Vaughn, Dick Reschoff
Executive Producer: Paul K. Taff
Production funds for this television visit were provided by a grant from the Sears Roebuck Foundation and a children's program fund established by N.E.T. affiliated stations.
© 1969 National Educational Television and Radio Center