Episode 1535

Topic: Grandparents
Air Date: May 11, 1984
Previous Episode: 1534 - Grandparents
Next Episode: 1536 - Food
Purchase/Stream: Amazon

Mister Rogers does not change into his sweater and sneakers as usual. Instead, he sings a slightly different version of Won't You Be My Neighbor as he enters: "...a beautiful day for an opera. Would you like one? I know I'd like one..." He promptly introduces the newest Neighborhood opera: A Granddad for Daniel.

The opera opens as Grandparents' Day is underway and Daniel Mefford (played by Daniel Striped Tiger) talks with his parents about his grandfather. Daniel's father, Charles Mefford (Neighbor Aber), shows him a picture of his grandfather and reminds Daniel that his grandfather left long ago. Both Daniel's father and mother leave for the jungle -- Daniel's father, a professional polisher, on foot, and his mother (Lady Aberlin), a trolley conductor, with a few passengers on her trolley. Along with Daniel, Mrs. Mefford's passengers include a straw salesman who has traveled the world.

The trolley's first stop is at an aquarium where the salesman (Reardon) watches the fish (Bob Dog, Chef Brockett, Miss Paulificate) swim and meets a star fish (Betty Okonak Templeton).

Stopping next at the police station, the officer on duty (Officer Clemmons) takes a straw from the salesman and is reminded of a touching song his grandfather once sang. Daniel becomes somewhat emotional wondering if his own grandfather ever thinks of him. After the trolley passengers have departed, the officer notices a striking resemblance between the salesman and a picture on a missing-persons poster.

The final stop for the trolley is in the jungle where Daniel's father is hard at work. As everyone is introduced, the starfish mentions that she and the salesman have decided to get married -- she will be the new Mrs. Mefford. It is then that everyone realizes that the salesman has the same last name as Daniel's family -- he is Daniel's granddad! Together in celebration, the Meffords take a trolley ride around the world.

Back at the house, Mister Rogers talks about how grandparents are a part of you, even when they are not around. He closes by singing a small portion of the song sung by Officer Clemmons during the opera.

Notes

The patch on Mrs. Mefford's sleeve shows that she works for "BKA Transit." One can only assume that this stands for Betty K. Aberlin.

The fish costume worn by Chef Brockett is the same one worn by Lady Aberlin in Episode 1740.

This episode is featured on the Musical Stories VHS release.

On February 28, 2018 -- in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood -- this episode aired along with Episode 310 of Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.

Appearing In This Episode

• Betty Okonak Templeton
• Bob Dog
• Chef Brockett
• Daniel Striped Tiger
• Francois Clemmons
• Lady Aberlin
• Miss Paulificate
• Mister Rogers
• Neighbor Aber
• Old Goat
• Reardon

Songs

• When the Day Turns Into Night
• Won't You Be My Neighbor?
• Various operatic songs

Images

Episode Credits

With Fred Rogers
Neighbors: Chuck Aber, Betty Aberlin, Don Brockett, Francois Clemmons, Michael Horton, John Reardon, Audrey Roth, Bob Trow
Special Thanks to New Group Theater Company, Pittsburgh Plate Glass
Executive Producer: Fred Rogers
Producer: Sam Newbury
Director: Paul Lally
Associate Producer: Margaret Whitmer
Music Director: John Costa
Art Director: Jack Guest
Editor: Michael Colonna
Properties: Alexis Samulski
Costume Designer: Barbara Anderson
Production Assistants: Briget Aigner, Casey Brown, Marilyn Bushey, Lenny Meledandri
Specialty Puppets: Linda Zimmer
Choreographer: Judith Conte
Lead Technician: Ken Anderson
Studio Supervisor: Doug Coates
Production Coordinator: John Cosgrove
Assistant Director: Rich Dwyer
Technical Director: Jim Ochtun
Lighting Director: Frank Warninsky
Video: Tom Deluga
Studio Cameras: Don McCall, Bob Vaughn, Art Vogel
Audio: Jim Durham
Videotape: Kevin Conrad
Floor Manager: Nick Tallo
Assistant Floor Manager: Jim Seech
Assistant Lighting Director: Kate Kearney
Location Production: Chris Dahl, Gary DeBenedetto, Dan Gebrosky, Mark Knobil, Mike Kobik, Fred Roth, Joe Seamans, John Sutton
Carpenters: Patsy Gianella, Rich Karapandi
Head Scenic Artist: Cathy Corton
Scenic Artists: Phil DeLucia, Crispin Gray, Frika Gray, Liz Hutchings, Smith Hutchings, Gary Kosko, Dave Teig
Make-Up: Margaret McCubbin
Musicians: Carl McVicker, Bob Rawsthorne
Videotape Editor: Kevin Conrad
Videotape Sound: Bob Millslagle
Consultants: Albert V. Corrado M.D., Margaret B. McFarland Ph.D.
"A Grandad for Daniel" - Composer: Fred Rogers, Arranger: John Costa

Produced in association with WQED/Pittsburgh
A production of Family Communications
© 1984 Family Communications, Inc.