Episode 1550

Topic: Music
Air Date: May 17, 1985
Previous Episode: 1549 - Music
Next Episode: 1551 - Families
Purchase/Stream: Amazon

Mister Rogers arrives with a flexitone which he has borrowed from his friend, Tom O'Horgan, who has a large collection of musical instruments. Before visiting Mr. O'Horgan, he sings Let's Think of Something to Do.

At Mr. O'Horgan's apartment, Mister Rogers sees a variety of instruments ranging from Aboriginal rhythm sticks to a collection of large gongs. Mr. O'Horgan talks about his interest in music before showing even more unique instruments.

In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, the Trolley carries a bass violin as it travels through on the alternate set of tracks. Lady Aberlin and Handyman Negri are surprised to find that the bass violin festival is being held in Westwood and not in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. As they arrive in Westwood, the festival is just underway with Betty Okonak Templeton singing her Bass Violet song. King Friday officially opens the festival with a bass violin solo. His performance is followed by Old Goat reciting a poem as Lady Elaine plays the accordian. Next is a dance number by Lady Aberlin and Miss Paulificate accompanied by the guitar music of Handyman Negri. Lastly, Keith David and James Michael Jones perform a puppet show using their bass violin puppets before the festival concludes with everyone singing Won't You Be My Neighbor.

Back at the house, Mister Rogers plays the piano as he talks about how he uses music to express his feelings.

Notes

The parts of the royal fanfare players are portrayed by Kate English, Melanye Finister, and Ming-Na Wen.

As part of Keith David and James Michael Jones' puppet show, the bass violin characters sing a Bass Violin song with is set to the tune of Tree Tree Tree.

This episode is one of two featured on A Day at the Circus. It is also the episode featured on the VHS release Song and Dance.

Segments from this week's episodes are featured on the VHS release Music and Feelings.

This episode is included on the It's a Beautiful Day Collection (DVD).

Appearing In This Episode

• Betty Okonak Templeton Jones
• Daniel Striped Tiger
• Handyman Negri
• James Michael Jones
• Keith David
• King Friday XIII
• Lady Aberlin
• Lady Elaine Fairchilde
• Mayor Maggie
• Miss Paulificate
• Mister Rogers
• Neighbor Aber
• Old Goat

Guests

• Tom O'Horgan

Songs

• Bass Violet
• It's Such a Good Feeling
• Let's Think of Something to Do
• The Weekend Song
• Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Images

Episode Credits

With Fred Rogers
Neighbors: Chuck Aber, Betty Aberlin, Keith David, Kate English, Melanye Finister, Michael Horton, Joe Negri, Tom O'Horgan, Audrey Roth, Maggie Stewart, Ming-Na Wen
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 Design: Barbara Anderson
Choreographer: Judy Conte
Production Assistants: Lenny Meledandri, Holly Wagner
Interns: Tracy Ingle, Leslie Schopper
Lead Technician: Ken Anderson
Studio Supervisor: Doug Coates
Production Coordinator: Mark Smukler
Assistant Director: Rich Dwyer
Technical Director: Jim Ochtun
Lighting Director: Frank Warninsky
Video: Tom Deluga
Studio Cameras: Don McCall, Bob Vaughn, Art Vogel
Audio: Jerry Cobbs, Dick LaSota
Videotape: Mike Laver
Assistant Floor Manager: Jim Seech
Assistant Lighting Directors: Kate Kearney, Bob Lobomski
Location Production: Paul Brown, John Burdick, John Fitzpatrick, Dan Gebrosky, Roger Haydock, Jerry Hughes, Mark Knobil, Joe Seamans, Chad Stockdale, Enrique Williams
Location Equipment: Hughes Television Productions, Inc.
Carpenters: Patsy Gianella, Rich Karapandi
Scenic Artists: Julie Blair, Crispin Gray, Smith Hutchings, Diane Melchitzky, Laurel Polanick, LaRue Solomon, Karin Wagner
Musicians: Carl McVicker, Bob Rawsthorne
Videotape Editor: Paul Byers
Videotape Sound: Bob Millslagle
Consultants: Albert V. Corrado M.D., Margaret B. McFarland Ph.D.

Produced in association with WQED/Pittsburgh
A production of Family Communications
© 1985 Family Communications, Inc.