Christmastime with Mister Rogers

Date: December 1977

Mister Rogers greets several of his neighbors as he walks through his Neighborhood on the way to the television house. Mr. McFeely gives him a box with instructions not to open it until he has reached the house and changed his sweater. Waiting to do so, Mister Rogers finds a new pair of sneakers -- just what he needed -- and a Christmas card from the McFeelys.

Thankful for the gift from his friends, Mister Rogers talks about his Christmas wish for viewers: "I've been thinking about what I'd like to give you for Christmas. I'd really like to give you something that just fits your own wishes and needs the way these shoes just fit me. I suppose the thing I'd like most to be able to give you is hope. Hope that through your own doing and your own living with others, you'll be able to find what best fits for you in this life. But this hour of television is something I can give you. And we all hope you'll feel very welcome."

After three young carolers sings We Wish You a Merry Christmas outside Mister Rogers' window, he receives a phone call from Mrs. McFeely letting him know that Mr. McFeely will be stopping by. As he waits, Mister Rogers remembers many special people who have visited his Neighborhood over the years. Mr. McFeely stops by on his way to the rehearsal for the holiday get-together. He mentions that Stephanie, a young girl in the Neighborhood who will be performing, is quite disappointed that her family may miss the get-together due to car trouble.

Mister Rogers goes with Mr. McFeely to the rehearsal where Stephanie shares her disappointment with Mister Rogers. Francois Clemmons details a recent dream where the members of his traveling choir all lost their voices. In the dream, the choir experiences trouble with their bus as they travel and are helped by the Music Man -- a magical musician who sings Rise Up Shepherds and Follow as Francois Clemmons works on the broken bus. Francois Clemmons is surprised to find that the Music Man is able to provide the children with the ability to play music without any instruments. As they play, Mr. Clemmons sings Silent Night.

Stephanie joins Mister Rogers as he returns to his house where they talk about how hard it is to wait for things you are looking forward to. Mrs. Hamilton stops by to borrow some eggs but Mister Rogers does not have enough. After a quick call to Chef Brockett, Mrs. Hamilton is gone as quickly as she has arrived. Stephanie makes up a story about the Music Man helping Mrs. Hamilton find some eggs for her cake after her stubborn hens give her none.

Mister Rogers opens a gift from a friend -- a small banner that says "Merry Christmas" on one side and "Happy Chanukah" on the other. Taking out a dreidel, Mister Rogers spends some time talking about Chanukah as he plays and sings the Dreidel Song.

In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, presents are not to be opened until King Friday gives his permission. Lady Elaine shares with Handyman Negri that she is upset that she has received only one present. When Mr. McFeely arrives with several packages to deliver, Lady Aberlin and Handyman Negri offer to help him as Lady Elaine is left with her frustrations. As the presents are delivered, Lady Elaine finds that the others in the Neighborhood have received many more presents than she has. To show her feelings at being slighted, she turns everything in the Neighborhood upside down -- everything except the Music Man who is able to use his magic stick to keep himself right side up. Everything returns to normal when the Music Man gives Lady Elaine an ice skating experience -- a gift that does not need to be wrapped.

When King Friday gives the word, presents are allowed to be opened throughout the Neighborhood -- the first being a Christmas decoration for Lady Elaine put together in parts by all of her neighbors.

Back at the house, Mister Rogers talks about different families traditions -- Christmas, Chanukah, and those who celebrate neither. He suggests that all presents are a sign of love.

Stephanie makes up another story about the Music Man who finds himself in a remote village where a young boy is missing. With the boy's father and sister, the Music Man searches the open land. Climbing to the highest point they can find, they sing My Sheep Were Grazing which is heard by the lost boy. Following the sound of their voices, the boy finds his way home.

At the get-together, everyone sings Joy to the World as Stephanie prepares for her performance. She is overjoyed when Stanley Clay arrives with her family. As everyone sings The Friendly Beasts, Stephanie proudly performs her dance on the stage.

Returning to the house, Mister Rogers concludes: "I, for one, wish you good memories of this holiday. And I hope you'll be able to look for all the different ways that people have of showing that they love you."

Images

Notes

This holiday special is one hour in length as opposed to the typical 30 minute Neighborhood episodes.

Presents are not allowed to be opened in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe until King Friday says "the word." The word for this holiday season is "Slopperydozafanoondapuck" which (according to King Friday) means "what a difference one person can make."

Although it is not specified who the gift-givers are, several gifts were received in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe:

• Corney - Battery powered lamp
• Henrietta Pussycat - A knitted hat
• X the Owl - Picture of Benjamin Franklin
• Daniel Striped Tiger - Toy truck
• King Friday - Word holder for holding long words
• Trolley - Christmas/Chanukah banner

The ice skating Lady Elaine Fairchilde was played by Sherri Heinecke. As she skates, The Dreidel Song plays in the background.

It is mentioned in this special that the Platypus family is visiting Ana's grandparents in Westwood suggesting that one or both sets of her grandparents are residents of Westwood.

The part of Stephanie was played by Stephanie Selby who was a young dancer featured in the photography publication, A Very Young Dancer.

It is often believed that the handshake shared between Mister Rogers and Mr. McFeely on the final Neighborhood episode (Episode 1765) was the only such occurance throughout the entire run of Neighborhood programs; however, the opening of Christmastime with Mister Rogers is one example of the contrary.

Songs

• Various holiday songs
• It's Such a Good Feeling

Appearing In This Episode

• Andrew Howard
• Audrey Roth
• Betty Aberlin
• Cornflake S. Pecially
• Daniel Striped Tiger
• Elsie Neal
• Francois Clemmons
• Franny Hamilton
• Handyman Negri
• Henrietta Pussycat
• Johnny Costa
• King Friday XIII
• Lady Aberlin
• Lady Elaine Fairchilde
• Mister Rogers
• Mr. Howard
• Mr. McFeely
• Mrs. Howard
• Mrs. McFeely
• Music Man
• Purple Panda
• Stanley Clay
• Stephanie Howard
• X the Owl

Episode Credits

Written by: Barry Head and Fred Rogers
Producer: Joseph F. Callo
Director: J. Philip Miller

With Fred Rogers
Stanley Clay as Himself and Music Man
Stephanie as Herself
Frances Bay as Mrs. Hamilton
Baker Salsbury: Mr. Howard
Veronica Beirne: Mrs. Howard
Charles Ozeas: Andrew
Sherri Heinecke: Ice Skater
Neighbors: Betty Aberlin, John Costa, Francois Clemmons, Betsy Nadas, Elsie Neal, Joe Negri, David Newell, David Nohling, Audrey Roth
Bellringers and Choristers: The Southminster Ringers and members of the children's choirs. Southminster Presbyterian Church (Pittsburth). Thomas C. Flynn, Director
Clappers and Hens: Susan Edelman, Nichole Faustino, Mindy Feldman, Sam King Jr., Jonathan Leifer, LeDawn Lyles, Carol Miyaoka, Christine Schoeman, Rodney Lee Walker, Cayce Weintraub
Associate Producers: David Morgan, Rosanne Zoccoli
Music Director: John Costa
Scenic Designers: Kathleen Ankers, Jack Guest
Costume Design: Barbara Anderson
Casting: Barbara Davis, Betty Aberlin
Dance Choreography: Linn Howard
Skating Choreography: Don Brockett
Musical Assistance: Jane Henderson, Natalie Ozeas
TPC Communications, Inc.
Assistant Director: Lee Knepshield
Production Associate: Susan Corrigan
Technical Director: David Belko
Audio: John Sutton
Camera: Joe Wittkofski, John Burdick
Lighting Director: Christian Dahl
Gaffer: Russ Morris
Video: Terry Adams
Videotape: Joe Stovcsik
Audio Assist: Paul Van Haute
Grip: Jeff Walker
Compact Video Systems, Inc.
Camera: Don McCauaig, Jon Blaisdell
Audio: Mark Karahadian, Ed Mahler
Audio Assist: John Bateman, Creane Friend
Technical Supervisor: Ernie Rinaldi
Video Consultants: Chuck Jones, Jacques Charles
Maintenance: Don Pfefferkorn, Pete Lawn
Utility: Ron Therriault
Electricians: David Marott, Richard Engel
Editing Facilities: TPC Communications Inc. / Videotape Editor: David Belko, Audio Mixer: John Sutton
Lighting of Dream Sequences: Academy Lighting Consultants - Bob Dickenson
Additional Audio Editing: Robert C. Bradfort III
Special Audio Editing: Aphex Systems LTD
Assistance for Dance Provided By: Mary Beth Miller, Janet Acevedo
Stage Manager: Mark Rosner
Production Assistants: Tony Buba, Brian Kreider, Dennis Monicatti
Cassette Editing: Glenn Pryzborski
Ice Skater Makeup: Tom Savini Lamb courtesy of Cal Poly-Pomona, CA

This program was made possible by a grant from The Sears-Roebuck Foundation.
A production of Family Communications
© 1977 Family Communications, Inc.