MISTER ROGERS' NEIGHBORHOOD: READY TO READ? {BALLET DANCER / THE READING GAME} {TWO EPISODES} (TV)
Summary
Two sequential episodes in this series of programs for young children, hosted by Fred Rogers, which uses puppets and music to teach patience and cooperation, while providing guidance to help children cope with feelings and frustrations.
In the first episode, Mister Rogers decorates a piece of wood that reads "FISH" and shows it to his pets, and then heads to ballet teacher Marianna Tcherkassky's school. There, dancer Ying Li shows Mister Rogers her toe shoes and performs a scene from the ballet "Ondine," which tells the tale of a water nymph. Mister Rogers chats with pianist Paul Sisco, and Li's husband and dance partner Jaibin Pan joins her for a pas de deux. Li then shows Mister Rogers a painting of a flower that she has created and demonstrates how one might depict a blooming flower via dance moments. Back at home, Mister Rogers shows how blue tissue paper can be used to artistically symbolize water.
In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Miss Paulifficate dresses as a fish for Lady Elaine's new television show, "The Reading Game," but H.J. Elephant III, also recruited to participate in the show, admits that he cannot read well. Lady Aberlin resolves to help him. At the same time, Cornflake S. Pecially reveals a machine that allows one to see inside certain objects. Later, Mister Rogers shares a quiet, thoughtful moment with viewers before reciting a poem about people's many different tastes and preferences, accompanied by artistic drawings. He closes the program with "It's Such a Good Feeling."
In the second episode, Mister Rogers opens a box containing a toy truck and introduces a series of images of trucks performing different jobs. Chuck Aber stops by with H.J. Elephant III and presents a children's book, "I Read Signs" by Tana Hoban. Chuck and Mister Rogers examine the book, which describes a variety of everyday public signs.
In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, Lady Aberlin and Mayor Maggie try to help an embarrassed H.J. learn to read via pantomime and sign language, though H.J. continues avoiding Lady Elaine's TV show. Chuck visits King Friday and demonstrates Corny's "look-inside" device, which reveals that Maggie's backpack is filled with "nothing." Chuck tries out the sign on X the Owl, though Henrietta worries that the device will see inside her mind. Lady Elaine commences broadcasting her show, though admits that she has still not located one of her guests, H.J.
Later, Mister Rogers explains that thoughts are always private and no one can know precisely what anyone else is thinking. Mr. McFeely then stops by with a video demonstrating how handmade paper is made from fabric pulp. Mister Rogers puts the toy truck away and closes the program with "It's Such a Good Feeling."
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: November 30, 1999
- RUNNING TIME: 0:57:32
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:75400
- GENRE: Children's programs
- SUBJECT HEADING: Children's programs; Puppets; Ballet; Reading
- SERIES RUN: WQED (Pittsburgh, PA) - TV series, 1968-1970; PBS - 1971-2001
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Fred Rogers … Executive Producer, Writer
- Margaret Whitmer … Producer
- Michael Johnson … Associate Producer
- Bob Walsh … Director
- Fred Rogers … Host, Cast, King Friday XIII / Lady Elaine Fairchilde / Cornflake S. Pecially / X the Owl / Henrietta Pussycat
- Chuck Aber … Cast, Voice, H.J. Elephant III
- Betty Aberlin … Cast, Lady Aberlin
- For the first episode:
- Ying Li … Guest, Dancer
- Jaibin Pan … Guest, Dancer
- Paul Sisco … Guest
- Marianna Tcherkassky … Guest
- Audrey Roth … Cast, Miss Paulifficate
- For the second episode:
- David Newell … Cast, Mr. McFeely
- Maggie Stewart … Cast, Mayor Maggie
- Tana Hoban