Episode 1169 [1971] Uncle of the Monkey

Original Air Date: April 8, 1971

  

Mister Rogers opens by sharing a film about monkeys before Bob Trow stops by on his way home from the store. He gives Mister Rogers a banana which provides some inspiration for part of the day's opera.

In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, everyone is in costume as they prepare for the opera. Reardon and Lady Aberlin take a call from King Friday on a banana phone requesting their presence at the castle. The King is given the part of "first musician" in the opera -- playing his bass fiddle as the production begins.

The opera -- The Uncle of the Monkey -- begins with the Zookeeper (Lady Aberlin) caring for the animals at the zoo which include a talking parrot (voiced by Bob Trow), Daniel Duck (Daniel Striped Tiger), and a horse (Ino A. Horse). At the monkey house, the Organ Grinder (Reardon) arrives feeling upset that no one wants to pay for his music. His sense of failure prompts him to return his Monkey (Robert Troll) to the Monkey's Uncle (Chef Brockett).

Giving his organ to the Monkey's Uncle, the Organ Grinder accepts an invitation to tour the zoo with the Zookeeper. While they are gone, the Monkey's Uncle converts the organ into a popcorn maker which provides a feeling of rejuvenated confidence to the Organ Grinder. Upon the arrival of the Monkey's Aunt (Miss Paulificate), the Organ Grinder decides that he will continue his work at the zoo.

Back at the house, Mister Rogers encourages viewers to be creative by making up their own operas.

For details and more screenshots from Episode 1169 of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, visit the Neighborhood Archive.