1101: Death of a Goldfish 

In this highly-acclaimed early episode Mister Rogers discovers a dead fish in his aquarium, buries it, and talks about his boyhood feelings when his dog died. He assures children that memories can help, and that sadness isn't forever.

Director:

David F. Chen

Writer:

Fred Rogers

Stars:

Fred Rogers, Betty Aberlin, Bill Barker

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Fred Rogers	...	Mr. Rogers / King Friday XIII / Queen Sara Saturday
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Betty Aberlin	...	Lady Aberlin
Bill Barker	...	Dr. Bill Platypus (voice)
Robert Trow	...	Bob Dog / Bob Trow

Storyline

In this highly-acclaimed early episode Mister Rogers discovers a dead fish in his aquarium, buries it, and talks about his boyhood feelings when his dog died. He assures children that memories can help, and that sadness isn't forever.

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Genres:

Family | Fantasy | Music

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Certificate:

TV-Y

Details

Release Date:

23 March 1970 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

29 min

Did You Know?

Trivia

In a rare occourence one of Mr. Rogers fish dies on screen.

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Goofs

As Lady Aberlin runs to find Dr. Bill, she passes the oak tree which is against the wall even with Corny's factory -- not in its usual location as the center point of the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.

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Quotes

Mr. Rogers: [a fish in his tank had died, so he buried it in the yard] When I was very young, I had a dog that I loved very much. Her name was Mitzi. And she got to be old, and she died. I was very sad when she died, because she and I were good pals. And when she died, I cried. My grandmother heard me crying, I remember, and she came and just put her arms around me, because she knew I was sad. She knew how much I loved that dog. My dad said that we had to bury Mitzi, and I didn't want to. I didn't want to ...
[...]

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Connections

Featured in Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)

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Soundtracks

Tomorrow
Performed by Fred Rogers

User Reviews

Best episode ever.

Watched this episode as a child, a great episode! It he'll It helped feel better about my grandfather dying.