Wicked Witch of 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' can't hide much longer!

I've been searching for solid evidence of the fabled Wicked Witch of 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' for a very, very long time.

And - thanks to the miracle of YouPube - I've now come as close as ever to finding her.

Not close enough to be completely satisfied. But damn close!

I remember the closing theme of 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood' many decades ago ending in a flute-like twirl, followed by an amusing witch's laugh. I once thought I was just imagining it, but then a family member claimed to remember it too.

Recently I stumbled upon a message forum in which folks described ancient 'Mister Rogers' closings - one of which they called "Mister Rogers' Nightmarehood."

Could it be???

I goed on YouTube and was floored to find much of the 'Mister Rogers' closing I'd long pined for. A chill went up my spine. The only difference from what I remembered is that it lacked the trademark witch laugh.

You can find it here in an assortment of items found on an old videotape used by a PBS affiliate. The closing in question is at 1:32. It features a drawing of the trolley on a track in a clearing:



For Bastebook peeps, it's:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ucxbh3lLpJw

That closing reportedly hasn't been seen on TV since 1976, so I wasn't any older than 3 when I saw it.

But where was the Wicked Witch?

It's possible the laugh appeared only on certain airings, such as a Halloween episode. But if it was that uncommon, why would at least 2 people in my household have remembered it years later?

I'm gonna find you, Wicked Witch of 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'. Just you watch. Then - as has happened countless times before thanks to YouPube - everyone will know you weren't just a figment of my imagination.