What? and Get Out of Show Business
Season 1, Episode 1 Unrated
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When Shirley Partridge goes into her garage to find out what all the noise is about, she discovers her children: Keith, Danny, Chris, Tracy and Laurie warming up for a song which they have collectively written. In need of a soprano to round out the harmony, the young Partridges volunteer their mom, and to the whole family's surprise, the song sounds alright. As a matter of fact, it sounds terrific. On his own initiative, Danny Partridge tape records their terrific tune and seeks out a business manager's ear. After tailing big-time manager (Reuben Kinkaid) all day, he finally gets him to listen to the tape. Reuben is reluctant to promise too much, but he promises the Partridges he'll give their song a fair "hearing." Within weeks, the garage-inspired song becomes an instant hit, and overnight the Partridges are in demand throughout the country. Shirley Partridge is uncertain how to adjust to their sudden success. A recent widow, she could certainly use the money. She decides that she's going to take her family on the publicity tour. She repaints an old school bus (which she almost knows how to drive), and thus, the Partridge Family begins to ride the road to success. Their first stop, Caeser's Palace in Las Vegas. After an introduction by Johnny Cash, Shirley is somewhat shocked to find all five kids suffering from a bad case of stage fright. She coaxes her children out of their silent trance by having them pretend to be back home in the garage. They finally begin to play and eventually earn a standing ovation. They've come a long way from their garage.
The Sound of Money
Season 1, Episode 2 Unrated
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Shirley Partridge and her family are driving along in their psychedelic bus one day when Shirley accidentally bumps the car in front of her very lightly. The bump would probably have been ignored by the average motorist, but Willie Larkin, the driver of the car, leaps out in anger. Obviously unhurt, he nevertheless begins to scold the family. Shirley wants to give Willie $5 to appease him, but when Willie learns from Danny that the Partridges are in show business, he decides to sue for whiplash. Shirley's insurance company knows that she doesn't have a chance to win the case so they advise her to settle out of court and give Willie $10,000. But the kids convince Shirley that she shouldn't help a man commit fraud and they decide to take matters in their own hands. Since Willie has claimed he can't bend over, Reuben Kincaid first tries to trick him into bending while Danny is hidden with a polaroid camera. When that doesn't work, the family packs some of their belongings and move in with Willie on the pretense that they want to take care of him. After managing to make his life miserable with their kindness, while at the same time winning his affection, the Partridges are able to convince Willie he is wrong. He agrees to drop the suit. A new song, "I'll Leave Myself a Little Time," is introduced in this episode.
Whatever Happened to the Old Songs
Season 1, Episode 3 Unrated
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When Shirley's father, who is in his late sixties, pulls up in a hot red sports car, the Partridge kids are elated with their jet-set Granddaddy and even ask him to join their group. When he takes them seriously and has his mandolin electrified and learns all the Partridge songs, much to his shock of Grandma, he's ready to tour with his musical kin. In a last ditch effort to discourage the old man's new fling, they convince Reuben to give his unbiased assessment of Grandpa's act. To the shock of the family, Reuben sees a future in the family act for the elder member. He feels that the audience might like the "campy" crooner and might laugh at his novel act. Grandpa, whose voice is at best, average, expected the audience to take him seriously and to "dig" him for what he is. Meanwhile, Grandma is vexed over Grandpa's new image. She tells Shirley how he's wearing sideburns, taking skydiving lessons, talking about running around with the chorus girls and -- because he wanted her to "catch up," he bought a mini skirt for Grandma! Determined to have his debut, Granddaddy gets Reuben to book him on the same bill with his grandchildren. Just as he is about to sing his opening rock number, Grandma stands up in the audience and, with all eyes on her, requests that Grandpa play the song they courted to, "Bye Bye Blackbird." At first embarrassed, Grandpa is later inspired by the audience who appreciate Grandpa for the sincerity of the old song, instead of the hilarity of him singing rock and roll. He promises Grandma a trip around the world if she promises to keep up with him.
See Here, Private Partridge
Season 1, Episode 4 Unrated
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The Partridge family is off to record their first album. Just as they are about to leave, Tracy runs up with a letter in her hand, a letter from the U.S Government. To the total surprise of everyone, ten-year-old Danny has been drafted! Rueben Kincaid says he will stay behind to clear up the matter and join the family soon. On the bus, the other kids tease Danny about going into the army, but he has taken it very seriously. He fantasizes himself in uniform performing heroic deeds. The Partridges are in the recording studio listening to the final tape playback of their album when Reuben enters with the bad news -- he was unable to get Danny off the hook. Furious, and armed just with Danny's birth certificate, Shirley makes the trip to the L.A Induction Center alone. Shirley is sent from one officer to another and no one will take the time to help her. Still fuming, she decides she will show them...she will bring Danny there and have him go through the induction. Danny says a tearful goodbye to his mother and enters the inducting office. He manages to get through the various stages of the physical without being detected, but just as he is about to be sworn in, the officers spot him. Terribly disappointed, Danny tells his mother that they wouldn't accept him because he is too short. Danny says that he thinks this experience has made him wise beyond his years and that he'll be at least 11 ½ before he is emotionally mature.
When Mother Gets Married
Season 1, Episode 5 Unrated
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After four weeks on the road, the Partridge family settles into a hotel and Shirley runs into an old friend, Larry Metcalf. She makes a date with him, much to the surprise and dismay of her kids who can't imagine their mother being attractive or attracted to a man. As Shirley and Larry spend more and more time together, the kids begin to get very worried. Laurie waits up for her one night and tries to give her advice. When Shirley shows up with just a minute to spare before a performance, they decided that this is a very serious matter. Danny calls Reuben Kincaid and tells him to come immediately that Shirley has fallen for a gigolo. Reuben checks up on Larry's financial status and learns that he owns an engineering company and is rather wealthy. Shirley discovers what they are up to and gives Danny a lecture. One day Laurie and Keith catch Larry in a jewelry shop giving a beautiful ring to a young girl embracing her. They decide to tell Shirley the hard facts, but Larry walks in and explains that the young girl is his niece Tina and that the ring was a graduation present. The kids feel terrible and Shirley has a serious talk with them about respecting other people's privacy. Knowing the kids can overhear, Larry pretends to ask Shirley to marry him ...and she says No, she does not love him. This is done to let the kids off the hook. Shirley and Larry say goodbye and the Partridge kids are very happy that their mother didn't get married. A new song, "I Really Want to Know You," is introduced in this episode.
Love at First Slight
Season 1, Episode 6 Unrated
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Keith Partridge is being hounded by his idolizers and the attention becomes just a bit too much for the handsome crooner. Foremost among his faithful followers is Cathy, a thirteen year old nearby neighbor who becomes Keith's second shadow. The pursued Partridge tries to become incognito. With a large pair of sunglasses and an overly long overcoat, the disguise is effective but ridiculous. During one of his is get-away attempt, he ducks into the Inner Self where he meets Janet, a 16-year old clerk who works there. He takes off his disguise and is relieved to find she treats him as a mortal, not an idol. In fact, she doesn't even know who he is and doesn't care. Keith's pride, or more exactly his ego, is hurt by Janet's lack of interest in him. He decides to dedicate himself to conquering the girl from Inner Self. His conquest is rebuffed at every turn. He finally succeeds in getting Janet to reluctantly accept a dinner date at the Partridge house. Unknowingly Keith's mother has already invited faithful and persistent Cathy to dinner on the same evening. Initially upset over his mother's meddling, Keith soon realizes that Janet is forcing herself to accept his invitation and that she doesn't really like Keith, despite his singing success. He cancels his date with Janet and is happy to dine with his second shadow.
Danny and the Mob
Season 1, Episode 7 Unrated
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LaVon LaVern is a sexy woman who knows very little about stocks. Danny Partridge knows little about sex but a lot about stocks. Through Danny's stock tips, LaVon manages profit substantially on the market. The problem is LaVon's mobster boyfriend, Harry, thinks Danny (whose age he doesn't know) is trying to "move-in" on LaVon. Harry, whose hesitation to wed LaVon has caused her to lose interest in him, still blames Danny for what's happened. He hires two thugs, Rocco and Skee, to "lean on" the ten year old tot and the two men reluctantly do as they're told. Thy give Danny a verbal warning to stay away,"or else." Danny, a realist at heart, scares himself sick thinking of the "or else" possibilities. He stakes out in his own home where his singing siblings can't get Danny to tell them what's wrong. Reuben thinks it's merely Danny's latent insanity coming to the fore. Shirley is absolutely convinced something's wrong when Danny loses interest in the economic situation. Ultimately, Harry learns of Danny's age and sends Rocco and Skee to find Danny, who runs at the sight of the approaching thugs. A frenzied chase through alley-ways ends with Rocco and Skee capturing him and bring him home to an embarrassed Harry and a relieved mom. LaVon finally gets Harry to "I do." Rocco and Skee become firm friends with the little-boy broker who almost broke away.
But the Memory Lingers On
Season 1, Episode 8 Unrated
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The Partridge family takes a day off from their grinding schedule to picnic, rest their vocal chords, and to enjoy the sights and smells of nature. Their plans are polluted when a skunk wanders into their bus. The animal leaves long before his sent does and so the family is faced with the dilemma of getting deodorized before their very exclusive hotel booking the next day. Reuben, instead of thinking up a solution, gets them into more of a "stink" by scheduling them to do a benefit performance that day at a children s hospital. He made the last minute hospital booking hurriedly and without realizing what the Partridges' smelled like. By the time he gets a whiff of what's happened, it's too late to cancel. Leaving Simone, the Partridge dog, in the bus, the family decontaminates one at a time in a nearby motel shower. After much scrubbing and much cologne, there is still a dissenting scent about the perfumed Partridges. Reuben suddenly remembers that tomato juice is a sure- fire way skunk odor remover. He orders several gallons and pours them in the tub. To everyone's surprise, the juice works. The sweet-smelling family heads for the hospital in borrowed clothes. En route to their cab, an unsuspecting bellboy opens the bus door and out flops Simone jumping all over everyone and the Partridges once again has an "air" about themselves. Too late for a change, the foul family goes to the hospital where they sing in a glass-enclosed operating amphitheater with an audience well protected form the scent. The sound is piped in through speakers. The young audience is jubilant and the Partridges (after scrubbing down) are jubilant. The sweet smell of success has returned.
Did You Hear the One About Danny Partridge
Season 1, Episode 9 Unrated
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During a performance by the Partridge Family one night, Danny's foot gets caught in the cord of the microphone and he knocks a few things over trying to free himself. The audience loves it, but Danny is mortified and locks himself in the men's room. Shirley and Reben Kincaid try every ploy to get Danny to come out, but he is so embarrassed that he refuses. Finally, they tell him that he is a natural comedian and that they will write an act especially for him. Danny emerges. Much to the dismay of Shirley and the other kids, Danny takes the comedy bit seriously and foes to see a gag writer named Ziggy Schnurr. Ziggy gives the boy a number of old bad jokes and after the next evenings performance, Danny tries them out on the audience. They laugh, but they are really laughing at a 10-year old kid telling bad jokes, and the family doesn't know how to break it to Danny. When Shirley can't make Danny understand that he just isn't a comedian, she and Reuben decide to take him to the L.A. office of Max Pepper, the owner of the Hawaiian hotel where they will appear. Pepper, a jaded, successful impresario, tells Danny the hard facts. Danny finally realizes that his mother was just trying to spare his feelings and he tells her he wants to sue Ziggy Shnurr for giving him bad jokes. Danny and Shirley go to Ziggy's office to get back Danny's money and Ziggy tries to sell them a ventriloquist act.
Go Directly to Jail
Season 1, Episode 10 Unrated
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The Partridges agree to do a concert for a real "captive audience" "the convicts at the Federal Penitentiary. Inmate Hank Bouford's only reason for arranging the concert is to sell the Partridge family several new love songs. When the show is over, Hank tries tossing Shirley, but can't get past Reuben Kincaid. To prevent them from leaving, Hank, who's a hospital orderly, uses his convict pal, Monty, as his patient and convinces the Warden that Monty's "illness" may be contagious. Then the Warden places the entire prison under quarantine, which means Reuben, Shirley and the kids must spend the night in jail. The prison doctor's office will only sleep four, so Keith, Danny and Reuben are assigned to a regular cell amid the convicts. The next morning, after receiving a mysterious, threatening note, Shirley learns that Hank had stolen the music from Max, a scar-faced, mean-looking convict who is the leader of all the inmates. Everyone, especially Keith, wants to record the songs, but Max won't sell. Shirley finds out that Max is afraid he'll lose the respect of his "cons" if they know he wrote poetic love songs. By promising to publish the music under a pen name, Shirley finally gets Max to change his mind and sign a contract.
This Is My Song
Season 1, Episode 11 Unrated
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Keith has been having a dry spell, he has not been able to write a new song and the group has a live record date in two weeks. Danny offers to help by knocking out a couple of quick tunes, and everyone laughs at him. To prove he can do it, Danny locks himself in his room and refuses to come out until he has a song. He finally comes up with what he thinks is a new melody, but he is informed that it is the one her heard on TV the night before. The next "original" song he comes up with just happens to be "Born Free." That night Keith gets a sudden inspiration and begins to work it out on his guitar. The walls are thin between his bedroom and Danny's, and Danny is falling asleep, he hears the melody from Keith's guitar. In the morning Danny hums the notes while Laurie writes them down and he is convinced hi is a genius. He doesn't believer Keith who tells him that his new song is Keith's. Shirley and Keith realize what has happened and they decide to do and experiment. Keith will compose a very bad song and play it on his guitar. Sure enough, the next morning Danny says he has a new composition but that it is terrible. When Keith plays the same song, Danny learns the bitter truth. He is very disheartened. The Partridge Family is getting ready to sing Keith's new song, "To Be Lovers," and Keith announces to the audience that the song's history is a rather peculiar one. He says that he wrote it, but Danny made several improvements on it so that it is their first collaborative effort. Danny next gets the idea to bring back the Bunny Hop and the group can hop off stage.
My Son, the Feminist
Season 1, Episode 12 Unrated
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Shirley Partridge receives a call from the school principal, George Clauson, asking her if she and her family are identified with women's liberation. There is a poster in school saying that they will sing at a rally for POW, Power of Women. Shirley tries to find out which member of her family committed them to this appearance. She learns that it is Keith. His new girlfriend Tina Newcomb is very involved in the movement and had taken Keith's maybe for a definite yes. Shirley has to confront angry, hostile parents who are called "Morality Watchdogs." She tries to keep calm in the face of their threats, but she finally blows up and says that her family will definitely appear at the rally. Keith invites Tina to dinner so that his family can finally meet her and they are shocked with what she has to say on the subject of women's lib. Keith is annoyed, and when he takes her home, he refuses to walk her to the door or even kiss her. He tells her that if she wants equality, she can have it. On the day of the rally, Tina tells Keith that the family has to sing her songs, not their own. This is the last straw for Keith who gets very angry and storms off the stage. Shirley stops him and tells him that they promised they would sing, and they will! The Partridges sing their song "I Think I Love You," much to the dismay of Tina. The Watchdogs at first don't like it, but then they start to enjoy the music. The kids get into the beat and love it. When Tina sees the crowd's reaction, her anger begins to fade. After surviving this ordeal, the family is horrified to hear that Danny has committed them to perform for the "Morality Watchdogs."
Star Quality
Season 1, Episode 13 Unrated
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Sheila Faber, a famous syndicated columnist, writes and item about the Partridge Family after catching their performance. However, her article singles out Danny, praising him for his "personal magnetism" and "star quality." When Danny reads Sheila's column, all the praise goes straight to his head and that night he dreams he leaves the family act and becomes the biggest star in show business. The next night, he calls Reuben Kincaid and Danny's mysterious urgency has Reuben on the next plane. When Reuben arrives, Danny proceeds to tell him about his plans to leave the act and make it as a single, stressing that his only reason for this decision is financial security for his family. Because Reuben is sworn to secrecy, Shirley and the rest of the family don't know what to make of Danny's strange behavior, or Reuben's unexplained visit. A few days later, Shirley sees children and their mothers heading for the garage. When she goes to investigate, she finds Danny holding auditions to find a replacement and Shirley learns of his plans. Shirley, Reuben and the rest of the family launch a psychological attack on Danny, acting class about his plans to leave the group. They even get a replacement, Norman, who can sing a play better than Danny. On the night of their big performance in a famous Hollywood club, Danny finally realizes his real reason for wanting to quit glory, and the Partridge Family act stays together. A new tune, "Singing My Song," is introduced in this episode.
Red Woodloe Story
Season 1, Episode 14 Unrated
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Logan Mayes, a middle-aged concert promoter who tries to dress and act just a little too "cool," arranges a European tour for the Partridge Family, but the contract doesn't include Shirley. Logan thinks she won't appeal to a young European audience and doesn't want her in the group. Shirley knows the kids will never accept Logan's contract but she doesn't want them to miss out on a trip to Europe. So, she announces her retirement, telling the kids that she tired of show business and wants to go back to being just a mother. The next day, Keith and Laurie go to Logan's hotel room and learn the real reason behind Shirley's sudden resignation. Furious, they try to get their mother back in the group by deliberately messing up a nightclub performance in front of Logan. When hat fails, they all decide to quit until Shirley tells them she'll rejoin the group after the tour. When they arrive in Paris for the first concert, the kids are on stage as Shirley waits in the wings with Reuben and Logan. To her surprise, and Logan's astonishment, the audience starts chanting for Shirley to appear. She happily joins her family on stage as Reuben negotiates a new contract with a more humble Logan.
Mom Drops Out
Season 1, Episode 15 Unrated
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Logan Mayes, a middle-aged concert promoter who tries to dress and act just a little too "cool," arranges a European tour for the Partridge Family, but the contract doesn't include Shirley. Logan thinks she won't appeal to a young European audience and doesn't want her in the group. Shirley knows the kids will never accept Logan's contract but she doesn't want them to miss out on a trip to Europe. So, she announces her retirement, telling the kids that she tired of show business and wants to go back to being just a mother. The next day, Keith and Laurie go to Logan's hotel room and learn the real reason behind Shirley's sudden resignation. Furious, they try to get their mother back in the group by deliberately messing up a nightclub performance in front of Logan. When hat fails, they all decide to quit until Shirley tells them she'll rejoin the group after the tour. When they arrive in Paris for the first concert, the kids are on stage as Shirley waits in the wings with Reuben and Logan. To her surprise, and Logan's astonishment, the audience starts chanting for Shirley to appear. She happily joins her family on stage as Reuben negotiates a new contract with a more humble Logan.
Old Scrapmouth
Season 1, Episode 16 Unrated
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Dr. Kessler, the family dentist, tells Shirley that Laurie will have to wear braces. Laurie isn't in the best of moods when Shirley breaks the news because her boyfriend, Jerry, was supposed to ask her to go steady that day, but lost his nerve. After hearing about the braces, Laurie is sure Jerry will never ask her. The next day, Laurie returns from the dentist with her mouth full of metal. She broods in her room, refusing to speak unless it's absolutely necessary and then only with her hand over her mouth. Meanwhile, Reuben shows up...proudly announcing that he's set up an appearance on the nationwide Wink Burgess TV show, which will be taped the following day. The thought of being on coast-to-coast television horrifies Laurie, but she agrees to do the show. The next day, Wink Burgess and his entire crew arrive for the taping. When Burgess tells Laurie to smile for the camera, she storms out of the house in tears and hides in the bus. Jerry, who's been hanging around, mustering his courage, joins her, and before she says a word, asks her to go steady. Again, Laurie bursts into tears and runs back to the house leaving poor Jerry completely baffled. When everyone is ready for a final rehearsal before the taping, Laurie unsmilingly takes her place at the piano. They start playing but only get past the first few bars because Laurie is playing off-key. Fortunately, Dr. Kessler is there and explains that Laurie's braces are picking up nearby radio signals, causing her to play off-key. Immediately, everyone rushes outside to find out who's playing a radio -- everyone except Laurie. Then Jerry comes in and Laurie hears his radio; she's so surprised that she forgets to cover her mouth and Jerry sees her braces. After he tells her that it won't change his feelings, Laurie smiles and is her old self again.
Why Did the Music Stop?
Season 1, Episode 17 Unrated
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Shirley gets the notion that show biz may be robbing the kids of a normal life. Thinking that the hectic grind may be too much of a strain on them she takes tem all for a medical checkup, only to find that they're in perfect health. Still convinced that they're missing something, Shirley tells them that she thinks they should quit show business for six months. All are baffled by the announcement, except Laurie, because she thinks that the reason for Shirley's sudden decision is handsome, eligible Him Lucas, Shirley's former doctor. When Laurie tells the others, they agree not to stand in the way of Shirley's happiness, and after consenting to the six-month rest, Shirley thinks she was right about her fears. Several days later, the kids are bored to death without their music and, feeling they're sacrificing in vain, Danny plays matchmaker by finding Him and dropping a not-so-subtle hint that Shirley is always at home. Jim drives Danny home, sees Shirley and the kids think they've finally gotten the romance on its way. After five dates Shirley tells Laurie that Him has something to ask her. Everyone thinks Him will propose, but, to Shirley's relief, he only asks her to look at some songs he's written. The kids find out that Shirley wasn't serious about Jim, Shirley learns the real reason they agreed to give up their music and to everyone's delight, especially Rube's, the group is ready to work again.
The Soul Club
Season 1, Episode 18 Unrated
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Booked for a weekend stint in Detroit, the Partridge Family and manager Reuben Kincaid get quite a surprise when they see the club where they are supposed to perform. Called "The Fire House," the club is just that -- an old fire house in the ghetto. Owners San and A.E. Simon started the club as an inexpensive place of entertainment for the people living in the black neighborhood...but they're in debt to a loan shark named Heavy, who can't wait to take the club away from them and will use any gangster tactic in the book to do it. When Shirley learns that "The Temptations" were supposed to appear at the "Fire House," and not the family, and after discussing it with the Simons, it's apparent that Heavy deliberately had the bookings mixed up so that Sam and A.E wouldn't be able to make their last payment. In an effort to help, Shirley and the kids give a free performance, but Heavy and his boys see to it that there is no audience. The next day, A.E. and Sam are without hope. Then, Shirley comes up with the idea of having a block party and asking for donations to save the club. Sam gets the local business men to donate refreshments. Shirley takes care of the legal permits. Even Reuben pitches in by getting the disc jockeys to announce the event, and Danny charms a group of rough-looking karate experts known as the Afro-American Cultural Society into getting an orchestra together. The block party is a complete success, and the donations give the Simon brothers more than enough money to take care of Heavy.
To Play or Not to Play
Season 1, Episode 19 Unrated
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When the Partridges arrive at a nightclub called "The Town Hall Inn," Laurie receives a warm greeting from old friend Marc Baldwin. Marc, who once attended Laurie's high school, is putting himself through college by working at the club. There's barely enough time for introductions when club owner Harry Marino comes out, orders Marc back to the kitchen and the family inside for rehearsal. After Shirley and the kids run through one number, they see Marc come storming out of the kitchen with Marino shouting right behind him. Laurie learns that Marc and the rest of Marino's employees (all of whom are college students) are going to strike for better pay and better working conditions since the kitchen is hazardously outdated. Laurie, deciding it would be morally wrong to cross their picket lines, refuses to perform. Shirley realizes Laurie's sense of moral obligation, but there's also the family's legal obligation to consider. So, Shirley tries to talk to Marino on behalf of Laurie and the strikers. But Marino won't even listen. He only shouts and threatens to sue for breach of contract if Laurie or any other member of the family fails to appear. Shirley goes back to the hotel in rage. Then Danny puts a plan of his own into action...he tells Marc that Marino is ready to settle the strike. When Marc and Danny go into Marino's office, Danny locks the door, and the three are stuck there until some agreement is made. Marino gives in to Marc's reasonable demands, Marc calls off the strike, and the Partridge Family, Laurie included, go on stage as scheduled.
They Shoot Managers, Don't They?
Season 1, Episode 20 Unrated
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The Patridge Family's concern about manager Reuben Kincaid leads them to believe he needs a wife. After one unsuccessful attempt by Danny, Shirley decides to do some matchmaking of her own. She has a barbecue and invites Reuben and Cathleen D'arcy a wealthy cosmetic manufacturer. For Cathleen and Reuben, its love at first sight and it isn't long before they announce their marriage plans to the family. Bad news accompanies the food when Reuben tells them that he'll no longer be able to manage the group because Cathleen wants him to handle all of her affairs. He does, however, set up one last booking for the family and after going over the details; he bids a sad farewell to Shirley and the kids. When the family arrives in Miami Beach for their show, everything starts to go wrong, their hotel room is too small, the new press agent never shows up and there's a dispute over their contract. Danny, who was the most upset about losing their manager, decides to take over and phones Reuben for advice. After the conversation, Cathleen becomes annoyed when Reuben laughingly recalls some of the good times he's had with the Family. The next night, before the performance, there's a knock on the door. To the Partridges' surprise, and delight, it's Reuben. When the family learns that the marriage was called off because of Cathleen's dislike for kids, Reuben is once again bombarded with love and affection from the Partridge Family.
A Partridge up a Pear Tree
Season 1, Episode 21 Unrated
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Keith has a new possession, a 1952 Hudson which is his pride and joy. The car is a lemon, however, and Keith has borrowed money from everyone in the family to make payments and fix it. Danny decides to become his business manager and teach him how to handle money. Keith can't bring himself to tell Carol, his girlfriend, that he is broke. Instead, he takes her to a kiddie show and gives her homemade popcorn. She tries to get Keith to tell her the truth, but when he refuses, she runs away hurt. As Keith tries to follow her in the car it breaks down again. Shirley suggests that Keith get a job to make extra money. He first becomes a trainee to a plumber, but can't quite get the knack of plumbing. Then, he tries to learn to be a salesman of a vegetable slicer, but ends up buying the slicer for his mother. His attempt at a newspaper route ends disastrously when he sees a beautiful girl walk by. Keith tells Carol he can't take her to the prom because he is broke, and she understands. He decides, however, to sell the car so that he can pay everyone back and go to the prom. His family is thrilled. Their happiness doesn't last too long...Keith comes home with a $50 motorcycle and asks to borrow money to fix it up.
Road Song
Season 1, Episode 22 Unrated
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The Partridge family and Reuben are eating in a seedy restaurant in New Mexico when a young girl, Maggie Newton, comes up to them and asks for a ride to Albuquerque. She tells them she is going to see her father who is an archeologist. After they leave, a patrolman enters the restaurant and asks the waitress if she has seen a young girl. The picture he shows her is of Maggie. When the bus arrives at a motel, Maggie says goodbye and goes on. The patrolman comes to the motel and tells Shirley he is looking for Maggie and when Shirley and Reuben find Maggie the next day, they ask her why the police are after her. She doesn't tell them the truth, but they learn from a sheriff in Kumquist, New Mexico, that Maggie is a runaway. She lives with her grandparents in Nebraska but runs away every other week to her father in Albuquerque. Shirley tells the sheriff that she will be responsible for getting Maggie together with her grandparents. She calls them and tells the grandfather to meet her at the airport in Albuquerque. But, Maggie has run away again, and after the family searches everywhere in the town, they find her hitchhiking. The Partridges take Maggie to her father, who says he will keep her this time and not let her grandfather take her back. When Shirley brings the grandfather to the house for a confrontation, there is a lot of tension, and Shirley is the one who settles the dispute. They reach an agreement: Maggie will stay with her grandparents while she is going to school and with her father during Christmas and summer holiday. A new song is introduced called "Point Me In The Direction Of Albuquerque."
Not with My Sister, You Don't
Season 1, Episode 23 Unrated
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Tall, handsome Lester Braduck transfers to Keith and Laurie's high school, and within two weeks, he has taken out half the girls. Keith and the other boys are having fits. Meanwhile, Laurie comes home very excited one day and announces that Lester has asked her out. Keith tells Shirley about Lester's Don reputation at school, but Shirley replies that the rumors could be false. Besides, she has enough trust in her daughter...but Shirley talks to Laurie anyway. Laurie assures her that Lester is very shy and the girls are annoying him. Keith goes up to Lester at school and introduces himself. He asks if Lester would like to double with him and a girl when he takes Laurie out. Lester says yes, but when he hears which girls Keith plans to invite, he refuses because he has already taken them out. Laurie goes on the date, and Keith and Danny follow in the bus. When Lester and Laurie are sitting in his parked car talking, Danny panics that something is going on and he goes up to the car, knocks on the window and asks for a match. Needless to say, Laurie is humiliated and furious. She refuses to talk to Keith and Danny, and they feel rotten. Lester also refuses to talk to Keith, so he can't even make amends. Danny makes matters worse by repeating his act when Lester is parked with another girl. Keith finally manages to apologize to Lester and gives him a ticket to the Partridge Family concert so that he can take Laurie out afterward. Laurie is delighted...until she discovers that Lester is not the shy boy he seemed to be. She ends up walking home after twisting Lesters's arm as she fights him off. Poor Keith gets the blame again for fixing them up. He then meets a beautiful girl at school but can't ask her out. She is Lester's sister.
A Partridge by Any Other Name
Season 1, Episode 24 Unrated
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Preparing for a Canadian tour the Family must have their birth certificates. The attic produces certificates for all except Danny, his is not to be found. When introduced to the Family, booking agent Marty Burns jokingly refuses to believe Danny is a Partridge, "not with that hair and those ears," and Danny is convinced he is an adopted child. Shirley tries hard to talk him out of his belief, but Reuben and the others, in trying to kid Danny about his origin, only confirm his opinion he is not a Partridge. At the hospital where all the others were born Danny finds there is no record of his birth. Heartbroken, he refuses to believe Shirley's story that he was born unexpectedly while the family was on a picnic and thus missed the "regular" hospital. On a return visit to the hospital Danny learns the name of the one male child born there on his birthday, a son to a Mr. & Mrs. Young. The phone book provides the names of all the M. Youngs in the city and Danny takes off to find his parents. There ensues a series of very strange confrontations between Danny and his "father." One, Mike Young, a construction worker and single, tells Danny he would have had to be born in Korea. Then Danny meets a priest; an old man wielding an ear trumpet; a widow who produces a ten year old M. Young, and catches with another in the cemetery. Meanwhile, Shirley and Reuben have contacted the hospital and learned what Danny was doing. They find him at the last address on his list and watch while he rings the doorbell, which is answered by a handsome young black man. Later, a happy Danny admits he has made two mistakes; one, thinking he was adopted and two, not realizing that to be adopted by the Partridge Family would be the greatest compliment anyone could ever be paid.
A Knight in Shining Armor
Season 1, Episode 25 Unrated
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The Partridge Family and Reuben return home one night after a long trip and are awakened by loud music. To their surprise, they discover a young man, Bobby Conway, playing his tapes in their garage. Bobby explains that he has waited one week for their return so that he could play his music for them. But he doesn't write lyrics and the Partridges don't perform instrumentals. Danny remembers some poems thy received in the mail and suggests they try to find the author, Lionel Poindexter, who lives in Denver. The Partridges and Bobby travel to Denver and find Lionel, who is a bit strange. He greets them dressed in a full suit of armor; one of his jobs is distributing leaflets on the street for a product called Sir Lancelot Plums. Lincoln tells the group that he is tone deaf but will listen to Bobby's tapes to see if he can come up with lyrics. Bobby discovers that Lionel has all his jobs to enable him to give gifts to the orphanage where he was raised. Bobby meets two of the little girls at the orphanage who adore Lionel and think he is a genius. The eight-year-old was the person who had sent Lionel's poems to the Partridges. Finally Lionel comes up with lyrics and the Partridge Family sings the song "Stephanie" at their nightclub concert. It's a big success, and Bobby and Lionel decide to team up. They say goodbye to the Partridges and head for Hollywood.
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