Original subtitles

[Partridge family theme playing]

♪ Come on now and meet everybody ♪

♪ and hear us singing ♪

♪ there's nothing better than being together ♪

♪ when we're singing ♪

♪ the five of us ♪

♪ and mom working all day ♪

♪ we knew we could help her if our music would pay ♪

♪ Danny got Reuben to sell our song ♪

♪ and it really came together when mom sang along ♪

♪ come on now and meet everybody ♪

♪ and hear us singing ♪

♪ there's nothing better than being together ♪

♪ when we're singing ♪

♪ when we're singing ♪

♪ when we're singing ♪♪

[Playing "singing my song"]

♪ Singin' it out to the people ♪

♪ singin' it out to them all ♪

♪ singin' my song ♪

♪ and they're singin' along ♪

♪ all of my problems are oh-so-small ♪

♪ all of my problems are so small ♪

♪ I sing it, um ba-de-dum ba-de-da-Dee-Dee-dum ♪

♪ ba-de-dum ba-de-dum ba-de-da-do ♪

♪ ba-de-dum ba-de-dum ba-de-da-Dee-Dee-dum ♪

♪ ba-de-dum ba-de-dum ba-de-da-do ♪

Shirley: We're appearing at stage seven,

a very chic private club in Hollywood.

We took this booking

because Danny felt it might lead to getting publicity,

which is essential for a musical group,

and Danny was right.

This is Sheila Faber, a very influential columnist.

She has the power to generate that publicity.

♪ We can make everything all right ♪

♪ ba-de-dum ba-de-dum ba-de-da-Dee-Dee-dum ♪

♪ ba-de-dum ba-de-dum ba-de-da-da ♪♪

Danny didn't realize it until later,

but that performance would teach him a lesson

he'll never forget.

Danny: Hey, there's an item about us

in Sheila Faber's column.

She must've seen the show last night.

Laurie: Who's Sheila Faber?

Who's Sheila Faber?

She's one of the biggest syndicated columnists

in america, that's all.

What does it say, Danny?

Listen to this.

"Caught a performance of the partridge family

"last night

"and can add my voice to the enthusiasm

"for this new group that's sweeping the music world.

"The whole family has a fresh, wholesome appeal,

but..."

Go on.

Yeah, come on. What does it say?

Oh, nothing much.

Oh, come on, Danny.

Are we gonna be stars or aren't we?

Okay.

"But it's young Danny partridge who stands out

"as the star of the group.

"His twinkling eyes, his tousled mop, and impish grin

are absolutely irresistible."

Come on, Danny. Stop kidding around.

What does it really say?

Look, would I lie about something like that?

"His twinkling eyes, tousled mop, impish grin..."

Boy, I wonder what they put in her drink.

"The gifted young charmer

possesses a personal magnetism..."

Oh...

"And all the unmistakable earmarks

that spell out star quality."

Gee, I never noticed that about him.

Did you, laur?

No, I never did.

I only noticed he never takes a bath.

Boy, I can see our billing from now on.

"Danny partridge" in huge letters

and underneath, in tiny letters,

"and his family."

All right, kids.

Stop teasing him.

He's embarrassed enough already.

Oh, really?

Well, then why is he smiling?

He's probably practicing

his impish grin.

Don't let 'em get to you, Danny.

They're just jealous.

They needn't be.

Personal magnetism is a gift.

[♪♪♪]

Hey, boys, time to go to sleep.

Will you take me to the Dodgers' game

this week, mom?

We'll see.

Frankly, all I want to do for the next few days

is just flake out.

'Night, sweetheart.

Good night, mom.

Come on, Danny.

Lights out.

Oh, couldn't I just finish this chapter?

It's late.

Besides, I want to go to bed myself.

I'm bushed.

But it's a very exciting book.

You can read it tomorrow.

Good night, honey.

Good night, mom.

Dr. Spock's baby book is a very exciting book?

Uh, it was the first thing handy.

It's very interesting.

Oh.

This is dick Clark talking from the partridge family home.

Earlier today, news that Danny partridge

would leave the family group and work as a single

rocked the entertainment world.

We found him surrounded by his loving family

and asked him

what brought about this momentous decision.

Well, I want my family

to be financially secure.

That's my sole motivation.

You don't mind the sacrifice?

Of course not.

It's not their fault

they don't have personal magnetism

or... tousled hair.

Keith, how do you feel about this?

Just terribly grateful

I have such a wonderful brother

with all the unmistakable earmarks

of star quality.

Thank you.

Mrs. Partridge, how do you feel about it?

Terribly relieved.

You see, we were all so very bushed.

Emcee: And now, ladies and gentlemen,

the young charmer

you've all paid $1500 a seat to see,

but who will donate his entire fee

to his family,

Danny partridge.

[Cheering and applause]

[Jazz music playing]

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

For my first number, I would like to grin at you.

[Wild cheering and applause]

I would like to thank you for giving me this day,

but I wouldn't have become the world's best baseball player

unless my brother had helped me get started

by buying me the Los Angeles Dodgers

for my 8th birthday.

Ladies and gentlemen, my brother Danny.

Danny? [Groans]

Are you all right?

Mom, what are you doing here?

That must have been quite a dream.

What time is it?

After one.

How come you're still up?

I was trying to balance the budget.

But we've been making a fortune.

Hardly a fortune, Danny.

Don't forget,

we have a high overhead when we're on the road.

Anyway, that's nothing to worry you.

Good night, honey. Good night, mom.

[Ringing]

Yeah.

Danny partridge here, Mr. Kincaid.

I've got to talk to you.

Danny, I thought I told you never to call me here.

Where?

In bed. Don't you ever sleep?

This is an emergency, Mr. Kincaid.

Something's happened that can change your whole life.

Again?

I think you better get on a plane

and fly out here right away.

It's not something

we can discuss over the phone.

Look, kid...

Would you put your mother on?

No one in the family knows about this yet.

That's why I've got to talk to you.

To plan how to break it to them.

Your voice hasn't started to change or anything?

No. Nothing like that.

Mr. Kincaid, please come out.

It's really very important,

and there's no one else I can talk to.

Okay. Okay.

I'll be in tomorrow.

Thanks.

I'll be grateful to you for the rest of my life...

Even if I live to be 30.

Goodbye.

[Clicks]

I never should have dropped out of pre-med school.

At least I wouldn't have to make house calls.

There you go.

Keep the change.

Danny: Psst.

Mr. Kincaid.

Over here, Mr. Kincaid.

I want to talk to you alone.

Follow me.

Follow you?

Where?

Couldn't we do this on flat ground?

It's easier to whisper.

This is the best hiding place.

You promise what I tell you will be a secret?

Please, kid,

I'm concentrating on not looking down.

Okay.

Now, why am I crouching in this tree house?

I wanted you to be the first to know.

I've decided to leave the family.

You met a girl.

I've decided to go out as a single.

Single what?

Performer.

You know, with anyone else,

I'd say, "you're kidding."

But you never kid, do you?

No.

Why do you want to do this?

Because I have

all the unmistakable earmarks of star quality.

Uh, do... Do you have that in writing?

Yes. It's all there.

I want you to know,

I'm not doing this for the personal glory.

It's for something much more important.

What?

The money.

It's for my family, of course.

Danny, I think it's a terrific idea,

except for one thing.

How could your family

ever hope to replace you?

No, it's an impossible task.

That's a good point.

Well, I guess we're gonna have to forget it, huh?

Don't worry. I'll come up with something.

Can you stick around for a couple of days?

Okay.

Hey, mom, why has Mr. Kincaid been staying with us?

I don't know, dear.

He said he just happened to be in the neighborhood

and thought he'd drop in.

Don't forget to set an extra place for him.

Well, haven't you asked him why he's here?

I didn't want to seem rude.

Maybe he just likes being around kids.

No, he says kids should be seen but not tolerated.

Don't let it bother you, honey.

I don't, mom.

He said it was nothing personal.

Good morning, mom. Good morning, dear.

Did you have a good night?

Hmm. Not really.

Reuben snores in a weird key.

You'd snore in a weird key

if you had a full-grown dog

sleeping on your chest.

Reuben, why didn't you push her off?

I crave affection.

Do you want to sit by me?

Are you a neat eater?

Pretty neat.

Okay.

He really breaks me up.

Where's Danny?

He said he wanted to be alone to work on something.

He's been spending a lot of time on his own

the last couple of days.

Didn't you ask him why?

Why ruin a good thing?

Mom, what are all those people doing

going in our garage?

Why are all those people going into our garage?

I don't know, but I'm gonna go in and find out.

No, no, you stay here and finish your breakfast.

I'll see what this is all about.

Laurie, would you take the eggs off the stove for me, please?

I think I'd better go with you.

[Clarinet playing jazz]

[Tapping and clarinet playing]

Oh, uh, that was terrific, Billy,

but it's not quite what we were looking for.

Talk to me later,

and I'll put you in touch with a good agent.

Okay, next, please.

Danny, what's going on here?

Oh, uh, hi, mom.

I didn't want you to find out this way.

Find out what?

Well, you see,

I'm auditioning for a replacement.

A replacement for what?

For me.

I put an ad in the paper.

Reuben, do you know what he's talking about?

I wanted to break it to you more gently, mom.

Break what to me?

Well, you see, I'm not gonna be with you forever, mom.

Danny, are you sick?

Couldn't we get on with this?

Charlene has to be at her orthodontist

in 15 minutes.

Uh, sure.

Reuben, could you explain my plan to my mother?

I'll try. Danny...

I'll talk to you

right after the audition, mom.

[Children laughing]Could we have a little quiet?

Come on, charlene.

I just don't understand what's happening, though.

Cut to your best number.

Relax now.

There's no need to be worried.

You want to take your braces off first?

And that's the whole story.

I would have told you sooner, but he made me promise.

And besides, it's a delicate situation,

and I didn't quite know how to handle it.

Well, I do.

Oh? Mm-hmm.

It's very simple.

We all just wait outside the garage,

and when he comes out, we all beat up on him.

Oh, Keith, violence never solved anything.

Do you have a better solution?

Yes. I think it would be more effective

if we ostracized him from his peer group.

What does that mean?

We stop talking to him.

Then can we beat up on him?

I hate to disappoint you, Chris,

but we're not gonna use any of these solutions.

I'm gonna put a stop to this whole business right now.

How are you gonna do that?

I have one big advantage.

I'm bigger than he is.

Shirley, look, I...

I don't know much about kids,

but I think you may be making a mistake.

Why?

Well, if you tell him,

he may resent it for a long time.

Reuben, when he was 5 years old,

I stopped him from jumping off the roof

in a homemade parachute.

He resented that too.

Mothers do get resented, you know.

It goes with the territory.

But this could fester and affect

his professional performance with the group.

Well, somebody's got to stop him.

Yes, but I think it might be better if he did it himself.

You don't seem to realize how stubborn my son can be

when he sets his mind on something.

Will you listen to me? I know how to handle this.

Now, here's what I think we should all do.

I want you to know

I'm not doing this to show off or anything.

Sure. We know, Danny.

Pass the salt, will you, Laurie?

And I want you to understand,

I'm doing this to help all of us, and...

Oh, it's okay. We understand. I mean, it's no big deal.

It's not?

Would anybody like more milk?

And I don't want you to worry

about finding someone to replace me.

Laurie: Oh, we're not worried.

It's terrific cake, mom.

Thank you.

Danny: I haven't found anyone yet,

but I'll come up with someone.

Don't give it a thought, kid.

We'll dig up someone.

Come on, Chris, let's go play ball.

I'm real glad you're all taking it so well.

[Band playing "singing my song"]

That was great, Norman.

Keith: Hey, that was really fantastic, Norman.

With you on guitar,

I'll be able to get into some really heavy arrangements.

Danny could never handle anything so complicated.

Danny, uh, this is Norman Farrell.

He's gonna be joining the group.

Hi, Danny. Oh, hi.

You play great.

That's nothing.

You ought to hear him sing.

Yeah, he gives the group a whole new sound.

What was the matter with the old sound?

Uh, could we start at the top again?

Uh, Danny, do you want something?

No.

You're welcome to stay and everything.

It's just that, well, we're pretty busy.

No. I got some work to do on my own anyhow.

Keith...

I'm not so sure we're doing the right thing.

He looks so miserable.

I know.

It's working beautifully.

What's the matter, Danny?

The other kids giving you a rough time

because you're leaving?

No. Just the opposite.

They're being terrific.

Well, then, why the grim face?

Where did you find that Norman?

Oh.

Uh, he cut a couple of singles for our company

and, uh, I remembered he was available.

Hey, by the way, uh, the group is playing

at stage seven again tomorrow night,

and I thought it would be a great chance

for you to break in your act.

Oh, okay.

Unless you've changed your mind, that is.

Change my mind?

Why should I change my mind?

Well, I... I don't know.

Working on your own can sometimes be a bit lonely.

That's a sacrifice I'm going to have to make,

Mr. Kincaid.

Stardom is a lonely business.

Norman, you can change over there.

Okay.

Danny, what are you doing here?

I'm gonna change, of course.

Oh, but the star dressing room

is down the hall.

Yeah, look, uh, you're welcome to stay,

but if you're gonna be a star,

you might as well start acting like one.

Danny, are you all right?

I wish that lady

had never written that column about me.

Why not?

It made me realize my potential.

Is that bad?

Sometimes potential can be a real burden.

Well, you have a long time to realize your potential.

I'm just doing it

because we need the money.

That isn't true, Danny.

You think I'm just doing it for the glory?

Well, we don't need the money.

You tried to make yourself believe

you're doing this for the family when actually

the whole idea of being a star appeals to you, doesn't it?

Is that what you think?

It's true, isn't it?

I guess so.

It's okay.

There's nothing wrong with that,

but I think it's important

that you be honest with yourself and others, don't you?

Good luck, honey.

[Sighs]

Did you talk to him? Yes.

You didn't pull any punches?

I mean, it was man to man?

Well, it was more like mother to son,

but I didn't pull any punches.

Well, what's he gonna do?

Is he going on alone?

I think so.

Oh, but you can't let him go out there alone.

His... his act is terrible.

It'll be a disaster.

Poor little guy.

Emcee: Ladies and gentlemen,

stage seven takes great pleasure

in presenting

the first solo performance of...

Danny partridge.

Uh, good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

I'm, uh, very happy to be here.

[Murmuring]

The first thing I'd like to do,

um...

Is introduce some terrific people.

My family.

Danny.

Come on, Danny.

We can't start without you.

Let's go. Quick.

One, two, three, four.

[Playing "singing my song"]

♪ Singin' it out to the people ♪

♪ singin' it out to them all ♪

♪ singin' my song ♪

♪ and they're singin' along ♪

♪ all of my problems are oh-so-small ♪

♪ all of my problems are so small ♪

♪ I sing it ♪

♪ um ba-de-dum ba-de-da-Dee-Dee-dum ♪

♪ ba-de-dum ba-de-dum ba-de-da-do ♪

♪ ba-de-dum ba-de-dum ba-de-da-Dee-Dee-dum ♪

♪ ba-de-dum ba-de-dum ba-de-da ♪

♪ doo doo-doo-doo doo-doo doo-doo-doo-doo ♪

♪ I sing it ♪

♪ doo doo-doo-doo doo-doo doo-doo-doo-doo ♪

♪ I sing it ♪

♪ doo doo-doo-doo doo-doo doo-doo-doo-doo ♪

♪ doo doo-doo-doo doo-doo doo-doo-doo-doo ♪

♪ yes, I know ♪

♪ I know when a heart sinks low ♪

♪ so low, so low ♪

♪ we can turn to one another ♪

♪ 'cause our love is strong ♪

♪ and we can't go wrong ♪

♪ um ba-de-dum ba-de-da-Dee-Dee-dum ♪

♪ ba-de-dum ba-de-dum ba-de-da-da ♪

♪ ba-de-dum ba-de-dum ba-de-da-Dee-Dee-dum ♪

♪ ba-de-dum ba-de-dum ba de da ♪♪

Thank you, Norman.

We really appreciate everything you've done.

That's okay. It was fun.

See you all later.

Goodbye. Goodbye, Norman.

Goodbye, Reuben, and thank you.

All in a day's work.

You mean, you knew all along I'd come back?

Well, let's just say it was an educated guess.

[Knocking]

May I come in?

Sure.

I'm Sheila Faber.

Your son Danny invited me to watch him perform,

but I was a little late and I must have missed him.

Well, it was a very short performance.

Well, anyway, thank you for inviting me, Danny.

I'm not Danny. I'm Chris.

Chris?

Oh, I'm sorry, Chris.

I got your name wrong in my review.

You mean it was my impish grin

you were talking about?

Isn't he a delight?

Please, miss Faber, we've already done that number.

We certainly have.

Chris, where are you going?

I'm gonna catch Mr. Kincaid before he leaves.

Why?

I have something to talk to him about.

Forget it, Chris.

Believe me, being a star

isn't quite what it's cracked up to be.

[♪♪♪]