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 ♪♪

Reuben: Okay, slow down.

I think we turn left at the next signal.

Danny: You're holding the map sideways.

I knew the map was sideways,

and I was taking that into consideration.

Shirley, when the light changes,

turn left.

Right. Turn right.

Are you sure you know where we are?

Of course I know where we are.

This is a Detroit city map.

Yeah, but are we in Detroit?

Hey, what's the name of that club again?

The fire house.

I never heard of it.

You never heard of Detroit.

That's true.

Shirley: Reuben, are you sure you know where we're going?

Reuben: Why does everyone doubt me?

Of course I know where we're going.

We're going right... there.

Shirley: I thought this nightclub

was in a resort hotel.

Reuben: That's what the booking agent told me.

Shirley: This doesn't look like any resort area I've ever seen,

unless the guests like to play stickball.

Laurie: Oh, my gosh! Mom, pull over!

Is that the world-famous fire house?

Well, it can't be.

It's a real firehouse.

Danny: Now we know where they got their name.

Reuben, this is hardly

the plush nightclub you said it would be.

Well, this must be it.

Look. The temptations were just here.

But the booking agent told me that...

Aw, wait.

I get it. It's a gimmick.

Like that club in Los Angeles that's in an old warehouse.

Yeah, on the outside,

it may look like a condemned firehouse,

but on the inside...

On the inside, it...

It still looks like a condemned firehouse.

[Indistinct speech]

It's not so bad...

The hole in the ceiling looks as good as new.

Hi.

Are you folks lost?

No.

Is... is the owner around?

Which one? There's two of us.

Oh, it doesn't matter. Either one.

Speaking.

You're the owner?

Yeah.

We're the partridge family. You were expecting us.

I was?

You weren't?

No.

If we're not supposed to be here,

where are we supposed to be?

It's a good thing

you didn't lead the invasion of normandy.

Our troops would have landed in New Jersey.

Man, we've got problems.

We've got a lot around here.

Oh, sorry.

I didn't know we had visitors.

This is my brother, Sam.

He's the co-owner. He washes and I dry.

How do you do?

We're the partridge family.

Danny: And this is Mr. Kincaid.

Better known to his friends

as "The pathfinder".

What's up?

I think I'm glad to know you.

Now, are you friends or bill collectors?

Employees.

They seem to think they're gonna work here

for us this weekend.

Here? At the fire house?

I take it you weren't expecting us either.

Not unless you're the temptations.

If you are,

you sure look different in person.

We're much shorter.

The booking agent sent us here.

There must be some kind of mix-up.

Oh, no.

If they sent you here,

what if they sent the temptations

to the wrong place too?

Couldn't do that,

because two wrongs don't make a right.

Ask him where the partridge family

is supposed to be.

Say, man, they're supposed to open here tonight.

You don't send nobody to Tucson, Arizona, man.

That's right. Unless they got sinus trouble.

Come on, are you jivin', man?

Hey, man, later. Okay?

Much later.

Where is the partridge family

supposed to be?

In Tucson, clearing up their sinuses.

If they expect us in Tucson,

they better tell the opening act to fake it for a few days.

We can't get to Tucson in time,

and the temptations can't get here.

Sam, it's not my fault.

The booking agent messed everything up.

I know it's not your fault, brother.

It's just bum luck, that's all.

Well, I can't take it as calm as you, man.

I got to let it out, physically.

I'm going in the kitchen and beat up a head of lettuce.

It never did anybody any good

to beat up on a head of lettuce.

Well, I'm not gonna beat it up,

but I'm gonna lean on it a little.

I know it's none of my business,

but I keep wondering

why you want to beat up vegetables.

Because that's the only thing I can bruise

that can't bruise me back.

We borrowed money from a guy,

and if we don't open tonight,

we can't pay him,

and if we can't pay him, Monday, the place is his.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Is there anything we can do to help?

Yeah. Don't mess with the lettuce.

It's mine.

Are you boys keeping my place clean for me?

Friends of yours?

No, that's heavy,

the man we borrowed the money from

to go broke.

Hey, how would you kids like to go with me

and get some ice cream?

Great!

That's a terrific idea.

Let's get some ice cream.

Come on.

I don't want any ice cream.

You should do as I tell you.

Mr. Kincaid! I said I don't want any ice cream.

It's my treat! Mr. Kincaid...

I don't want any ice cream.

Well, you know, I got a nice place here.

A little fixing up, and it'll be real nice.

Heavy, this is my place, mine and Sam's.

Oh, then you have this week's payment?

I'll have the money on Saturday,

like I usually have it, man.

You know, that's funny.

There's a rumor going around that you don't have a group.

Where'd you hear that news so soon?

Well, your booking agent is my bookie.

With no paying customers, how are you going to pay me?

Uh, I've been meaning to talk to you

about that, heavy,

and I thought maybe me and you

could set up a little meeting, right?

Say, like, what are you doing two weeks from Wednesday?

Two weeks from Wednesday, I'll be owning this club.

As a matter of fact, I'll be owning it this Monday.

You can't do that, heavy, man.

James brown's gonna be in town next weekend,

and we can make up the money that we owe you.

Hey, James brown working for me?

Maybe I can get his autograph

for my boys.

Hey, boys,

how would you like James brown's autograph?

But you had a good thing.

Why ruin it by doing business with that, that...

I think the word is loan shark.

Because we needed money.

I don't get it.

If you don't have any collateral

for a bank,

what collateral do you have for a loan shark?

Our health.

Oh.

We almost had heavy paid off, man.

Another month and a half, we could see daylight.

What difference does it make, man.

As of Monday, we're gonna be living in the bus depot.

To be perfectly honest, I don't understand your problem.

That's because you never lived in a bus depot.

No, I mean it.

Look, the reason you can't open tonight

is because you don't have a group, right?

It's too late to get a name group now.

Well, I realize we're no substitute

for the temptations,

but it did occur to me

that we're not doing anything,

and we could be of some help.

Now, wait a minute.

Shirley, let's not rush into anything.

I mean, those are gangsters out there.

Well, let's face it,

I get a kink in my neck

when I fall asleep looking over my shoulder.

I think we should do it.

Children should be seen and not heard.

Well, I appreciate it, Danny,

but it's not that simple, man.

We... we can't afford you.

You see, we started this place out

to be a community club, a place for our people to go.

They don't have much, so we don't charge much.

It's the only place they can go

and see a name group for practically nothing.

Sam and I are the only ones who can't afford this place.

The groups know what we're trying to do here

so they play just for expenses.

Great, we can at least get

our expense money back.

Well, you see, the thing is,

I'm not sure you're the right kind of group

for our club.

You mean, because we're white?

No, wow, no.

I mean, our people like soul music, right?

I just don't know if they'll turn out.

Well, we do have somewhat of a reputation.

I think we could bring some people in.

At least it'll prevent you from closing down.

She's got a point.

Then it's settled.

What about the hoodlums?

Don't worry, Mr. Kincaid,

I'll protect you.

I guess the first thing we'd better do

is find a place to stay.

Good idea.

We'll call you when we get settled.

We'll be registered as the singing Smith family.

The groups stay with us.

We have plenty of room.

That's how we save on expenses.

They stay here,

and we cut out all the middle men.

Well, why don't you go

and set up your equipment,

and we'll bring your things up in a minute.

Thanks.

Oh, don't forget

to change your sign out front.

No sweat, little bro. We'll change it.

Wow, they sure are nice people, a.E.

Do you think we have a chance?

Yeah, I think we got two chances...

Slim and none.

Well, how do I look?

Beautiful, honey.

Keith: How much longer before we go on?

[Knocking]

Come in.

Hi. Hi there.

Wow, you look beautiful.

Whoo-hoo!

Thank you.

Yeah. That's a great tie.

Oh, thanks.

Guy couldn't guess my weight.

[Murmuring]

Sam?

Do you have the time?

Oh, yes, ma'am.

Oh, it's 9:30.

Well, what time do you usually start

the first show?

Hmm, around 9:00.

Yeah.

We'd better get going.

When are you going to let the audience in?

Oh, uh...

Well, we already let the audience in.

You have?

They're awfully quiet.

You really look beautiful.

Thank you. You too.

There's no one out there.

I think our audience went to make a phone call,

but he'll be back in a minute.

He?

You mean our entire audience is a he?

It's Albert. You'll love him.

He's a big fan of yours.

I knew we shouldn't have taken this job.

At least then I wouldn't feel so bad

about letting you down. I don't understand it.

We've had a couple of hit records,

and we draw crowds at other clubs.

Hey, Danny, man, it's not your fault.

It's just our people march to a different drum.

Good morning, everybody.

Reuben: How can you be so cheerful?

Well, I certainly wasn't happy about last night,

but we've come up with an idea,

and I think it's a pretty good one.

Yeah, it's sort of far out, but it just might work.

We're going to have another performance.

Thanks, Laurie,

but even if we filled the club to capacity,

we still won't have enough money to pay off heavy.

Well, don't look so defeated.

You haven't heard the idea yet.

Look, what's the use of kidding ourselves?

This whole community club thing

was just a pipe dream.

Now it's over.

Let it rest in peace.

Good morning.

Good morning. Good morning.

Man, don't you know how to knock?

You don't own this place yet.

I heard about your turn-away crowd last night.

You know, heavy, you and them chumps

are about as welcome as rheumatism.

Don't jive me, man.

This trip is strictly friendly, like a housewarming.

Hey, baby, I brought you a present.

See?

How do you like it?

How about you?

Do you like it?

Me? I like it. I like it.

It's simple, bold lettering.

Mr. Kincaid.

I was only expressing a personal opinion

about his simple, bold-lettered sign.

I think it's a rotten sign, man.

No, the sign's rotten.

It's a really rotten sign. It stinks.

It's a stinking rotten sign.

It's rotten and it stinks.

Heavy: Easy, a.E.

Nobody likes uppity debtor.

Yeah, well, we're not gonna be in your debt much longer, man,

because we got a great idea.

Right? A great idea. It's really great.

Tell me about your great idea.

We're gonna tell you, right?

It's great, ain't it?

And it's, uh... Tell us a great idea.

Wait and see.

That's right, man. Wait and see.

Why should we tell you our great idea, anyway, huh?

Who do you think you are?

I don't like your attitude.

And I don't like yours.

You're frightening my children,

so I think you'd better leave before I call the police.

Lady, you'll never play in my club again.

Now, that's an offer too good to turn down.

You'll be out of here Monday morning.

That was really something.

I mean, that was right on him.

Laurie...

Laurie, would you get my blue overnight bag, please?

Sure. What do you want?

Smelling salts.

Never mind. You can use mine.

You can tell us the great idea now

that you got that's gonna save the club

and save the world

and make us all rich and famous.

Are you ready? Yep.

We're gonna have a block party.

Man, don't hog it all.

A block party?

Sure, we'll block off the whole street

and invite everyone we can.

We'll get all the businessmen to chip in.

Free drinks for everyone.

Everything free.

Then we'll take up donations

and save the firehouse.

You know, man, it might work.

I'll bet lucky's restaurant would go for it,

and we'd get some free groceries.

But no, man, there's no time.

We have to get permits,

and besides, who would know about it?

Danny: Look, there's a lot of problems.

There's a lot of us to work them out.

Well, not to blow my own horn,

but I'm a genius at organization.

Hey, man, what have we got to lose, anyway, right?

Even if it fails,

we'll have the biggest party the town's ever seen,

and we'll just go on down in flames.

That's, uh, not the best choice of words.

I'll go get the businessmen together.

I'll go to the police and get the permit.

Listen, I have an idea for a song.

It's sort of an afro thing.

Oh, you haven't heard

I'm the world's greatest musical arranger?

No, I haven't.

I just told you.

Okay, man, you're on.

Laurie, you stay and watch the kids.

Okay, great,

and I can help prepare the food.

What about me? What do I do?

Well, you stay here and organize.

Nobody recognizes my potential.

Hey, brother.

What can I do for you, Sam?

Well, I want 50 loaves of bread.

Oh?

Do you want them to go, or you going to eat them here?

A whole raft of violins, you dig.

Oh, yeah, right!

What's the matter? Can't you dig it?

Yeah, I can dig it. Except for one thing. What?

Where are we going to get a raft of violins?

[Martial arts grunting]

[Knocking]

Excuse me, sir.

Danny partridge is the name.

The reason I'm here

is because we're having a block party

for the Simon brothers.

We hope to save the club

from financial fiasco.

But if we don't,

we're gonna go down in flames.

I saw you were a cultural club,

so I thought you might know

where we can find some violin players.

And I want to apply for a permit

for a block party.

Okay, Ms. Partridge. Where do you live?

San pueblo, California.

And you're applying here?

Lady, that's some block party!

Hey, that's something.

I know a lot about wood because I whittle,

and that's really something.

Okay, little brother. I found three fiddlers.

Now, is there anything else I can do for you?

A few horns? Maybe a harp?

Why don't you invite them all?

It's a party. The more, the merrier.

Ah, hey!

Oh, wow!

Whoa!

And there's 40 more where this came from.

Man, they all kicked in.

If they couldn't supply food,

they're furnishing decorations.

Hey! All right!

It got all around!

I mean, like, people have been coming by

all morning long just giving us things.

Say, we even have 40 pounds of chitlins

cooking in the kitchen. Ooh, hoo-hoo!

What's chiplings?

It's chitlins, and you don't want to know.

[Laughing]

I got the police permit!

Oh, beautiful! Whoo!

At first the policeman thought I was some California weirdo.

He wouldn't believe me when I told him who I was.

I have that problem all the time.

But you did convince him.

Well, our picture isn't on the "10 most wanted" List,

and our name is on the top 40.

Mom, wait till you hear the song I wrote.

A.e. Arranged it.

Yes, it's beautiful.

Yeah.

There's only one small problem, however.

We need an orchestra.

An orchestra?

Keith, where are you gonna get an orchestra?

I don't know.

[March music playing] What's that?

Laurie: Hey, look! One of them is Danny.

Left, left, left, right, left.

Left, left, left, right, left.

Left, left, left, right.

Company, halt!

Hi, mom.

Hi.

I'd like you to meet the members

of the afro-American cultural society

and their newly formed marching band.

["my baby bandala" Plays]

♪ my baby banda-lay-la, my love ♪

♪ I need ya banda-lay-la, my love ♪

♪ oh, oh, I want ya banda-lay-la ♪

♪ hold on, I'm comin' for ya ♪

♪ banda-lay-la ♪

♪ hold on, be there to getcha ♪

♪ I rise with the sun and start my existence ♪

♪ with dreams of a day when we'll move away ♪

♪ far from the hard times poor town's been givin' ♪

♪ and move on uptown to a better way of livin' ♪

♪ ooh, ooh ♪

♪ ooh, ooh, ooh ♪

♪ she's not a beauty ♪

♪ and she don't wear fine clothes ♪

♪ her heart and soul ♪

♪ is all I'm livin' for ♪

♪ hold on ♪

♪ banda-lay-la, my love ♪

♪ oh, you know I need ya banda-lay-la, my love ♪

♪ I want ya banda-lay-la, hold on ♪

♪ I'm comin' for ya ♪

♪ banda-lay-la ♪

♪ hold on be there to getcha ♪

♪ I'll be the fella to save his cinderella ♪

♪ by turnin' her dream world into real life ♪

♪ one day soon ♪

♪ I'm gonna carry bandala away and make her my wife ♪

♪ we're gonna make it, baby ♪

♪ banda-lay-la, my love ♪

♪ be there to getcha ♪

♪ banda-lay-la, hold on ♪

♪ I'm comin' for ya banda-lay-la, my love ♪

♪ you know I want ya banda-lay-la, hold on ♪

♪ you know I need ya banda-lay-la, my love ♪

♪ you know I want ya ♪

♪ I rise with the sun and start my existence ♪

♪ with dreams of a day when we'll move away ♪

♪ far from the hard times poor town's been givin' ♪

♪ and move on uptown to a better way of livin' ♪

♪ we're gonna make it, baby banda-lay-la, my love ♪

♪ be there to getcha ♪

♪ banda-lay-la, hold on ♪

♪ I'm comin' for ya banda-lay-la my love ♪

♪ you know I want ya ♪

♪ banda-lay-la, hold on ♪

♪ you know I need ya banda-lay-la, my love ♪

♪ you know I want ya ♪

♪ banda-lay-la, my love ♪

♪ hey, my baby banda-lay-la, my love ♪

♪ you know I want ya ♪♪

Bye.

Take care. See you.

Well, I guess that's everything.

Yeah, and I'm glad

everything worked out all right for you.

All right?

Man, not only did we pay heavy this week's debt,

but we made enough to pay him everything we owed him.

A.e.: That's right. This place is ours...

Free and clear.

And if you folks ever need a place to play...

For expenses,

you've found yourself a home.

Thanks.

Maybe we'll take you up on that.

Well, I guess we'd better get going.

Take it easy.

Man: Hey, Danny!

Hey, I'm glad I caught up with you, man.

Oh, what's wrong?

Nothing. Stand at attention.

For your dedication and service

in helping our community,

I'm hereby making you an honorary member

of the afro-American cultural society.

Wow, thanks!

Look, mom, I'm official.

Maybe I can start

my own chapter at home.

Well, we'll talk about that

in the bus, Danny.

Bye. Goodbye. See ya.

[Kids on bus yell goodbye]

[Engine starts]

[♪♪♪]