Original subtitles

[♪♪♪]

♪ 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 ♪♪

[bus backfiring]

Laurie: Hold on to it, mom. We can make it.

Shirley: I don't know what keeps it running,

unless it's going to the old bus graveyard to die.

Chris: Some mechanic you turned out to be.

Keith: I did the best I could.

I need some decent tools.

Dime makes a lousy screwdriver.

Shirley: Here's the club.

We made it.

[Bus backfires]

We should have been here at noon.

We could've been late for a lot of shows,

but, no, we have to be late

for the turning point of our career.

Look, I thought the bus was in good shape when we left.

I'll fix it later.

Don't worry about it, honey.

We may be two hours late,

but that's not the stuff Greek tragedies are made of.

But this is one of the most important clubs

we've ever played.

It doesn't look all that important.

Listen, the village quarter

is about the biggest tourist attraction

in the state.

Playing here is a big break for us.

Laurie?

Marc!

Oh, I don't believe it. Marc!

Should they be doing that in the street?

Mom, this is Marc Baldwin.

He went to our high school.

Hi. How do you do?

How do you do, Marc?

Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you.

How are you? Hello.

Group.

When I heard you were gonna play the club,

it really blew my mind.

The last time I saw you,

you were planning a career as a UN translator.

Yeah, well, I sort of gave that up

when I found out

I had to learn a foreign language.

What are you doing here? Going to college.

I work at the club nights and weekends.

No, no, you show up at the club, but I never see you work.

I was just saying hello to an old friend.

Good. Good. Now say goodbye.

But I haven't seen her in over a year.

You talk to old friends on my time.

You talk to new friends on my time.

Look, kid, my time ain't your time.

I'll talk to you later, okay?

Okay.

Bum.

That's the kind of help you get today.

College kids. Fast mouths, but slow hands.

Partridges?

I'm Marino, the owner.

How do you do?

How do you do?

You said that you wanted to rehearse all day,

so I set the stage.

So far, I haven't heard any music.

Maybe you been rehearsing "Silent night, " Right?

We're very sorry. You see, our bus...

And you know, in my day,

when somebody said something,

they kept their word.

But I'm a little old-fashioned. I'll adjust.

We did try, but...

Like I said, I'll adjust.

Especially if you bring in a big crowd.

Oh, we will.

Uh, on our last four dates,

we've beaten the house records by 11 to 16%.

How do you know?

How does he know?

He knows.

I'll believe it when I see it.

Come on, I'll show you where you're rehearsing.

Could you show us where we're staying first?

I've been working on the bus and I'm pretty dirty.

You see that building over there?

Oh, yeah. That's the hotel.

Now look up there on the second floor.

Uh-huh.

See the little window? Oh, yeah.

I just showed you where you're staying.

Now can we rehearse?

Where you been?

Everybody ready?

Yeah. Yep.

Oh, I forgot to plug in my guitar.

I remember when you didn't have to plug in a guitar.

If you didn't plug it in, what made it work?

They probably used transistors.

Okay. Let's do "No doubt in my mind."

Chris, your glove.

A gentleman always takes his glove off

before playing the drums.

Sorry. I forgot I had it on.

He even wears it to the bathroom.

Tracy.

Oh, boy.

♪ There's no doubt in my mind ♪

♪ with your wandering smile ♪

♪ you won't be staying very long ♪

♪ oh, but you're gonna find ♪

♪ if you hang around a while ♪

♪ you will remember me ♪

♪ when you're gone ♪

♪ you may not think that my love ♪

♪ counts for much ♪

♪ but you'll remember me, baby ♪

♪ every single time we touch ♪

♪ one of these days you're gonna wish ♪

♪ that you were mine ♪

♪ don't be mistaken, baby you won't be wastin' any time ♪♪

I hired you to cook,

and if you ain't in the kitchen cooking,

and I say you're goofing off.

I suppose if I passed out from smoke inhalation,

you'd accuse me of goofing off.

It's always something else.

You people are always complaining.

Now it's a little smoke.

A little smoke?

Mr. Marino, we've been after you for months

to fix that ventilator.

How can I afford to fix it

with the salaries I pay you clowns?

Hah! You call that a salary?

Bob cratchit got more money from scrooge.

Don't get wise with me.

I demand a little respect.

It's awfully hard to respect someone

when they're exploiting you.

If you feel I'm exploiting you,

why don't you quit, all of you?

I got a better idea. We're going out on strike.

You can't go out on strike!

Why not?

Because you're all fired. Now get out.

Move! Move!

Why are you standing here?

Get out.

If I passed out from smoke inhalation,

you'd accuse me of goofing off.

[Shouting]

[Partridge family stops playing]

Keep rehearsing.

Keep rehearsing!

Let's get the bus moved and unloaded

and we'll check into our rooms.

We have a few hours before the show,

and I want you kids to take a nice, long nap.

Chris and Tracy: Oh, mom, I'm not sleepy.

Shirley: You heard me.

It's gonna be a long night.

I'm gonna go ask Marc

what that commotion was all about.

Hey, good idea. I'll go with her.

Me too.

Let's all go.

Let's all go and unload the bus.

Hi. Hi.

Marc, what was that all about inside?

Oh, Marino and I got into a terrible argument.

Ooh. He fired you?

Yeah, after we told him we were going out on strike.

You're kidding?

Well, what are the issues?

Well, there's no job security.

No benefits.

No sick pay.

Terrible working conditions.

No overtime,

and practically no salary at all.

It's a typical example

of the establishment exploiting the working class.

Well, have you tried reasoning with him?

Oh, sure. I've reasoned with him.

I've pleaded with him.

I've even made him feel guilty.

No, he's not gonna change until he's forced to.

So what are you gonna do?

Well, like the man said...

Walk softly and carry a big stick.

Well, what's it all about?

Name the grievance.

That bad?

What's the management side of it?

What could it be?

It could be right.

You would say that. You're a conservative.

He's a child.

A child conservative.

Call it what you want,

but in your heart, you know I'm right.

Something wrong?

Yeah, I'm... I'm afraid so.

Mom, I can't cross a picket line.

I can't, mom.

I think they're right.

I told you a lot of people were gonna get hurt...

But I didn't think we'd be six of them.

You know, if you ask me,

this whole thing is ridiculous.

Keith, a strike is always serious,

no matter what side you think is right.

Look, I'm not taking sides,

but just because they walked off their job,

doesn't mean Laurie should walk off hers.

There's only one sensible solution...

Binding arbitration.

Hi.

Oh, hi.

Did you get unpacked?

Mm-hmm.

Well, does that mean you've changed your mind?

No.

It just means I didn't want my clothes

to get wrinkled.

Perfect.

Oh, hey...

Please try and understand it.

I don't want to do this to you,

but I do have a responsibility to my conscience.

Honey, you have another responsibility too.

What about all those people

who are coming to see us tonight?

They don't know anything about a strike.

They're paying to see us, all of us.

I don't want to disappoint them.

Danny: They're your kind of people, Laurie.

Little people.

Children from the working class.

Anti-establishment people.

They're coming from miles and miles around.

In conestoga wagons. On foot. By mule train.

Honey...

Those people are going to be disappointed.

Don't hate me, mom.

I'm just trying to do the right thing.

Look, I just want to play music

the best way I know how.

Now, is that wrong?

No. Not for you.

Look, maybe this whole conversation

is purely academic.

Maybe they settled it.

I'm gonna go over and see what's happening.

Good idea. Can I come too?

I guess so.

You're the next best thing to the wall street journal.

Straight-up.

Radical.

Fink. Crybaby.

Wait!

What is this?

Come on.

Who ain't socially responsible?

I got a sister living with me...

37 years old, not a husband in sight.

Her hope chest is overflowing into my whole house.

I got an uncle living with me, 20 years that bum hasn't worked.

But does labor care? Nah.

I take it that management isn't prepared

to make any overtures at this moment?

William tell makes overtures.

I hire new help.

It seems we both have a strike problem.

What both?

My daughter objects to crossing the picket line.

She what?

Let's not anticipate trouble.

No trouble.

I got a contract here, calls for six partridges.

Look, I'm sure we can work something out.

I just can't force Laurie to do something

she feels is morally wrong.

Force her!

According to this contract, she plays unless she's sick.

Well, she did look a little flush.

Some things aren't covered by a contract.

I'm covered,

and that's enough.

Look, lady, I got one relative that works.

He's a lawyer.

Now, if you break that contract,

he will be very pleased to sue you.

Now, is that clear?

Perfectly clear.

I came to work out a problem,

not to listen to your insinuations.

Ah, lady, lady, these are not insinuations.

These are out-and-out threats.

Maybe threats are your solution to a problem,

but they're not mine.

I haven't decided what I'm gonna do yet,

but I will not allow you to intimidate me or my family.

Is that clear?

I'll make it clear to my lawyer.

[Frantic knocking]

Come in, Reuben.

How did you know it was me?

Nobody else I know knocks that hysterically.

Has John l. Lewis come to her senses yet?

She hasn't changed her mind.

Laurie.

Laurie...

You are making me a nervous wreck.

Reuben, you've always been a nervous wreck.

Well, this time, it's for keeps.

I'm sorry, Reuben, but...

But I can't help it.

He is going to sue us for everything we have.

And that is because you are legally wrong.

Calm down, Reuben.

Nothing's been decided yet.

We still have two hours.

Right.

Everything will work out all right.

I'm sure it will... for you.

Now what's that supposed to mean?

Nothing.

Not a thing.

You can't force it out of me, so don't try.

Okay.

Who wants to spend all that money

for an operation anyway?

Besides, I might not even be able to find a donor.

Reuben, there's nothing wrong with you.

Oh, yes, there is. I am not happy.

Keith, help me. Talk to your sister.

Oh, I have.

And I don't think I should talk to her anymore.

I'm beginning to think Laurie's right.

The whole family's gone bananas.

I need an ally. Where's Danny?

Where is Danny?

Oh, no... oh, no.

Mom, Danny's out there talking to the strikers.

Shirley: Oh, no.

I better get him

before he sets labor relations

back 50 years.

Laurie, watch over the kids.

Oh, hi.

Danny, what were you doing?

I've been on a fact-finding mission, mom.

I've been investigating the claims of both sides.

Mm-hm. What claims?

The kitchen is badly ventilated.

And Mr. Marino does pay them terrible wages.

It would be a step up the social ladder

if they all went on welfare.

It doesn't sound like Marino has much on his side.

Yes, he does.

See, he hires college students

because it's hard for them to find jobs.

Or maybe because they'll work cheap.

Danny: No, I don't think so.

He lets them come in late or take off all together

if they have to study for an exam.

Well, that's something.

See, it all boils down to this...

Mr. Marino claims

they don't respect his authority.

And they claim

that he doesn't respect their rights.

And they're both right.

Which leaves us right back where we started.

I still think we should go on.

After all, we did agree to do the job.

But not at the expense of other people's jobs.

But would it be right to break a contract?

Certainly not legally.

And do we have the right

to disappoint all those people?

Then you want us to perform?

Honey, all I know at this point

is that all of us will perform

or none of us will.

Look, kids,

I'd like to be alone for about a half-hour

to think this thing out, okay?

Sure, mom. Come on.

Mom, I'm really sorry

I got us into this whole thing.

You're doing what you think is right.

I'd be disappointed if you didn't.

I'm so confused now, I...

I don't even know what's right anymore.

It's not an easy decision for anyone to make.

Well, I just want you to know that I respect your judgment.

Whatever you decide to do, well, I go along with it.

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

It doesn't help me to make up my mind...

But it's nice to know.

$137 for tablecloths and napkins.

We must have the sloppiest eaters in town

come here.

[Intercom buzzing]

Yeah?

Receptionist: Mr. Marino,

a Danny partridge is here to see you.

Send him in.

What can I do for you, kid?

I'm a busy man.

Um...

Do you have a key to lock that door?

Sure, why?

Well, could I see you for a minute?

I guess so.

What's this all about?

You'll see.

Come on in.

What are you doing here, bum?

Danny says you're ready to settle.

I'm what?

[Locking door]

This is a form of binding arbitration.

I'm not gonna unlock the door

until you two reach an agreement.

Give me the key.

Before you try

and take the key away from me,

I'd better advise you

of the laws protecting juveniles.

Bum.

And you're a rotten kid.

Hi.

What did they say at the musicians' union?

All grim.

Have you made up your mind yet?

Yes. I'm going to tell Marino now.

Tell him what?

I don't want to discuss it, Reuben.

Oh, no. You have to perform.

Shirley, you can't do this to me.

I'm a veteran.

I have a medal for marksmanship.

What about your children?

Striker: Hey. What are you doing?

What do you think you're doing?

I know. I know!

Music is in your blood.

You can't give up your blood.

You can't give up my blood!

May I help you? No.

I'm Shirley partridge.

I want to speak with Mr. Marino.

I'm sorry.

He's in a meeting

and doesn't want to be disturbed.

You see? He can't be disturbed.

I believe in signs.

Please tell him I'm here.

It's very urgent.

Well, okay.

Mr. Marino?

Marino: I said I didn't want to be disturbed.

Mrs. Partridge is here to see you.

She says it's urgent.

Give me the key so's I can open the door.

Okay, keep the key.

Just open the door.

Ah, Mrs. Partridge.

What a pleasant surprise.

Mr. Marino, I have to talk with you.

This is our manager, Mr. Kincaid.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Partridge,

but right now I'm tied up with labor negotiations.

Well, if you're gonna negotiate,

you should be out there

negotiating with those... kids.

Hi. I bet you never dreamed I'd be a binding arbitrator.

How... easy, mom.

I just applied a little logic and reason.

And a little trickery and deceit.

He makes a great mediator.

You mean everything is settled?

Not quite.

We still haven't figured out

proper ventilation for the kitchen.

Marino: Now just a minute!

I gave in on the raise in pay.

Now what? Now what?

I think we still have a little more negotiating to do.

I'm not gonna stand for this, kid.

You're exploiting me!

Danny...

Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen.

As you probably know, labor and management

had a little clash this afternoon.

But they worked things out.

And the employees have asked me

to dedicate this next song to Mr. Marino.

[Playing "Umbrella man"]

♪ your world is cloudy ♪

♪ blue skies turned to gray ♪

♪ raindrops are fallin' ♪

♪ but why stop and call it a day? ♪

♪ There'll be no stormy weather ♪

♪ as long as you're with me ♪

♪ our love's so together ♪

♪ girl, I love ya you can depend on me ♪

♪ I'll be your... ♪

♪ umbrella man ♪

♪ shower you with all my love ♪

♪ umbrella man ♪

♪ shelter you in my loving arms ♪

♪ umbrella man heaven help me ♪

♪ child, you know ♪

♪ I love you ♪

♪ love you, love you love you ♪

♪ too many nights of love have come and gone ♪

♪ I love you ♪

♪ that's all behind us, girl I know we can get it on ♪

♪ get it on ♪

♪ well, I want your love to be always close at hand ♪

♪ you're heaven-sent to me ♪

♪ we can make it, girl I know we can ♪

♪ I know we can ♪

♪ hey, I'll be your... ♪

♪ umbrella man ♪

♪ shower you with all my love ♪

♪ umbrella man ♪

♪ shelter you in my lovin' arms ♪

♪ umbrella man ♪

♪ heaven help me child, you know ♪

♪ I love you ♪

♪ love you, love you ♪

♪ love you ♪

♪ oh, oh ♪

♪ love you ♪

♪ said I love ya ♪

♪ love you said I love you, girl ♪

♪ umbrella man ♪

♪ shower you with all my love ♪

♪ umbrella man ♪

♪ shelter you in my lovin' arms ♪

♪ ah... ♪

♪ umbrella man ♪

♪ heaven help me ♪

♪ heaven help me ♪

♪ umbrella man ♪♪

[applause]

It was a great gig.

Well, thank you.

I'm just glad everything worked out all right

for you and the others.

Yeah, we made a lot of progress.

You know, if you can overlook his nagging and complaining,

Marino isn't such a bad guy.

But don't ever tell him I said that.

If it'll make you feel any better,

he told me confidentially, "All of my help is bums."

oh, ho, ho!

Hey, hey, I... I got the rough figures.

Yeah?

You broke the house record by between 11 and 16%.

Why you goofing off, bum?

It's my regularly scheduled break.

It's your... he got a regular...

He got it?

Well, you're still a bum.

All aboard, everybody.

Goodbye, Marc.

Goodbye. Bye.

Bye-bye.

[♪♪♪]