Original subtitles

♪ Hello, world, hear the song that we're singin'

♪ come on, get happy

♪ a whole lot of lovin' is what we'll be bringin'

♪ we'll make you happy

♪ we had a dream we'd go travelin' together

♪ and spread a little lovin' then we'd keep movin' on

♪ somethin' always happens whenever we're together

♪ we get a happy feelin' when we're singin' a song

♪ travelin' along there's a song that we're singin'

♪ come on, get happy

♪ a whole lot of lovin' is what we'll be bringin'

♪ we'll make you happy

♪ we'll make you happy

♪ we'll make you happy

I suppose you all know why we're all here.

I don't know why we're all here.

Neither do I.

It's okay. Just go with the crowd.

Well, mom's on her way.

You know, I'll have to admit, this might be one of your better ideas.

Well, personally, I don't see why we had to form a grievance committee.

I mean, why couldn't we just go to mom individually with our complaints?

Like he said, there's strength in numbers.

What's that? The hot seat.

Shirley: Kids.

Okay, here she comes. Everybody, take your places.

Remember, the key word is "unity."

All right. Here I am.

Okay, Danny.

What's all this talk about a grievance committee?

Well, it's...

Take it, Keith.

It was all his idea. My idea?

You were the one... Shirley: Go ahead, Keith.

Well, we were gonna demand that...

We were gonna ask, maybe...

Take it, Laurie.

Um, I was going to demand...

That is, question your rule about having to get home from dates at a certain time.

But it's a good rule. I don't get enough sleep anyway.

Danny, surely you have something to complain about.

Who, me?

I thought we were here to rehearse.

Hi, everybody. What's going on?

It looks like a court-martial.

The grievance committee is copping out.

Grievance committee?

What's wrong with it? It's the American way.

You mean you kids are complaining

about the way your mother handles her job?

We weren't complaining. We were just offering some helpful hints.

Oh.

Well, maybe it would have helped if you'd seen this first.

Shirley: What is it?

The latest issue of the women's journal.

I'm looking at a miracle.

Mom?

You've been named mother of the year.

Mother of the year. I can't believe it.

I think it's really terrific.

I don't know what to say.

Well, you better think of something.

You're gonna have to say it in front of about 100 presswomen.

I am?

The magazine's having its awards' dinner

next Saturday night in Sacramento.

Whole family's invited.

I already bought the plane tickets.

Now, all kidding aside, you deserve to be mother of the year.

We may not always show it, but you'd get our vote every time.

Wait a minute.

We didn't get any campaign promises.

All right. Here's one.

How about a day in the country?

We'll drive to Sacramento.

Sounds great.

Drive?

But I already bought the tickets.

Well, it will give the mother of the year a chance to spend some time

with her grievance committee.

Laurie: It's beautiful out here, mom.

Taking the old highway was a great idea.

Keith: Yeah, this part of the country

is where people really live the good life. Fantastic.

What do you think, Danny? I'm hungry.

Shirley: Okay. There are lots of places to eat on this old road.

Next stop, lunch.

Keith: That's terrific.

The roadwork ends, and so does the road.

So? We've only wasted an hour.

We still have plenty of time and plenty of things to see.

I'd like to see a triple burger with lots of onions

and plenty of French fries.

I think we all could go for a little lunch.

Good idea.

We'll stop at one of those quaint little restaurants.

Two egg sal San, kill the tomato. Give me a taco on the side.

Cheer up, mom.

It may not be quaint, but it's... It's authentic.

Right now I wouldn't care if it was the school cafeteria.

I could eat a horse.

Be careful. That might be their special.

What's the matter, mom? My billfold.

You better eat more than that.

I can't find it.

Oh, no.

I must have left it in my other purse.

[Sighs] Terrific, that means you don't have any money.

Wait a minute. Here's some change.

Fourteen cents.

I've got, uh...

Eighteen cents.

One quarter.

Now we're getting somewhere.

Here's our souvenir baseball money.

Come on, cough it up.

Figures.

What would you guys do without me?

Do you mind if I answer that after we eat?

How much is that, mom?

$1.57 and two Hank Aaron nickels.

We don't have anything to worry about.

Just tell her you're mother of the year.

Danny, if ever there was a time

I wouldn't want anyone to know that, it's now.

Okay, no stew today.

No toast 'cause the toaster's broken.

Don't take the potatoes. Take the tomatoes instead.

What's your pleasure?

Hey. Mother of the year?

Mother of the year, huh?

[Waitress laughs]

Yeah, you know, I seen your picture on the cover of women's journal.

And this must be your family, right?

Yes. Hi, hi.

I read that article about five times.

That's right. About how good you treat 'em.

You know, I think it's just wonderful the way you're raising 'em.

You're so conscientious and everything.

Thanks. It's my pleasure.

Well, now, what would you like to order

for these beautiful, growing, healthy children, huh?

One plain hamburger, a cherry soda, and six straws.

That's it?

Mother of the year, huh?

Okay.

No dessert, huh? Figures.

No thank you.

And, uh, I'm sorry.

All I have left for a tip is 11 cents.

I'll mail you the rest.

Just a minute here.

Here, take this for a bowl of hot soup later, huh?

Wait a minute. Take these for the little ones.

Here. Poor dears.

Go ahead. Go ahead.

She runs next year, she don't get my vote.

If I hadn't been dying of hunger,

I would have died of embarrassment.

I got a great idea.

Let's not stop again until we get to the hotel.

Agreed.

[Siren wailing]

Kids, I think we're gonna have to make one more stop.

Hi, there. I'm deputy haynie.

Welcome to crater city. How do you do?

You mean you stopped us just to welcome us to town?

Nope. I stopped to give you a speeding ticket.

Speeding?

But I was going slower than the speed limit.

Oh, I suppose you didn't see that "20" sign back there?

No, I didn't.

It must have been hidden by the trees.

Yeah, that's right.

A lot of people I stop complain about that.

Mom, I think this is a speed trap.

You can call it what you want, you still get a ticket.

That's not fair.

Yeah, it doesn't have to be fair. That's the law.

Are you folks really the partridge family?

I mean, the ones that make those records and everything?

Yes.

Really? Really.

Boy! Celebrities right here in crater city.

Well, I suppose that means you'll forget about the ticket, then, huh?

[Laughs] No.

You know, this is the first ticket I ever wrote for a celebrity.

Can I have your autograph?

I'm not going to sign that.

Well, if you don't,

that means I'm gonna have to take you to see the judge.

Well, you just do that.

Mom, it's getting late. We have to get going.

It's never too late for justice.

Well, here we are.

Danny, you stay with Chris and Tracy.

But, mom, you might need my legal know-how.

I don't need any legal know-how.

I'm innocent.

Well, y'all just go right on in and make yourselves at home.

I'll see if I can find the judge.

Keith, if things get rough, use it.

Judge. What is it, haynie? I'm on my way fishing.

Judge, I got a speeder out front.

What in tarnation did you bring him here for?

Just tell him he's fined, get his money, and let me go fishing.

Judge, these are show-business folk.

What do you want me to do, cast their feet in cement?

No, judge. Show-business folk make a lot of money.

That means they can pay bigger fines.

That's why I like you, haynie. You think like me.

[Sighs] Mom, why don't we just pay the fine and go?

Because it's the principle of the thing

and a good lesson for you kids. Stick up for your rights.

I still say it would be a lot easier if you would just tell them

that you're the mother of the year and...

Keith... haynie: Court is now in session.

This here's judge mcelwreath.

Judge, the partridge family.

Mrs. Partridge, this is indeed a pleasure.

I was in my study going over linley v. Fairbanks,

but I gladly take time out of my day

to see that persons such as you are treated fairly.

Now, Mrs. Partridge, what seems to be your problem?

We were given a ticket by this man.

Who? Deputy haynie? Yes, he's a fine officer.

But it was an unfair ticket. I didn't do anything wrong.

I see here there was a sign

that said the speed limit was considerably less

than the speed you were driving.

But I didn't see the sign. It was hidden behind...

Mrs. Partridge, the law's the law.

That'll be $15 fine for speeding,

$10 for gas and oil.

Gas and oil? For what?

For the wear and the tear on the police car that brought y'all here.

That all comes to exactly $35. You can pay the bailiff.

I'm the bailiff.

I will not.

But you have to. I'm the bailiff.

I mean, I will not pay that fine.

Mcelwreath: I'm afraid you have no other choice.

It's either that or go to jail.

Then I'll go to jail.

Mom...

Wait a minute.

You can't put the mother of the year in jail.

Keith. Mother of the year?

That's right, mother of the year.

Right here. See that?

Excuse us.

We can't throw the mother of the year in jail.

But, judge, the mother of the year got a ticket.

Do you realize what'll happen to me at the next election?

There's not a woman in town will let her husband vote for me.

Judge... if I go, you go.

Now, Mrs. Partridge, surely we can work this thing out.

We'll take a check.

I don't have one.

How about an iou?

Forget it.

I'll take 50 percent off. After all, you're mother of the year.

Never.

Okay, okay, no fine.

Just sign the ticket and you can go.

I won't sign anything.

That isn't asking much, just a signature.

I'd rather go to jail.

There. You win. I lose.

Case dismissed. Haynie: Judge!

Oh, shut up, haynie, and go prune your trees.

Keith: [Sighs] Well, all isn't lost.

At least we can still get to the hotel in time for dinner.

Shirley: Right.

[Engine sputters]

Keith: Wrong.

Laurie: Oh, no. How could we run out of gas?

Danny: Easy. We're having so much fun, it slipped our mind.

Well, now what are we gonna do?

We could form a prayer circle.

I guess we ought to stop a car.

Are you kidding? I haven't seen five cars on this road all day.

Don't worry. I'm sure there'll be a car along soon.

Hey, mom, here comes a car!

Hold it! Stop!

Hi, honey. Need a lift?

I sure do.

Well, hop in, baby, and let the good times roll.

Come on, kids.

Keith: Hold onto him. Don't let him go.

Nice going, mom.

Mom?

[Tires screeching]

Wait!

What happened?

I don't think he was interested in the family plan.

There's another one.

Laurie: Wait a minute!

All: Hey! Wait! Wait!

Here comes another one.

Shirley: Hold it, please.

We need gas. I don't have any money.

There are six of us. Five are children.

Three are very small children.

Please. I'm the mother of the year.

Bye. See ya!

Okay, everybody, into the bus.

[Tracy and Chris laughing]

Tracy, Chris.

Where in the world have you been?

Danny found this great place to play.

Danny? Where is he, anyway?

Danny: Help!

Mr. Kincaid, are you sure Mrs. Partridge knew the dinner was tonight?

I'm sure, Mrs. Malfussi.

They were probably having so much fun on the drive down,

they just lost track of the time.

You know how it is when you're having fun.

No, I don't.

Shirley: Psst!

Shirley: Psst! Reuben!

Shirley?

How did you know my first name?

Uh... just a guess.

Yes. Shirley: Psst.

Where are you? Shirley: Back here.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

Oh!

What happened?

You look like you just finished basic training.

[Sighs] Reuben, it's a long story,

and you wouldn't believe it, anyway.

I've already told them we were here,

so we're gonna go upstairs to the room and change.

I'll... I'll stall.

Here she is, Shirley partridge.

[People murmuring]

Mother of the year.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

[Chuckles] Well, I...

I guess you're all wondering why I look this way.

That's a good question.

It's a... It is a good question. It's...

It's a question that deserves an answer, and, uh...

I think mom's in a spot.

Good thinking.

Shirley: I... I wish, I...

[Stutters] I wish I could...

Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen.

I think it might be a little easier for me to explain.

You see, we're a very close family.

That's not to say that we don't have arguments, 'cause we do.

But we love each other very much.

And that keeps us together through thick and thin.

[Sighs] And believe me, today was through thick.

Um, I'd like you to meet the rest of my family.

Laurie, Danny, Chris and Tracy.

We just wanted you to know that, as far as we're concerned,

you couldn't have made a finer choice for mother of the year.

She's a great, great lady.

[People applauding]

Now, if you'll excuse us,

we'll go change and sing for you.

I don't know about the rest of you,

but I think our mother of the year and her family

look fine just the way they are.

[People applauding]

Danny.

What are you doing?

Mrs. Malfussi: Without further ado,

I would like to present not only the mother of the year,

but the family of the year, the partridge family!

[Playing as long as there's you]

♪ When all my dreams are scattered to the wind

♪ I'll begin again

♪ and you're the reason why

♪ when all my friends no longer know my name

♪ and say I'm not the same

♪ I know that I'll get by

♪ as long as there's you

♪ at the end of every road

♪ to give me all your love

♪ and a gentle hand to hold

♪ as long as there's you

♪ at the end of every night

♪ to tell me it's all right

♪ and shield me from the cold

♪ I'll be strong and I'll be tall

♪ there is nothing I can do

♪ I may stumble, I may fall

♪ I won't care if there is you

♪ at the end of it all

♪ I won't care if there is you

♪ at the end of it all

♪ there is nothing I can do

♪ I may stumble, I may fall

♪ I won't care if there is you

♪ at the end of it all

♪ at the end of it all

♪ at the end of it all

Well, go ahead.

I can take criticism.

In fact, I want you to feel free to make any suggestions you wish.

That is, within reason, of course.

Well, this isn't a grievance committee, mom.

Shirley: It isn't?

Keith: Uh, not exactly.

You see, we're gonna present you with another award.

Tracy.

"Year's worst tour guide."

[All cheering]

Thank you. Thank you very much.

And I wish to thank all of the little people who made this possible.

Hi, Reuben. Yeah.

If the grievance committee is back in session,

I'd like to state a complaint.

You've got the floor.

Mmm.

I drove back along your mother's scenic route.

Did you know there was a speed trap on that highway?

No kidding. Yeah. I got hauled in.

By a deputy named haynie?

And did the judge have a little fishing hat?

And when they found out you were the manager of the partridge family,

they raised the fine, right?

How'd you know that?

Oh, a wild guess.

[All laughing]