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 singing 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

Why did I let you drag me here?

Because you'll be voting in the next election.

Laurie, I already know how to make an x.

You need a political education and this candidate can help you.

Why, he deals with the issues.

He has a clear picture of the political scene.

And besides that, he's adorable.

Adorable? Who needs an adorable congressman?

Shh.

Hello. My name is Richard Lawrence,

and I'm a congressional candidate from the 39th district.

Thank you. It's a very good turnout today.

Are you sure the principal didn't threaten you?

[All laughing]

Let me ask you something, and I'd like an honest answer.

How many of you here know who your congressman is from this district?

Thank you. That's pretty good. His name is Bob antonelli.

The only reason I know that is because he sat next to me in law school.

[All laughing]

But I didn't come here to speak about him or me.

In the next couple of years, most of you will be voting for the very first time.

And I thought we ought to talk about how to cast that vote wisely.

Now you listen to the speeches of most politicians and what do you hear? Real issues?

No. Generalities. Vague promises.

What we need is an enlightened electorate, young and old,

who will demand that our candidates take a real stand on the real issues.

I can't believe it.

I know. All those years of apathy shot down in one afternoon.

I liked him the way he was before. Uninformed and quiet.

After the speech, Keith even volunteered to help out with the campaign.

Really?

Well, yeah, I'm kind of his youth chairman.

His official title is head envelope licker.

I think it's marvelous. He must've really impressed you.

He did. Oh, you should see him, mom. He'd impress anybody.

And he's very unattached.

Well, I saw his picture in the newspaper. He's all right.

All right?

He's intelligent. He's well informed. And he's sincere.

And also charming and very good-looking.

[Doorbell rings] You two are making him sound

like some kind of superstar.

Well, in a way, he is.

Look, just because a politician is intelligent and good-looking,

doesn't mean you have to be awed by him.

Hi. I'm Richard Lawrence.

[Stammering] Hi. I'm Shirley...

Partridge.

Yes.

Hi.

Well, I-I did come over to talk to Keith,

but I must confess, there is another reason.

Friday night I'm having a big campaign rally,

and nothing would kick it off better

than to have the partridge family there performing.

What do you say?

[Sighs] Well,

Mr. Lawrence, you see, we have a manager.

Oh, no, I am perfectly willing to pay the regular fee.

That's not the point.

That is the point. We'll take it.

Danny.

It's just that he's out of town right now,

and we just never accept a date, unless we're able to contact him.

Well, do you think you could?

Well,

I must be honest with you, Mr. Lawrence,

I voted for antonelli the last two terms,

and I'm just not quite sure where you stand on some of the issues.

I see. Would you give me the chance to tell you?

I'd be glad to hear your views.

How about having dinner with me tonight?

To discuss the issues.

Tonight? Oh, well, I can feed the kids, mom.

Now, wait a minute.

Yes. That would be very nice.

Good.

Well, I'd better be running.

Do you like Chinese food?

Yes, I do. Great.

I'll pick you up at 7:30.

See you then.

It's strictly a political meeting.

Oh, sure, mom.Mmm-hmm.

I better get dressed.

Okay, mom.

Did you see the way that mom and Mr. Lawrence looked at each other?

Oh, something is definitely smoldering.

What's smoldering? He asked her out to a Chinese dinner.

I guess you have to be a woman to notice these kind of things.

Right. I noticed it, too.

So, as an attorney, what do you think of Perry Mason?

Oh, well, I...

Hi, Mr. Lawrence. Oh, hi, Keith.

How are you? Okay.

Hi.

Hi.

You look wonderful.

In fact, you look absolutely...

Remarkable. For a woman your age.

Thank you.

I think we better be going.

You two have a wonderful time.

Danny: And don't come home too late.

And don't park at muldoon's point.

And most of all, remember, we trust you.

Good night, Danny.

Good night.

[Sighs]

What's the matter?

That time I noticed the smoldering.

[Humming]

Morning, mom. Morning, mom.

Good morning.

We don't usually get music with our breakfast.

Does it sound like a love song?

All right.

Thank you.

Mom, what are you making us for breakfast?

Shirley: Eggs.

I'll take the usual, boiled for four and a half minutes.

Make mine poached.

Sunny-side up, please.

I like mine with the yolk broken.

How about scrambled?

Scrambled?

Morning, mom. Do you need any help?

Oh, honey, thank you. The toast is about to pop.

And I've gotta run. Toodle-oo.

Toodle-oo? Toodle-oo?

Richard, your speech was just marvelous.

I think your position was very clear on the issues.

That's the fourth time he's called her today.

Relax. Maybe he has stock in the phone company.

I met his daughter today.

Congratulations.

She goes to school back east and she's out here visiting him for his campaign.

So what?

So, maybe, I can pump her for some information.

Keith, I think you're getting just a little paranoid.

Did you hear what she just called him?

Richard. It's not Mr. Lawrence, anymore.

Boy, if it ever becomes dick, I bet we don't get any breakfast.

I'll be back in an hour. I'm meeting dick for coffee.

You see? Dick. Dick.

Keith, look on the bright side.

We're not losing a mother, we're gaining a law firm.

[Sighs]

[Phone ringing]

Hey, some more fliers for you.

You know I could go on licking these mint flavored envelopes all day.

Here she comes.

Hey, if you're so worried about mom, what are you waiting for?

[Sighs] Nothing.

Hi, Cathy. Oh, hi, Keith.

How'd your mom like the stravinsky concert that dad took her to?

Oh, she loved it. She loves big bands.

Hi, daddy.

[Giggles] Oh, hi, honey.

Hi, Keith.

You kids are doing a great job.

Richard: I see you got Danny working, huh?

Hi, Mr. Congressman.

Oh, not yet.

Hi. Hi, dick.

Laurie. I'd like you to meet my daughter, Cathy.

How do you do, Cathy? Nice to meet you.

It's very nice to meet you.

Hello. Hi.

Dick, I've been trying for two days to get in touch with Reuben.

I just can't seem to reach him.

I see.

Look, I know you need someone to perform at the rally,

and, well, I think we've just kept you waiting long enough.

I understand.

So, we've decided to do it.

Shirley, that's marvelous.

On one condition.

We don't wanna get paid for it.

That's a rotten condition.

Look, we've all agreed that we believe in Mr. Lawrence,

and I think that's reason enough to do the rally, don't you?

Laurie: We sure do.

I feel like a celebration. Come on, I'll take us all to dinner.

Oh, well, I'd love to, but you see I have to baby-sit tonight.

I'm available. No you're not.

You're one of the ones I'm baby-sitting with.

Well then, it'll just be the four of us. We'll double-date.

Good.

Oh, Keith, I'll be watching you every minute.

I've spied on him on lots of dates. Don't bother.

Shirley?

I took the first flight as soon as I heard...

What are you doing out of the hospital? Where's your cast?

Shirley: Hospital? Cast?

Oh. Oh, you didn't.

Yes, you did.

Broken leg, huh, Danny?

Well, I wouldn't wanna make a liar out of you.

Wait a minute, Reuben. I have been leaving you messages for two days.

Why didn't you return my calls?

Well, I got your message, Shirley. It's just that I was tied up.

Mmm-hmm.

No, really.

Bonnie kleinschmitt's brother opened a club in the mountains

and I was advising them.

For two days?

Yeah, well, they needed a lot of advice.

Oh.

Well, since we weren't able to reach you,

we decided to play Richard Lawrence's campaign rally.

Yeah. For no money.

No money?

Well, we all agreed that it would be wrong to play a political rally for money.

Oh, we agreed to that, did we?

See? I told you Reuben would stick up for me.

The name is Mr. Kincaid and I agree with your mother.

Shot down by my own kind.

I don't get it.

At first you didn't like the idea of going out with mom and Mr. Lawrence,

and now you can't wait.

I told you, before it seemed like a date.

Now, it's an opportunity.

I thought you considered all your dates opportunities.

Not that kind of an opportunity. I have a plan.

Oh, yeah? Well, what is it?

Yes, Keith. Tell us. What is your plan?

Plan? I just plan on having a great time. That's all.

I think I'll go Polish some nickels.

Keith partridge, if you blow this for mom tonight...

Blow it for mom? Why would I wanna do a thing like that?

Jealousy, maybe.

Jealousy? Oh, come on.

I think you're afraid that Mr. Lawrence is gonna steal mom away from us.

That's ridiculous.

Well, maybe so.

That look in your eye tells me you're planning something.

[Sighs] Laurie, you know me better than that.

I mean, I may have a few minor faults,

but I certainly wouldn't do anything to embarrass mom.

Look at these prices.

Keith, you don't have to shout.

Oh, sorry, mom. I didn't realize.

It's just that at these prices,

can you imagine what it would cost to bring our whole family here.

Then we'd just order the big family dinner for six or more.

Richard: You see, actually, it's cheaper.

Oh.

Sure is quiet here.

Well, I guess I'm just used to the noise at our dinner table.

I tell you, you have no idea what it's like to live in a house running wild with kids.

Oh, I sure do. I was the oldest of seven.

I love large, noisy families.

I stay with my aunt and uncle in the east and they have six kids.

We have a great time.

Mr. Lawrence...

[Stammering]

Would you pass me the salt, please?

Of course.

Thank you.

Keith, why do you need the salt when we don't have anything to eat?

What?

Oh, well, because...

For good luck.

You could use some.

[Knocking on door]

Come in.

Can I talk to you a minute?

Sure, honey.

Look, I wanna be perfectly honest.

Tonight...

Well...

Tonight I was kind of keeping a protective eye on you and Richard.

Oh, really?

I hardly noticed.

[Sighs]

I was that obvious, huh?

Just a little.

You interested in him?

Of course, I am.

I like where he stands on the issues.

I think he'll make a marvelous congressman.

Come on, you know what I mean.

You mean, am I interested in him as a man?

Mmm-hmm.

Yes, I think he's a fine man. Don't you?

I think so.

I'm just not sure if he's sincere.

Honey, if you'll remember,

it was his sincerity that impressed you in the first place.

Yeah. I remember.

Look, I think he's good enough to be a congressman.

I just don't know if he's good enough for you.

[Shirley sighs]

Keith,

I like him very much. And I think he likes me.

Is there anything wrong with that?

No.

We like you, too.

Let me explain something to you.

I'm your mother.

And in that way, I'll always belong to all of you.

But I'm also a woman.

And even with five children who I love very, very much and who I know love me,

there are times when I still feel lonely.

Do you understand that?

Mmm-hmm.

I do now.

Good night.

Good night, darling.

♪ I'm never going to let you go, no

♪ so sit right back enjoy yourself

♪ and watch our new love grow

♪ I'll take you

♪ one day at a time

♪ ooh, I'm gonna take you

♪ yeah, I'm gonna take you

♪ one day at a time

♪ ooh, I'm gonna make you

♪ yeah, I'm gonna make you mine

♪ one day at a time

♪ oh, yeah

♪ ooh, I'm gonna take

♪ yeah, I'm gonna make you mine ♪

[Crowd cheering]

Thank you very much.

It is indeed an honor for us all to perform here tonight

for a man we admire and respect.

A man who has touched each one of us in his own special way.

Ladies and gentlemen, our next congressman and very dear friend,

Mr. Richard Lawrence.

Thank you.

Some time ago, I wrote a very special song for my mother to sing.

We've rehearsed it a few times, but we've never performed it.

Perhaps with a little bit of your help, we can get her to sing it here tonight.

♪ My true love knows the sweetest way to pleasure me

♪ when everything around me seems as black as country night

♪ he lights candles made of lemon

♪ and he loves me by the light

♪ and he says

♪ ain't love easy?

♪ If it's you, love

♪ ain't love easy?

♪ If it's you, love

♪ lots of friendly sweet-talk things to do, love

♪ ain't love easy?

♪ Never thought I'd get off that lonely road

♪ I was traveling on

♪ never thought I'd be anything

♪ but what I've been so very long

♪ but if it had to be that way

♪ to bring my love to me

♪ if it had to be that way

♪ all I gotta say is

♪ ain't life easy?

♪ My true love has a gentle way of loving me

♪ and I'm gonna love him back

♪ probably till the day I die

♪ and the last thing that I'll tell him

♪ right before I close my eyes

♪ I'll tell him

♪ ain't love easy?

♪ If it's you, love

♪ living was easy

♪ 'cause of you, love

♪ lots of friendly sweet-talk lifetime things to do, love

♪ ain't love easy?

♪ Easy

♪ ain't love easy?

♪ If it's you, love

♪ ain't love easy?

♪ If it's you, love

[crowd applauding]

And I see this not as a defeat, but as a starting point.

The work doesn't end just because my opponent won the election.

It is still your responsibility and mine

to make our voices heard on these important issues.

It is a defeat only if we go to the comfort of our homes in silence.

We must continue to bend the ear of our congressmen

and make them constantly aware that our people in Washington must not be complacent.

What's this?

It's a special review of Tuesday's election.

Have you ever seen anyone look more gracious in defeat?

Richard on TV: Impatient to find solutions

[doorbell rings] To the many problems facing the people of this nation.

The responsibility is ours. I know that I...

Hi.hi.

Come on in.

Oh, you're on television.

Again? I'm gonna ask for residuals.

Ah. Do I have the right to turn myself off?

Permission granted.

Thank you.

Oh, dick, I'm so sorry that you lost.

Well, it's not all that bad, you know.

I've thought of one consolation.

If I'd won, I'd be living in Washington.

San Francisco is a lot closer.

There is a better reason.

What's that, Danny?

If you became a congressman, you'd have to take a cut in pay.