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

(Imitating Humphrey bogart) Okay, sweetheart, your attendance slips or your life.

Hi, Keith.

How'd you know it was me?

Because you're the only one I know who does bad cagney impressions.

It was supposed to be bogart.

All right, what are you doing in Cindy brown's locker?

Oh, it's you, Keith.

Hi, Cindy. Scared me half to death.

Well, I'm sorry.

I guess I'm just nervous about exams.

Yeah, so am I.

You should be.

See you later, Cindy.

You really look worried.

I have three tests tomorrow, and I just have to do well.

I'd die if I got all c's again.

Are you ready for felcher's math test?

I could never be ready for that.

I'm just hoping I can do well enough

in my other courses and make it balance off.

(School bell ringing)

Oh, wow, now I'm late.

Laurie, would you drop this in Mr. Felcher's mailbox for me?

Oh, sure.

Got to run. See you later.

Hi.

Mr. Felcher.

Mmm-hmm.

I think you better come along with me, miss partridge.

Why?

Principal brown will be very interested to hear

what you're doing with tomorrow's math test.

Look, why don't we get started?

When Laurie gets here, she can play faster and catch up.

Hi. Sorry that I'm late.

Danny: Oh, don't be sorry.

We couldn't have started till our pianist got here, anyway.

Keith: Laurie, rehearsal starts at 3:00.

That's when the little hand is on the three and the big hand is straight up.

All right.

I seem to remember you two being late before.

All right, let's get started.

One, two, one, two, three.

Keith: ♪ hello, baby

♪ yes, it's me again and I'm

♪ looking for the rainbow's end

♪ it's hidden in your mind

♪ I'll tell you, baby

♪ I think I can bring you through

♪ and the answer lies within those lonely

♪ eyes of opaque blue

♪ it's you all: ♪ it's you

♪ it's you all:♪ it's you

♪ I'll never find another love like you

all: ♪ like you

♪ it's you all: ♪ like you

♪ I would die if you should leave me

♪ baby, baby, please believe me

♪ hello, baby

all: ♪ hello, baby

♪ yes, it's me again once more

all: ♪ me again once more

♪ oh, I know that we can find the love

♪ that we once had before

all: ♪ we once had before

♪ I'll tell you, baby

all: ♪ tell you, baby

♪ I can't face another day

all: ♪ face another day

♪ and before the sun goes down tonight

♪ I've got to hear you say

♪ it's you all: ♪ it's you

♪ it's you all: ♪ it's you

♪ I'll never find another love like you

all: ♪ like you

♪ it's you all: ♪ like you

♪ I would die if you should leave me

all: ♪ baby, baby, please believe me

all: ♪ it's you ♪ it's you

♪ I'll never find another love like you

all: ♪ like you ♪ like you

all: ♪ like you

♪ I'll never find another love like you

all: ♪ like you

♪ like you all: ♪ like you

♪ I'll never find another love like you ♪

well, it's a good thing you showed up,

or the song would have been perfect.

Let's take a short break.

We only did one...

Like I said, let's take a short break.

That's our Keith. Talented, handsome and wishy-washy.

Honey,

what's wrong?

Mom, I'm in a lot of trouble. They think I stole one of Mr. Felcher's math tests.

What?

I didn't take it, but they think I did.

Did you tell them you didn't take it?

Of course.

But it's a little hard to get a teacher to believe you

when he's holding your wrist and you're holding his test.

How did you get the test?

Cindy brown gave it to me.

Cindy brown?

I know, mom, but she's in a really tight spot.

(Sighs) Honey, other kids have grade problems, but they don't steal tests.

Other kids aren't the principal's daughter.

She thinks that average is another word for failure.

Laurie, this is very serious.

You can't take the blame for stealing a test.

But I won't have to.

I mean, I know Cindy. She'll tell the truth about what happened.

(Sighing)

You're risking an awful lot on that.

(Sighing)

Well, you have to give your friends a chance, don't you?

Yes. You do.

And don't worry. Everything will work out fine.

Want a "Free laurie" Armband?

No. But I would like to know how the whole school found out about this.

Ah.

Well, it seems marcia merdine overheard felcher telling another teacher...

Couldn't she keep it to herself?

Old megaphone mouth?

That's like asking Mick Jagger to give up his lips.

(Sighing)

Have you found out who did it yet?

No. No, I haven't.

Well, just want you to know one thing.

I'm with you.

Thanks.

See you.

Laurie?

I... I was gonna call you last night, but I couldn't.

Laurie, you've got to believe me.

I never meant for this to happen.

How could you take the test in the first place?

(Softly) I had to.

I hardly had enough time to study for my other tests.

There was just no way I could pass math.

(Sighing)

Laurie, I'm scared to death.

Do you have any idea what my father would do if I failed a course?

What'll he do if he finds out you stole a test?

He'd never understand.

"principal's daughter caught cheating."

doesn't sound too good, does it?

(Sighing) Neither does "Expel Laurie."

I know.

And I'll understand if you turn me in.

(Sighing)

Cindy, I don't want to turn you in.

I want you to try and...

Good afternoon, girls.

Hi, Brad.

I'm sorry to burst in on your little chat,

but I have something for you, Laurie.

What's this?

As prosecuting attorney for the student court of San pueblo high,

it is my duty to serve you with this summons.

Summons? Brad: Yes.

You are to appear this Thursday after school

to face charges of examination dishonesty,

I.e. Ripping off a test.

You may serve as your own defense or receive aid of counsel.

Until Thursday.

(Sighing)

Cindy, I...

Cindy!

(Door opening)

Hi, mom. Hi, mom.

Hi, kids.

I'm afraid to ask how everything went at school today.

Well,

this definitely wasn't one of my better days.

Her trial is Thursday.

Trial?

In student court.

Before a jury of her peers.

But look at the bright side.

In our system, the person who's innocent has nothing to worry about.

(Softly) Most of the time.

Laurie,

this has gone far enough.

I know it looks bad, mom, but Cindy will come through.

Does she know about the trial?

(Sighing)

Yes.

And she still hasn't said anything about it.

Mom, she's so frightened about how her father is gonna take this.

Honey, I'm not concerned about that. I'm concerned about you.

All I need is a little more time.

Laurie, the trial is on Thursday.

I'm not gonna let this go on much longer.

Understood?

Understood.

(Knocking)

Can I come in?

Sure.

Laurie, uh,

I've been your brother for quite some time.

In fact, I was your brother even before you were my sister.

And, uh... Well, even though you are my sister,

I still think you're pretty terrific.

Oh, thanks.

An older brother feels a certain responsibility towards his younger sister.

You know what I mean.

Like, remember the time Mr. Murphy's window got broken

and they thought you threw the baseball through it,

but I stood up and said I did it

just so you wouldn't get in trouble? Remember that?

You did do it.

I know, but that's not the point.

(Sighing)

The point is that there's the trial,

and I just don't want to see anything bad happen to you.

Besides, I've had more experience with legal matters than you have.

You know I've always wanted to go to law school.

And, well...

I've seen almost every Perry Mason episode,

even the reruns.

And, uh... Well...

I thought...

Laurie, what I'm trying to say is

I'd like to be your defense attorney, if you'd want me to be.

Well, I...

I'd love you to be.

(Both chuckling)

Okay, now let's start with the basics.

Point a, did you steal the test?

No.

Write that down. She didn't steal the test.

"didn't steal the test."

point b, do you know who did?

Well, uh...

Yes, I guess so.

She knows who took the test.

"knows who took the test."

point c, who?

I can't tell you. She...

What do you mean, you can't tell me? I'm your attorney.

Because if I tell you why I can't tell you,

it would be the same thing as telling you.

So I can't.

I'd go for permanent insanity.

Laurie, how do you expect me to defend you if you won't talk?

I'm sorry. There are just certain things I can't talk about.

Keith: Mom, she knows who took the test, but she won't tell me.

How can I defend her if she won't tell me anything?

She must have a good reason.

Just have to find out for yourself.

Maybe if I had a character witness.

I can handle that. I'm an expert at character.

I have a lot of it myself, you know.

Well, I do. Are you finished?

Yeah.

A character witness will help, but our key problem is to find out who she's protecting.

Who would know?

Well, when I was Laurie's age,

I used to tell my girlfriends everything.

I've got it. Laurie's girlfriends might know.

That's a good idea.

But which ones?

She has more friends than Hugh Hefner.

Well, who are her closest friends?

Well, Carol,

Melinda, Harriet.

Any others?

There's Cindy.

Right, Cindy fairenholds.

No, wait a minute. Laurie and Cindy fairenholds aren't good friends anymore.

What about Cindy brown?

Keith: Of course, Cindy brown. She knows Laurie better than almost anybody does.

Why didn't I think of that?

Well, what do you think? Do we have enough to go on?

I think it's a great beginning.

Come on, Danny. We have a case to prepare.

Morning.

Morning. Mom, we don't have time for breakfast.

What's the rush?

We have evidence to gather and witnesses to talk to.

Justice does not wait for breakfast.

Don't worry about a thing. We have everything under control.

Come on, Danny.

If I were you, I'd worry.

Why?

'Cause your lawyer forgot his briefcase.

Hi, Melinda.

Hi, Keith.

I want to talk to you about Laurie.

I need some witnesses to testify for her.

I'd love to.

That is, if you want me to.

Well, terrific.

You can tell the jury that you know Laurie partridge

to be a person who couldn't possibly do what they said she did.

I'll say whatever you want me to, Keith.

Great.

Under one condition.

What's that?

That you take me to the dance Friday night.

Pick you up at 8:00.

Pardon me.

Do you happen to be acquainted with miss Laurie partridge?

Yeah, sure. I know her.

Would you be willing to be a character witness for her at her trial?

I'd be glad to.

Great, just sign here.

You know, anybody who'd steal one of felcher's tests is all right with me.

Thanks.

What do you mean, you think I'm the one?

I think you're the one who can tell me what I need to know.

I can?

I think Laurie's innocent.

I'm sure you're right.

And I think she's covering for someone.

You do?

And I think you're the one...

I think you're the one who can help me find out who it is.

So, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a couple of questions.

I feel kind of silly about the first one.

Could I borrow a quarter for a taco?

Well, we've built up a terrific case

for the prosecution.

I'm almost convinced myself that she's guilty.

You know, she's probably been stealing spare change from us for years.

Danny!

Look, you can't just give up. You have to have faith in her.

I'd rather have evidence.

Let's face it, mom. They've got an open-and-shut case.

Just think, tomorrow my sister's gonna be a convicted test thief.

Look on the bright side. She'll be the cutest one on the chain gang.

(Sighing)

Well, I guess that does it.

Time's up.

Time's up? What does that mean?

Mr. Brown, I'm very glad you asked to see me. I was about to call on you.

We're very concerned about this whole matter, Mrs. Partridge.

I know Laurie wouldn't steal an exam.

I'm convinced that she's trying to cover up for one of her friends.

You are?

I'm sure. That's what makes it so disturbing.

I'm powerless to do anything about it. I've tried talking to her.

What did she say? Nothing.

All I found out was that the two of you have a great relationship.

You know, I'm envious. I wish I had that kind of a relationship

with my daughter, Cindy.

Well, Laurie does discuss her problems with me, if that's what you mean.

That's what I mean.

Talking isn't easy for us.

Cindy knows that I want her to do well at school,

but sometimes I try to find out about an exam.

She only gets upset.

Mr. Brown, if you don't mind my saying so,

maybe you're putting too much pressure on her.

You know, sometimes we expect our children to be something

they're just not capable of being.

Maybe.

But just last night I tried to tell Cindy

how proud I was that she did so well on Mr. Felcher's math test.

She just cried.

Then I tried to change the subject and talk to her

about Laurie's problem, and she cried even harder.

You know, it's just not easy being a parent sometimes.

Mrs. Partridge,

you know who Laurie's protecting.

Mr. Brown, I think we both know.

Thank you, Mr. Felcher. The prosecution rests.

Your witness.

Mr. Felcher, could you please tell the court

what the defendant's grades are in your class?

Felcher: She carries a solid b average.

Uh-huh.

Isn't it odd that a student with a b average should want to steal a test?

Yes. Aha!

However, the test was in her hand.

Oh. Right.

Your honor, I move that this witness's testimony be stricken from the record.

On what grounds?

On grounds that it might incriminate my sister.

Forget it.

(Gavel bangs)

Judge: You may step down, Mr. Felcher.

Laurie, you've got to let me put you on the stand.

No, I won't do it, Keith.

(Gavel bangs) But, Laurie...

Judge: Does the defense wish to call any witnesses?

Witnesses.

You know, the people who tell your side of the story?

Well, your honor, I'd like to call witnesses.

I really would.

But they're not here.

When will your witnesses be here?

(Door opening)

Danny: Just a minute!

I have important new evidence.

What are you doing?

It's a note.

There's nothing on it.

Fake it. It works for Perry Mason.

Your honor, I have just received some startling new information.

And I'd like to call for a postponement of this trial,

so that I may pursue the new development in my client's case.

Forget it.

Look, Mr. Partridge, if you have no witnesses and no evidence...

Your honor,

I do have one witness.

I call Laurie partridge to the stand.

Keith, I told you... It's our only chance.

I don't care. I'm not...

I hate to interrupt you two, but we don't have all day.

The jury has to get back to gym class.

Will the defendant take the stand?

State your name, please.

Laurie partridge.

Laurie,

did you steal that test?

I did not.

Do you know who did steal the test?

I repeat, do you know who stole the test?

Miss partridge, you have to answer.

I can't.

Your honor, I submit that Laurie partridge

did not take Mr. Felcher's math test.

She's incapable of such an act.

What she is capable of, however, is a deep loyalty and trust

towards those she calls her friends.

She's demonstrating that now by protecting one of them.

I regret that the defense counsel was unable

to discover the name of this person.

The name is Cindy brown.

(All murmuring)

Laurie, "Sorry" Is such a small word,

but I am sorry for what I put you through.

I don't know what else to say except

you showed me what real friendship is all about.

Thank you. It's okay, Cindy.

I'd like to thank you, too, Laurie.

What you did opened my eyes to a lot of things.

You've got quite a daughter there, Mrs. Partridge.

So do you, Mr. Brown.

If you will excuse us now, we have a lot to talk about.

(Sighing)

I can't believe we won.

No thanks to you. What?

(All laughing)

Yeah, well, although you two may be rotten as lawyers,

you're not too bad as brothers.

Well, our fees run a lot higher than a hug.

(All laughing)

Let's go.