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

Mr. Phelps,

could you help me, please.

I'll be right with you, Mrs. Fromacher.

Cincinnati whizzers! How much do we have left?

Um, I've 42 cents.

Wait, I've got some money.

Great. Now we have 46 cents.

I don't like to carry large sums of money.

Well, I guess we can forget about the yo-yos.

Not necessarily.

Wait a minute, you can't do that.

I just did.

It's easy. Go on. Phelps ain't watching.

But I... chicken?

I could take one anytime I feel like it.

I just don't feel in the yo-yo mood.

Let's face it, some guys just don't have what it takes.

Okay, now what?

We make our getaway. Come on.

Danny?

Yes, sir?

Could you come here a moment?

I think I'll get a little fresh air. Bye.

Mrs. Fromacher's trying to decide on a present for her grandson,

and he's just about your age.

So we were wondering whether you'd rather have a boomerang

or a Cincinnati whizzer.

Oh, a boomerang. I hate Cincinnati whizzers.

I wouldn't take one if you gave it to me.

You're quite sure, young man?

Positive.

Kids my age hate yo-yoing.

It's too tangly.

Well, I'd love to stay around and talk to you,

but I'm late for dinner.

"Partridges honored. For the first time in this city's history,

"there are six recipients of the San pueblo citizenship award. The partridge family.

"In addition, the chamber of commerce pointed out that

"Keith partridge deserves special merit for his good looks, charm, wisdom..."

And vivid imagination.

Give me that.

"The awards dinner will be held this Friday night

"followed by a special performance by the partridge family."

Hi, Danny.

Um, hi.

Where have you been? It's almost 6:00.

Till 3:30 I was in school. From 3:30 to 4:15, I was at the park.

A lot of people saw me there.

From 4:15 to 4:30, I walked to punky's house.

From 4:30 till now I listened to records, seven of them.

Would you like to know the titles?

Couldn't you be a little more specific?

Sounds like a police report.

I just wanted you to know where I was, that's all.

Well, I better get upstairs and wash my hands.

I'll leave the door open so you can hear me.

Danny?

Yeah, mom?

Is there anything else you'd like to say?

Say? No, what's to say?

Well, I better get upstairs. Don't want to be late for dinner.

Was it my imagination, or is he acting stranger than usual?

He was acting stranger than usual.

Well?

Better not press him. It'll come out sooner or later.

Laurie: Well, to me, love is total.

It's a direct communication between two people.

The key word is honesty.

Right. When you love someone, you know you can trust them.

That's another big part of it, trust.

Yes, but you have to earn that. You just can't take it.

Sure you can. Haven't you ever heard of stolen kisses?

Cute, Keith.

Mom, when was the first time you were in love?

Oh, I guess I must have been about nine.

Tommy Miller walked me home from school. We stopped in the park,

and he'd just started to carve our initials in a tree,

and a policeman came up and caught us.

All right, I can't take it anymore.

Milking me with your slanted questions.

Keith, with that suspicious look on his face.

You've known all the time!

Known what?

You wanted me to confess? Okay, I confess.

I stole it from Phelps' drugstore.

Congratulations. Your trick worked.

Excuse me.

I think someone's waiting to be interrogated.

Our trick worked?

[Knock at door]

Danny?

[Sighs] Do you want to tell me why you did it?

I don't know.

It must have been inflation.

I mean, the price of yo-yos has skyrocketed right through the ceiling.

You better try again.

Okay. Money wasn't the reason.

It must have been the pressures of school.

I mean, it's not like when you were a kid.

They use TV now... Danny.

'Cause punky lazaar called me chicken.

Do you think that's a reason to do things? 'Cause you're dared?

No.

I'm sorry.

Danny, I'm afraid saying you're sorry just isn't good enough this time.

I should take it back to Mr. Phelps and tell him I stole it.

Will you come with me?

If you want me to.

We'll go tomorrow after school.

Oh, Mrs. Partridge, Danny. I'll be with you in just one second.

That's okay. Take your time.

Now, what can I do for you today?

Well, can I talk to you for a minute?

Sure, Danny, what's on your mind?

Oh, not much. How's business?

Fine. Couldn't be better.

That's nice.

Do you remember when I was in here the other day?

Yes.

Well, I sort of took something without paying for it.

As a matter of fact, I sort of stole something.

Here.

I'm sorry.

I'll pay for it if you want and not even keep it.

It takes a big man to admit when he's made a mistake,

and a bigger one to correct it.

I'm sorry and I'll never do it again.

I'm sure you won't.

Thank you, Mr. Phelps.

You've got a good boy there, Mrs. Partridge.

I know.

It was hard, but I'm a better man for it.

Yeah, I think that'll work for the bridge. Now, for the chorus,

I think we can take that song that we heard last night from the '50s.

Okay, I think that would work. Okay.

You can do that and still look me straight in the eye?

What's that supposed to mean?

Why steal songs?

With a little more work, you can keep your integrity.

Look, I know what you're doing. I've been there myself.

Danny, shouldn't you be down at the jail giving away bibles?

Two days ago, I would have laughed at it, too.

But you've got to stop your dishonest ways before it's too late.

Danny...

Look, I know it takes a big man to do what I did.

But try it. It's amazing how good you'll feel.

[Sighs]

I know how good I'd feel if we could drop this whole conversation.

Okay.

If you want me to drop it, I'll drop it.

Good.

Now, I think we should change the tempo here and...

Did you know that Abe Lincoln once walked 10 miles to return a penny?

And George Washington said, "honesty is the best policy."

Are you through?

George and Abe. That's where it's at.

Remember, the squirrel that steals a nut

eats alone.

I'm gonna kill him.

Thou shalt not...

It takes a lot of courage to do what I did, punky. It really does.

Yeah, I could imagine.

No, I don't think you can. You had to be there.

I met the fury of Mr. Phelps head-on. But was I scared?

Yes.

You bet I was. But I told the truth,

and I'm a new man for it.

Terrific.

Hi, Mr. Phelps.

Here I am, ready to make a rather sizable purchase for my mom.

What can I do for you, Danny?

I'd like the family-size bottle of hair care shampoo.

Coming up.

Boy, it feels great to be able to order a bottle of shampoo

with a clear conscience.

Yeah, Danny, you're right. You really got to me.

I'm never gonna steal again.

After today. Punky, wait!

It's for my mother's birthday.

Yeah, but you don't have to steal it. Make her something.

A potholder. Mothers go gaga over potholders.

Hey, what's that you put in your pocket?

Me? Nothing. I've got nothing.

All right, boys, follow me.

Mr. Phelps, honest, I didn't do anything.

Then how come you sent me to get the shampoo? So I wouldn't see, huh?

After what you said the other day,

I'm shocked that you'd encourage a friend to steal.

Mr. Phelps, he didn't...

As for you, I saw another yo-yo missing and I have a good idea where it went.

I don't think I want the two of you coming in here anymore.

Mr. Phelps, he only did it for his mother's birthday.

I'll wish her many happy returns when I call her.

Both your names will be on these cards.

They'll be on record in my file from now on.

Yes, Mr. Phelps.

I see.

[Sighs] Thank you for calling.

Goodbye.

What's the matter, mom? That was Mr. Phelps.

It seems that Danny's involved in stealing from the store again.

I just don't understand this, you know.

After all that boy's been through.

What are you gonna do now?

Well, the first thing I'll do is wait and hear what Danny has to say.

[Phone ringing]

I'll get it, mom.

Hello?

Yes, she is. Just a minute.

Mom, it's for you. It's the police.

Hello?

Mrs. Partridge? This is sergeant donakovsky down at the 3rd precinct.

I believe we have your son here.

Danny? What happened?

Nothing. He hasn't done anything, really.

But he's confessed to everything he's ever thought about doing or may do.

We've been trying to get him to go home,

but he says this is his home.

He wants us to lock him up to protect society.

I'll be right down, sergeant.

Shirley: All right, Danny, what's this all about?

I'm no good. You've raised a loser.

Danny, I don't think...

Mom, I can prove it.

What about the time I kept the change from the movies?

When was that?

Last Saturday, seven cents!

It's a pattern, mom. Yesterday change, today yo-yos,

tomorrow getaway cars, faces in the night, loose women.

Sit down here. You still haven't told me what happened today.

Mr. Phelps caught punky taking some perfume for his mom's birthday.

I didn't do anything.

I even tried to talk him out of it.

That's the truth.

I believe you.

Mr. Phelps didn't.

He wrote my name on a card. And now I've got a record.

Honey, you have to try and understand Mr. Phelps' position.

I mean, you did steal from him once.

Yeah, but I took it back and I said I was sorry.

Saying you're sorry doesn't always erase the things you do.

When he caught you and punky, well...

I guess every family has to have a black sheep.

I always thought ours was Keith.

Danny, you're not a black sheep.

Just because Mr. Phelps has one opinion

doesn't mean everybody else feels that way.

Think of those who know you best.

Those who know me best have probably been hiding their yo-yos for years.

Danny, you're feeling sorry for yourself.

Do you think your brothers and sisters trust you any less because of this?

Well, if they don't, maybe they should.

Okay, that's go. Where's Danny?

He said he'd sneak in after we started.

So he wouldn't have to face us.

Mom, this is getting ridiculous.

The awards dinner is three days off and we need to rehearse.

We've got to do something. He's been moping around for four days.

One of my shirts got into his drawer by mistake,

and he returned it with a six-page letter of apology.

All he does is listen to that album he bought.

The sounds of loneliness by the San Quentin glee club.

This is a very difficult time for him.

Since this whole thing happened,

he's convinced he's destined to be a criminal.

Have you talked to him?

Nothing I say seems to help.

He feels he's a disgrace to the family.

He even wants to change his name to protect the innocent.

Sounds worse than I thought.

It is.

Danny has a real problem.

And it's up to us to solve it.

Now, there must be some way for us to convince Danny that he's not a criminal.

We could try being real nice to him.

He'd know that was a trick.

Why don't we just treat him normally?

What kind of a plan is that?

Keith, let's face it, we'll never convince him that he's not a criminal.

He's got to convince himself.

That's it.

What's it?

We'll help Danny convince himself.

Temptation is the answer.

What are you talking about?

Look, Danny's no criminal.

So, we'll set up a few things around the house for him to steal.

When he overcomes the temptation,

he'll realize he's all right.

I don't know. Didn't work too well for Adam and Eve.

Yeah, well, it will work for Danny.

It'll give him a chance to prove himself.

We know why Danny thinks he's a criminal.

Oh? Why?

Because he is a criminal.

Tracy: We should put locks on the doors.

We should put locks on Danny.

Okay, what's this all about?

Well, we wanted Danny to prove to himself that he wasn't a criminal.

So we planted things around the house for him to steal,

knowing full well that he wouldn't.

But he did. He took everything.

Kids, don't you see how wrong that was?

Testing him like that could only make him want...

If you were going to test me,

at least you could have been more clever.

Keith, here is your wallet.

Laurie, here is your wallet.

And, Chris, here is your wallet.

And, Tracy, here's your wet-a-bye doll.

I didn't have a wallet.

Danny, they were only trying to help.

It was okay when other people didn't trust me,

but even the Capone family trusted al.

It was bad enough when he thought the whole world didn't trust him.

Now, he thinks his whole family doesn't, either.

Chris, get back up there and change those shoes.

We're going to an awards dinner, not a basketball game.

Aw, mom.

You heard me. Is Danny ready yet?

I don't know, mom. I didn't see him upstairs.

[Phone ringing]

Hello?

Hello, fleameyer's garage.

This is Reuben Kincaid, and I was wondering if I could bring my car in tomorrow.

Reuben, this is Shirley. You've dialed the wrong number.

No, no, I think it was the brakes and I don't want to wait till Monday...

Yeah, hold on.

Danny, would you run into the other room and get me a pencil and paper?

Shirley: Reuben, Danny's there?

Yeah.

Yeah, Shirley, he says he's not going to the awards dinner.

He doesn't feel he deserves to be part of the family anymore.

What was that, Fred?

Reuben, you have to get him to the auditorium by 8:15.

Well, I don't know.

Reuben, you have to get him there.

Well, I'll try, Fred, but I'm sure it's the brakes.

Thanks. Bye.

Well, it'll be a cold day in June before I ever bring my car to you.

And Detroit will hear about this.

Boy, the nerve of that guy.

Was mom mad?

Mom? What are you talking about?

Let's face it.

Sir Laurence Olivier you're not.

Yeah.

But, Danny, they really want you to go with them to that award dinner.

I don't belong there. I'd only disgrace them.

Let's face it, I'm a bad seed.

Well, maybe you're right.

I mean, only a bad seed would let his family down like this.

The award is for all of you.

They've earned it. It's their moment, not mine.

Danny, what if there was a way that you could share it

without anyone knowing you're there?

Thanks, but you're a manager, not a magician.

Man: And so, without further ado, it is my great honor to present

this year's good citizenship award

to a group who have made San pueblo a nice place to visit

and an even better place to live.

The partridge family.

They make a nice family, don't they?

Accepting the award is a fine mother of a fine family,

Mrs. Shirley partridge.

Thank you very much, but I can't accept this.

We took a vote on who would accept the award, and I lost.

In fact, the vote was unanimous for another member of the family

who best knows what good citizenship is all about.

You know, you can find the meanings of the words "truth,"

"honesty" and "trust" in the dictionary,

but they mean so much more when you find them through personal experience.

And now I'd like to ask the person we chose to come up and accept the award.

Mr. Danny partridge.

[All applauding]

Well, go on up there. You don't want to keep your family waiting.

Mom, for the first time in my life, I don't know what to say.

Just say what's in your heart, honey.

I'm very proud to be a part of this family.

It's nice to know you have people around you who care, no matter what.

Thank you.

[Piano playing]

♪ I don't care where you've been before

♪ and I don't care what you've done

♪ just care that you're here with me

♪ and I'm the one

♪ I don't care if you've known a hundred others in the past

♪ I don't care if I'm not the first

♪ I just want to be the last

♪ leave your pride

♪ right outside

♪ come on in

♪ whoa, my, my, my sweet baby

♪ I don't care what they say

♪ I don't care if they say you've never been a lady

♪ I don't care if they say your past is kind of shady

♪ I only know I love you so and I want you for my baby

♪ So let them put you down

♪ I won't march in that parade

♪ I don't want to hear about mistakes you might've made

♪ I don't have the time to keep my mind on yesterday

♪ and I don't have the time to play

♪ the games those people play

♪ throw away yesterday

♪ come on in

♪ whoa, my, my, my sweet baby

♪ I don't care where you've been

♪ whoa, my, my, my sweet baby

♪ I don't care where you've been ♪

[Audience applauding]

Boy, it all seems so silly now.

But at the time, it was a nightmare.

I guess I was running scared.

Yeah, well, I gotta tell you, I'm awfully glad it's over.

I don't think I could have taken another one of your confessions.

Too honest? Too boring.

Well, I think Danny's learned a very important lesson out of this.

And I think it's something punky will never forget either.

Mom, did you ever have to learn that lesson through experience?

Yeah, did you ever steal anything?

Me? Not that I can recall. No, I don't think so.

You sure?

Well, maybe once.