David Cassidy on the Web
'The Partridge Family' turns 40
December 11, 2010
By Amanda Barrett
www.suntimes.com
Long before "Full House," "Family Matters" and "Perfect Strangers" and the early '90s heyday of ABC's TGIF lineup, there was another all-star roster of shows that had kids planted in front of their TV sets as the weekend began.
Back in the early 1970s, parents had no problem coaxing kids indoors on Friday nights to watch ABC's must-see lineup. The shows varied but at points included "The Brady Bunch," followed by "The Partridge Family," "Room 222," "Nanny and the Professor" and "Love American Style."
Among those, because of its songs, character development and level of acting, the show that holds up best (sorry, "Brady" fans) is "The Partridge Family," starring David Cassidy, Shirley Jones, teen model Susan Dey and pint-size newcomer Danny Bonaduce as a family singing act. This year the show celebrates its 40th anniversary, and the group's first hit, "I Think I Love You," was No. 1 on the Billboard charts in November and December of 1970.
Before anyone scoffs and considers the show and its music lightweight, consider their pedigree: Wes Farrell (who died in 1996) produced the group's first-rate pop tunes (composed by noted songwriters Gerry Goffin and Rupert Holmes, among others), and the respected Bernard Slade ("Bewitched," "The Flying Nun") was the show's creator.
But it was Chicago's own Bob Claver, now 82, who produced and oversaw the show during its entire run, from 1970-74.
The idea was loosely based on the Cowsills, a popular family singing act in the 1960s.
"We really considered casting them and met with them, but they were no good. Maybe we could have used the little girl but that was it," said Claver.
Academy Award-winning actress (1960's "Elmer Gantry") Shirley Jones signed on first, which was considered quite a coup. Apparently Jones wanted steady hours so she could spend more time with her children. Later her stepson David Cassidy was cast.
"When he came in to audition, neither one of them was aware that they were going to be on the same show. But it was a happy surprise for both of them," Claver said. (Jones was married at the time to David's father, the actor Jack Cassidy, who would die in a fire just a few years later.) Producers didn't realize Cassidy could croon until after he was cast. Another happy surprise.
Claver said he wanted the show to be funny without being silly, and for the characters to be realistic. "I really love actors," he said. And he fought hard for Bonaduce.
"It was down to two kids and for some reason everybody wanted the other kid. I still don't know why," he said. "Danny was brilliant."
Rubber-faced comedian Dave Madden was cast as Reuben Kincaid, the perpetually annoyed manager (and comedic foil for Danny). Suzanne Crough and Jeremy Gelbwaks rounded out the cast as the youngest children. (Because his father got a job out of state, Gelbwaks was replaced in the second season by Brian Forster.)
"The Partridge Family" started off slowly in the ratings, but thanks to Cassidy's groovy good looks and sultry singing (which caught the attention of fanzines such as Tiger Beat, which really pushed the teen heartthrob), little girls caught on quickly and powered the show into the top 20. For Claver, the show's appeal was obvious.
"For one thing it was a show the entire family could watch," he said. "Plus they traveled in a psychedelic school bus going to nightclubs and singing songs that kids could sing along to at home."
But after its third year, the bus - and the show - began running out of gas. The show was moved to Saturday night against the juggernaut "All in the Family" on CBS, and it didn't have a chance. "The network gave up on it and made it a sacrificial lamb," Claver said.
After the show ended in 1974, Claver went on to direct and produce more shows, including "Rhoda" with Valerie Harper and "The Girl With Something Extra" with Sally Field.
Claver left the business in 1993 ("although you could say the business left me," he says, because of his age), retiring to Chicago where he leads a quiet life. Not too long ago, he said, his daughter sent him DVDs of old "Partridge Family" episodes.
"And you know what I thought? They were really good! I forgot how good the writing was," he said. "And the acting, too. Can't forget about the acting."
