‘The Partridge Family’: Bet You Didn’t Know These Facts About the 1970s Hit Show
December 20, 2017
By Julie Steigerwald
www.directexpose.com
The hit musical-comedy sensation “The Partridge Family” wowed audiences in living rooms across America in the early 1970s and thrust the real-life stars of the wholesome series into the spotlight. Decades before “Glee” and “The Voice,” fans tuned in to follow the entertaining lives of the talented on-screen family.
ABC aired the show that starred established Hollywood actress Shirley Jones as the mother of five children, who together, straddled the prosaic reality of their suburban existence along with the adventures of their rising rock band glory. The show generated a massive following and served as the launching pad for teen heartthrob David Cassidy’s explosive early career. While the show may be remembered for its upbeat tunes and pleasant plotlines, there are numerous surprising secrets that lurked behind the scenes. Scroll on to check them out!
1. The Show Was Inspired By A Real Family
The group in the popular 70’s series “The Partridge Family” was actually inspired by a real-life musical family, The Cowsills. The on-screen family consisted of widowed matriarch Shirley Partridge and her five children. The actual singing group from Newport, Rhode Island was formed in 1965 by brothers Bill, Bob, Barry and John Cowsill.
Wikipedia
After their initial success, the original bandmates were joined by their younger siblings Susan and Paul along with their mother, Barbara. The band was first signed by MGM Records and became one of the most popular touring concert acts in the country. The Cowsills had multiple million-selling hits, including “Indian Lake” and “Hair.”
2. Most Of The Cast Couldn’t Play Their Instruments
The cast of “The Partridge Family” was made up of talented actors, but most of them were not trained musicians. Much to the chagrin of many fans who felt they were duped, only Shirley Jones and David Cassidy had musical backgrounds.
Eternal Lifestyle
Cassidy, whose character Keith played the guitar, was the only one who could actually play the instrument as depicted in the show. In the series, Susan Dey’s “Laurie” played piano, Danny Bonaduce’s “Danny” rocked bass guitar, Brian Forster’s “Chris” was on drums and Suzanne Crough’s “Tracy” did percussion.
3. The Same Studio Created ‘The Monkees’
“The Partridge Family” was in large the 1970s’ successor to the TV series turned live performing band “The Monkees.” The production company Screen Gems was behind both shows fell under the genre of comedy-musicals centered on fictional bands that were trying to make it big.
RTE
The Monkees were styled in the countercultural zaniness of the mid-1960s – à la The Beatles – while the Partridges were wholesomely traditional, flirting with a somewhat hip tone. The Monkees went off-air by 1968, and the Partridges followed soon after, debuting in 1970.
4. The Show Snuck In Homage To ‘The Wizard of Oz’
Fans with a keen eye might have noticed that “The Partridge Family” snuck in an homage to “The Wizard of Oz.” Among the show’s star-studded list of guest stars were Ray Bolger and Margaret Hamilton from the 1939 blockbuster musical fantasy film.
Hamilton appeared in 1973 as Clara Kincaid, the mother of the Partridge band’s manager, Reuben Kincaid. The character initially greets her son as “Ruby,” cleverly poking at the fact that in her iconic role as the Wicked Witch of the West, the character endlessly seeks Dorothy’s ruby slippers.
5. The Studio Didn’t Share The Wealth
“The Partridge Family” became a hit, topping charts and selling out records. The famous faces of the cast members also helped boost a merchandising sales bonanza. Despite the copious amount of profits that the show and ancillary memorabilia generated, the cast wasn’t reaping the benefits.
People Magazine
This particularly peeved David Cassidy (pictured). The teen idol had become a ubiquitous culture icon, yet he was only earning $600 a week. He was able to renegotiate his contract as it was signed when he was underage and, before his 2017 death, sued Sony/Screen Gems for allegedly withholding royalty profits.
6. An Unaired Pilot Was Also Filmed
Two pilots were originally filmed before the show’s debut broadcast in 1970. The unaired version features a mother character named “Connie” instead of “Shirley,” who had a boyfriend played by Shirley Jones’ husband at the time and David Cassidy’s father – Jack Cassidy.
Eternal Lifestyle
In the unaired pilot, the family lives in Ohio instead of California. The original episode that was left on the cutting room floor also includes mention of the Partridge’s deceased father. In that take, he was said to be an alcoholic.
Keep reading to find out if already knew the next Partridge Family fun facts?
7. Shirley Jones Would Have Happily Stayed On The Show
Although fame came with its own tribulations, the cast of “The Partridge Family” was relatively close behind the scenes. In her memoir, Shirley Jones explained that she was devastated when the show came to an end.
Jones even stated that if the series had not been canceled, she would have happily carried on playing Shirley Partridge “for another four years.” “For me and all the rest of the cast, this was the end of an era,” she said of the culmination of their four-year run.
8. Susan Dey Had A Major Crush On David Cassidy
They may have been fictional siblings on camera, but behind the scenes, Susan Dey had a profound crush on David Cassidy. There was only a two year age difference between the pair and they instantly became friends. However, for Dey, emotions ran deeper.
Eternal Lifestyle
Dey’s deep-seating feelings for her heartthrob cast-mate were unrequited as Cassidy enjoyed his teen idol status and would regale Dey with accounts of his romantic trysts with female fans who pursued him. Eventually, the duo’s on-screen mother, Shirley Jones, attempted to deter Dey from pursuing him.
9. Shirley Jones Could Have Been Carol Brady Instead of Shirley Partridge
Shirley Jones (right) was already a star when in 1970 she was approached for the role of Carol Brady on “The Brady Bunch.” She turned the part down though, and it went to her good friend Florence Henderson (left). Still, Jones went on to play another now-famous, beautiful TV mother.
Rolling Stone/Pinterest
In her 2013 memoir, Jones explained that she rejected “The Brady Bunch” part as she didn’t want to be portrayed as “the mother taking the roast out of the oven and not doing much else.” She was drawn to “The Partridge Family” as on-and-off-screen she could be a working mom.
10. Susan Dey Refused To Attend Show Reunions
Susan Dey played the eldest Partridge daughter, Laurie, for the show’s four beloved seasons. But after the sitcom went off-air, the wide-eyed beauty consistently refused to attend any reunion specials. Dey and David Cassidy were last seen in public as presenters at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards.
IMDB
Dey went on to star in “L.A. Law” and landed several other TV roles. Her decision to sever contact with her former co-stars allegedly stemmed from a tiff with David Cassidy over details of their personal relationship that he revealed in his 1994 autobiography.
11. Shirley Jones Was David Cassidy’s Real-Life Stepmother
Shirley Jones played David Cassidy’s fictional on-screen mother, but in reality, she was his stepmom. Jones married Cassidy’s father, Jack, in 1956 and the couple had three sons. David was Jack’s only child from his previous marriage with Evelyn Ward.
NY Daily News
Still, fans often assumed Jones was the real-life mother of the younger Cassidy. Jones wrote in her memorial that the mix-up, in turn, caused Ward a great deal of distress. None of the other cast members, however, were actually related.
12. The Partridges Outsold The Beatles
The harmony and hilarity of the wholesome, velour-clad Partridge family translated into successful TV ratings as well as record-breaking vinyl triumphs. In 1970, the fictional group’s hit “I Think I Love You” topped the Billboard charts at No. 1 and outsold The Beatles smash “Let It Be.”
People Magazine
The track sold more than five million copies and was subsequently awarded an RIAA-classified “gold disc.” The single also contributed to the Partridge’s historic legacy, as it was only the third hit by a fictional artist to top the charts.
Scroll on for more fun facts about the Partridges!
13. The Guest Appearances List Was Packed With Stars
The show’s guest star list featured a handful of entertainers who were already known at the time or would go on to become mega-famous A-listers. The burgeoning up-and-comers included a young Jodie Foster who played the daughter of one of Shirley’s love interests.
Other notable cameos included Farrah Fawcett and fellow future “Charlie’s Angels” stars Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd. Johnny Cash had an uncredited role. Michael Ontkean was featured before “Twin Peaks” as did Mark Hamill before “Star Wars. Then-governor Ronald Reagan’s daughter, Maureen, also appeared in a single episode.
14. Shirley Was The Only Cast Member Originally Slated To Sing
Shirley Jones’ six-decade-long showbiz career got a kick-start when she was cast as the female lead in the film adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Oklahoma!” She landed several other film musical roles and won an Academy Award in 1960 for her performance in “Elmer Gantry”.
Bionic Disco
Jones was the only cast member originally slated to do vocals until it was discovered in his demo tapes that David Cassidy could sing. The two were the only cast members whose voices were heard on the show’s recorded tracks, with Cassidy singing lead and Jones background.
15. Residential Déjà Vu
The Partridge’s house may look familiar to viewers familiar with the period’s other prime-time hits. The lemon-cream-colored suburban home was the same one that belonged to the nosy neighbors, the Kravitzes, in “Bewitched.” The set house was located on the 40-acre Warner Bros. Studio Rach lot used by both productions.
Biography.com
For two overlapping seasons, the house was simultaneously visible in both shows as “Bewitched” was still filming when “The Partridge Family” debuted. The iconic structure made yet another appearance in the 1998 film “Pleasantville,” starring Reese Witherspoon and Tobey Maguire.
Keep reading to see if you know the next trivia tidbit!
16. Susan Battled Body Image Issues
Susan Dey was a model before she landed the part of Laurie Partridge at the age of 17. Dey had virtually no acting experience before the show. Dey captured the hearts of teenage boys wide and far, but she had a worrisome coping method for her sudden rise to fame.
ebrael.info
Dey battled body image issues and severely restricted her diet to fit the ideal of the perfect teen girl. She occasionally arrived on set with orange fingers from eating almost nothing but carrots. It was only when co-star Danny Bonaduce saw her in a bikini and grimaced did she realized the problem.
17. There Was An Animated Spinoff
“The Partridge Family” has undoubtedly gone down in television history. But, did you know the popular series had futuristic, animated spin-off? “Partridge Family, 2200 A.D.” was first broadcast about half of a year after the live-action show went off-air in 1974.
YouTube
The outer space-themed Saturday morning cartoon did not feature the voices of Shirley Jones or David Cassidy. Susan Dey had limited involvement, while Danny Bonaduce, Suzanne Crough and Brian Forster voiced their respective live-action characters. The animated adaptation did not prove to be as successful as the original and ceased production after 16 episodes.
18. The Partridge Family Band Was Nominated For A Grammy
The Partridge Family’s harmonious sound was featured on 89 songs and nine albums between 1970 and 1973. Domestic and international record sales saw millions of copies fly off the shelves. Yet, in 1971, the TV group again made history.
Entertainment Daily
The Partridges were nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy Award. This happened despite the fact that the band was fictional and only cast members David Cassidy and Shirley Jones sang on the records. The award ended up going to The Carpenters, but still… not too shabby!
19. Shirley’s Late On-Screen Husband Was Never Named
In the show, Shirley Jones’ Shirley Partridge was a widowed bank teller struggling to raise her five musically talented children. Encouraged by her kids, the mother of Keith, Laurie, Danny, Chris and Tracy reluctantly joins their band and shines as a vocal virtuoso.
According to the plotline, Shirley’s husband was said to have suddenly died shortly before the rest of the family kicks off their performing gigs. While Shirley’s parents were even mentioned as Fred and Amanda Renfrew, her late husband’s name was never revealed.
20. David and Susan Dated Once Filming Wrapped
For years, Susan Dey harbored unrequited feelings for David Cassidy. While he never reciprocated her feeling during the years of filming, the two gave it a shot after the show wrapped in 1974. But things didn’t end so swimmingly for the two who played siblings Keith and Laurie Partridge.
Biography.com
The romance was short-lived, although spilled details of the affair as described by Cassidy in his 1994 memoir apparently soured Dey’s previously smitten perspective of her former cast-mate. According to Cassidy, the two were not on speaking terms for years.
21. The Studio Originally Wanted Olivia Newton-John To Play Laurie
The producers’ first choice for the part of Laurie was actually not Susan Dey, but Olivia Newton-John. Ironically, when casting started for the 1978 musical hit “Grease,” Dey was a frontrunner for the female lead, Sandy.
Wikia
However, Dey apparently heeded the advice of her manager and turned down what would become the iconic role. The studio eventually told Newton-John that she was the one that they wanted, and the film’s success catapulted her to instant household name fame.
22. David’s Voice Was Altered During Recordings
Despite the fact that David Cassidy had a melodious voice and unavoidable stage presence, the recording studio made alterations to his pitch. He has noted that his voice was recorded for songs at a quarter of a tone lower and was played back a quarter of a tone higher.
The result made Cassidy’s voice sound slightly higher than it was in actuality. Whether that had any impact or not, Cassidy’s solo career exploded after he performed the lead vocals on the Partridge Family’s 1970 debut single, “I Think I Love You”.
23. Voice Work Wasn’t Done by All Cast Members
Apart from David Cassidy and Shirley Jones, the rest of the Partridge Family cast lip-synced to the vocals of other artists. The actual singers who performed background vocals were Tom Bahler, John Bahler and Jackie Ward of the group The Love Generation along with Ron Hicklin.
People Magazine
Two of the studio band’s songs – “Together” and “Let the Good Times In” – were used in “The Partridge Family” pilot episode. The group also stepped in instead of David Cassidy and Shirley Jones on “The Partridge Family Album” tracks “I’m on the Road” and “I really Want to Know You.”
24. Danny Bonaduce’s Had Similar On-and-Off-Screen Antics
Danny Bonaduce portrayed wisecracking middle son, Danny, on “The Partridge Family.” The redhead, who played the fictional band’s bass guitar player, was known for his on-screen as well as his off-screen antics. The child star’s attitude was in large linked to a dysfunctional home life offset.
His co-star and fictional mother Shirley Jones has described him as “a wild child who came from an unhappy home.” The young actor reportedly suffered from domestic abuse from his father. At one point he was taken in by Dave Madden, who played the Partridge’s band manager, Reuben Kincaid.
25. The Chris Partridge Casting Swap
The network switched out actors for the second-youngest Partridge child, Chris, and the swap passed without much, if any, fuss. Brown-haired actor Jeremy Gelbwaks played the part in season one. Blonde child Brian Forster was recast in the part from season two onward.
IMDB/Pinterest
Gelbwaks’ family moved out of L.A. But, according to co-star David Cassidy, personality conflicts between Gelbwaks and basically everyone else catalyzed the casting change. While such phase-outs usually spur backlash from fans, the studio didn’t receive any angry feedback for this one.
The next behind-the-scenes secret will have you totally surprised!
26. David Cassidy Wanted To Leave The Show
Like many young stars, David Cassidy quick propelled to fame and fortune, but the reality of life in the limelight took its toll on him. Years of a hectic filming and concert schedule left him exhausted and disenchanted with the bubblegum pop persona he was associated with.
YouTube
Cassidy’s solo career proliferated across seas and his chart success in the UK exceeded that in the US. Tremendous fan hype, dubbed “Cassidymania” was another factor that led him, in 1974, to quit acting and his musical touring circuit. He instead opted to focus on recording and songwriting.
27. The Original Partridge Family
Much like the Von Trapp family that inspired the 1965 Rogers and Hammerstein classic “The Sound of Music,” “The Partridge Family” was loosely based on another real-life family singing troupe – The Cowsills.
YouTube
Producers initially interviewed the actual members of the Cowsills ensemble, but it was decided that the inspirational group’s members were too old to play the characters written for the TV show. At the time that “The Partridge Family” began broadcasting, the Cowsill siblings ranged in age from 11 to 22.
28. The Show Peaked At No. 16
Despite becoming a widespread cultural phenomenon and producing record-breaking hits and lucrative commercial sales, “The Partridge Family” actually only received modest TV rating success. After a relatively unimpressive first season ranking at number 26, the series peaked during the second season at spot 16.
Metro UK
The third season just barely made it in the top 20 at number 19. The show tanked in ratings in its final season, drastically dropping to spot 78. During syndication, the show was prone to tight viewing rights and only saw limited airtime.
29. The Show Won Awards In Syndication
“The Partridge Family” failed to clinch a Grammy nomination and two Golden Globe nominations during its original broadcast years in the early 1970s. Yet, the nominations kept rolling in during the 2000s after the show had gone to syndication.
YouTube
The show and its cast members garnered nominations for seven TV Land Awards between 2003 and 2007. They ended up winning two. David Cassidy landed the honor of “Hippest Fashion Plate” (male) while Susan Dey won “Favorite Teen Dream” (female).
30. Someone Let The Dog Out, For Real
In the first season of the show, fans might remember that the Partridge family had an adorably furry dog named Simone. The group’s fluffy friend mysteriously vanished from the scene between the first and second seasons.
iTunes
It was not clear why producers made the decision to whisk(er) away the Patridge’s pet. Perhaps they just thought her presence was superfluous, but no explanation was ever given. Nonetheless, who could help but miss such a cute creature?
31. The Partridge Family Inspired A Board Game
Partridge family paraphernalia ranged from lunchboxes, cereal box covers, toys and even (you best believe it) a board game. The colorful children’s game based on the hit 1970s show was released by Milton Bradley in 1971.
Revenues from the board game, along with other merchandising product based on the show, were the type of royalties that David Cassidy later sued production companies for, claiming he’d been cheated out of a small fortune. Sounds like someone wasn’t playing around.
32. The Bus Wasn’t Saved
The Partridges iconically drove around to concert gigs in their distinctly bright bus, whose geometric, primary-colored design was inspired by Dutch artist Piet Mondrian. While the traveling band of musical relatives may have driven straight into TV history, the bus met a less extraordinary fate.
Blogspot
The iconic 1957 Chevy provided a pop of eccentric eye candy as the group rode around the country, and one would think it would have landed in a protected exhibition or vault of show collectibles. Sadly, however, the vibrant vehicle ended up in a Los Angeles junkyard in 1987.
33. Rick Springfield Almost Played Keith Partridge
In 1973-74, broadcasters switched the show’s airtime from Friday night to Saturday nights. “The Partridge Family” was then up against the era’s top-rated show on the Nielsen scale, “All In the Family.” The show faced plummeting ratings and was canceled before the coming season.
Rick Springfield.com/Pinterest
Before the producers pulled the plug on “The Partridge Family” in 1974, up-and-coming singer/actor Rick Springfield was set to replace David Cassidy in the role of Keith Partridge if the show had continued past season four.
If this factoid surprised you, you don’t want to miss the next ones!
34. David Cassidy Wanted To Emulate Mick Jagger’s Rock Fame
Although David Cassidy regularly performed lead vocals on recordings for “The Partridge Family,” he felt increasingly stifled by the bubblegum pop music that was at the center of the show. The teen idol sought to have an independent musical identity apart from the show.
Wikipedia
Cassidy sought to break away from the Partridges brand and become a renowned rocker on the level of legends like Mick Jagger. Cassidy’s first single, “Cherish,” reached spot nine. In the UK, where his solo career achieved greater chart success, the song made it to number two.
35. The Theme Song Lyrics Changed
“The Partridge Family” actually featured more than one theme song over opening credits. During the first season, the song “When We’re Singing” was the introductory number. Producer Shorty Rogers was behind the song, but later, producer Wes Farrell hired a group of studio musicians to tweak the track.
Amazon
rom season two onward, the quintessentially 60’s theme song featured a slightly new musical arrangement and different lyrics. The now more familiar theme song of “When We’re Singing” was an upbeat, more robust, version of its predecessor.
36. Ricky Was Added To Boost Ratings
In an attempt to boost falling ratings, the studio brought in a cute new kid in season four of the show. Actor Ricky Segall played the Partridge’s four-year-old neighbor, Ricky Stevens. The character was featured singing a children’s song in each episode.
DVD Talk
However, half-way through the season, the character was dropped. Interestingly, the producers had originally considered casting an African American child to play Ricky due to the popularity at the time of the Jackson Five.
Don’t miss the last trivia tidbits about the Partridges, keep scrolling!
37. David Rebelled With A ‘Rolling Stone’ Cover
David Cassidy felt increasingly boxed-in by the squeaky-clean image promoted by the studio and took matters into his own hands to break away from the typecast. In 1972, the idolized 22-year-old star bypassed management and shed his clothes to shed his image.
Rolling Stone
All chaos ensued after Cassidy posed nude for a risque “Rolling Stone Magazine” cover and spoke candidly of drugs, sex and rock ‘n roll in an accompanying interview. The provocative account led to “seismic” commercial fallout and, for better or worse, forever altered his public persona.
38. David Cassidy’s Fame Lead to Tragedy
The success of the series and his actual musical abilities led David Cassidy to have an eclipsing solo career. Along with the 10 albums by “The Partridge Family,” Cassidy also had five solo albums during the show’s run. He sold out concerts and generated mass fan hype.
Tim Graham Evening Standard/Getty Images
Yet, with the fandom surrounding the young pop sensation came tragedy. At a 1974 gig in London, a gate stampede of frenzied fans left more than 800 injured, including 14-year-old Bernadette Whelan, who died from her wounds. Cassidy said the unfortunate incident always haunted him.
39. Shirley Jones Did Not Like All Guest Stars
The show boasted a long credit listing of guest stars during its relatively short run. While Shirley Jones raved about the joys of working with many of those temporary talents, she was not so enthusiastic about all of them.
Greeningz
The actress found it particularly difficult to share the set with Ray Bolger, whom she said was “a bit irritable” and particular. The stage-to-screen starlet also said she wasn’t too fond of Dick Clark (pictured), adding that Richard Pryor didn’t take much notice of her as he was “so drugged up.”
40. Shirley’s Success Affected Her Personal Life
In her autobiography, Shirley Jones wrote that the popularity of the show “took its toll” on her marriage to Jack Cassidy (pictured back right). Jones noted his “overriding sense of inferiority in the face of my success” as one of the factors that led to the dissolution of the relationship.
The couple divorced in 1974. The pair had three sons, Shaun, Patrick and Ryan. It is reported that Cassidy also had a turbulent relationship with his eldest son and Jones’ stepson/costar, David. Jones remarried, wedding actor Marty Ingels in 1977. The two remained married until Ingels’ death in 2015.
