The Partridge Family - Season 1, Episode 15 (15)

Title: Mom Drops Out

First aired: January 8, 1971

Synopsis:

Shirley arrives at Reuben’s office as Reuben and Logan Mays, the Tour Promoter, discuss the European Tour. Shirley is introduced to Logan Mays and he says that he doesn’t want Shirley singing on the tour. It is in the contract and, according to Logan, audiences in Europe don’t like anyone over 30 involved in music. Reuben and Shirley protest and Shirley remarks that Logan is about the same age as her. Reuben protests again and says that when the rest of the family find out they won’t want to do the tour without Shirley. Reuben shows Logan the door.

After Shirley does some thinking, she tells Reuben to get the contracts back and she will sign them. She will tell the kids at the party she is giving, her retirement party. Keith, Laurie, Danny, Chris, and Tracy had been discussing the tour, while they are having their evening meal, which they notice is a special one. Shirley tells them she has something to say. She tells them that the contracts have been signed and she will be going with them, but not singing. The meal is special as it’s her retirement party and she wants to be a normal mother again.

The next day, when Reuben takes Keith and Laurie out to Lunch, they ask Reuben if he has any idea why Mum had decided to quit the group. Reuben gets a phone call the restaurant, It’s Logan Mays, Reuben tries to tell him that he can’t talk now. Keith and Laurie overhear some of the conversation and realise that Logan knows something about Shirley retiring. Keith and Laurie speak to Logan at his office and Logan tells them the same as he told Shirley about audiences in Europe. Keith and Laurie decide that they don’t want work with Logan and tell him that they quit too, but Logan reminds them that Shirley has signed the contracts.

Keith, Laurie, Danny, Chris, and Tracy have hatched a plan to try to get Shirley to realise how much they need her. Keith and Laurie talk to Reuben to get them a gig and they sing “Baby, I Love, Love You”. Purposely, the gig does not go well, and Logan is not happy. Next morning Shirley tells them that she has decided to come out of retirement after the tour.

As the family flies to Europe, part of “When We’re Singin’” is played. They play their first concert in Paris, and as the concert ends, the audience calls for Shirley. Logan is now happy for Shirley to go on and she leaves Rueben and Logan discussing details as she goes on stage.

The Partridge Family sings “I Can Feel Your Heartbeat” and the audience loves it. As they come off stage Logan tries to get Shirley to go on tour on her own. The audience are then allowed to come backstage to get autographs.

Synopsis written by Doreen Walker

Songs:
Baby I Love, Love, I Love You, When We're Singing, I Can Feel Your Heartbeat

Cast:
Shirley Partridge - Shirley Jones
Keith Partridge - David Cassidy
Laurie Partridge - Susan Dey
Danny Partridge - Danny Bonaduce
Chris Partridge - Jeremy Gelbwaks
Tracy Partridge - Suzanne Crough
Reuben Kincaid - Dave Madden

Directed by: Harry Falk

Written by: Peter Meyerson

Guest Stars: Logan Mays as Gino Conforti

Screen Shots: