The Partridge Family - Season 1, Episode 22 (22)

Title: Road Song

First aired: February 26, 1971

Synopsis:

The Partridges and their manager, Reuben Kincaid are on the road in New Mexico. They are eating in a diner, when a teenage girl who recognizes their bus, asks them for a ride. Her name is Maggie Newton and she wants to get to Albuquerque, to her father. Shirley agrees to take the girl with them.

After they leave, a police officer appears at the diner and asks about the girl. The waitress tells him that she’s just left with The Partridge Family.

On their way Maggie tells a lot of strange stories and adventures she’s had, with her father, who is an archaeologist. No one believes her, but the family likes her. Maggie refuses to spend the night at the motel with the Partridges, and even though Shirley and the kids are worried about her, there is nothing they can do about it. When they are ready to go to sleep the police officer finds them and asks about Maggie. But he doesn’t tell them why the police are interested in Maggie.

Next day the family discovers that Maggie has spent the night in their bus. Now Shirley and Reuben are worried and have a serious talk with the girl. She obviously keeps telling lies, but Shirley decides to trust her once again and take her to Albuquerque.

She stops their bus at Kumquist, asks Maggie and the kids to go to the hotel to get some rest and wait for her, because she has something to do in that town. Shirley and Reuben actually go to the police station to ask about Maggie. It turns out that Maggie is a habitual runaway, her mother is dead, and the girl lives with her grandparents in Nebraska. They are her legal guardians, but every week Maggie tries to get to her father. The police officer agrees that Shirley will deliver Maggie to Albuquerque and will be responsible for the girl until her grandparents arrive.

But Maggie again disappears. When they can’t find her in Kumquist, Shirley decides to go to Albuquerque and find her on their way. They spot her by the road and then Maggie tries to drive away on their bus, but she can’t start it. Shirley then tells Maggie about her task, and the girl is overwhelmed with joy and gratitude that she will be taken to Albuquerque.

Her dad is very happy to see Maggie and invites the family to his house. Shirley goes to meet Maggie’s granddad at the airport. He is angry when he learns that Maggie is with her father. In his opinion Maggie needs a steady house and her father travels a lot because of his work. When they meet, the grandfather and Maggie’s dad start to quarrel as both of them love and want Maggie to live with them. Maggie loves her father and her grandparents but of course she is too young to make such a difficult decision. Finally, with Shirley’s help, they find a compromise. Maggie will stay with their grandparents during the school year and will be with her father during summer holiday and Christmas.

Synopsis written by Weronika Cyrynger

Song:
Point Me In The Direction Of Albuquerque

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: Alan Rafkin

Written by: Dale McRaven

Guest Stars: Laurie Prange as Maggie Newton, Sandy Kenyon as Maggie's Father, Ian Wolfe as Grandpa

Screen Shots: