The Partridge Family - Season 2, Episode 12 (37)

Title: Guess Who's Coming To Drive

First aired: December 10, 1971

Synopsis:

Reuben Kincaid, the Partridge Family’s manager, arrives at their house to show them the schedule for the upcoming summer tour. Shirley’s just returned from shopping, and she is not happy with the news. Previously their longest tour lasted two weeks. Shirley wonders how they will manage to be on the road for two months. Even with Keith's help driving the bus, it will be very tiring. She feels that they simply can’t go on such a long tour even though all bookings have been made.

It is little Tracy who has a brilliant idea. Why not hire a driver? It’s a perfect solution, so they try to find an appropriate, reliable person. Someone who can drive a bus (which is not easy), but also someone they can trust. Finally, they hire Johnny; he is not too young and not too old, an excellent driver, he can help with carrying suitcases and equipment, and he is happy with the salary he is offered.

When they go on tour everything is going smoothly, however Danny notices that Johnny, makes a lot of phone calls after looking around to make sure that no one is watching him. On one occasion, Johnny is recognized by another driver and Danny sees the man giving Johnny some money. The boy thinks the driver’s behavior is highly suspicious, but the rest of the family don’t agree with him.

Danny in disguise follows Johnny, and at last discovers the driver’s secret when he sees Johnny meet with the local parole officer. Now Shirley has to talk seriously with her driver. She is not very happy when she learns from him that he is an-ex con and that’s why he has to inform his parole officer where he stays. Shirley agrees that if she knew Johnny was in prison for armed robbery there was no way he could be The Partridges’ driver. Johnny wants to keep the job and Shirley decides to trust him and agrees not to dismiss him.

A few days later, the family reads about an armed robbery which took place the previous night. There is even a picture of the criminal taken by a hidden camera. It’s not very good but the man in the picture looks like Johnny. Danny calls Reuben who arrives very quickly and goes to the police station to ask about the robbery. The police officer is very suspicious because Reuben meets the robber’s description and to make matters worse he has a false nose he got from Danny. Reuben is arrested and can make just one call. But when he phones the family, only Tracey is at the hotel room. She is watching TV and has no time to talk with Reuben. In the evening the Partridge Family is ready for the show but Reuben hasn’t appeared. It’s very unusual and Shirley is worried. Finally, Tracey informs the rest of the family that their manager is in prison.

When Reuben is released he tells Johnny that he is the main suspect. But Johnny has an alibi, and even a witness. During the time of the robbery he was with his parole officer, and the witness was Danny. Johnny is very offended as he isn’t trusted. He doesn't want this job anymore and he doesn't want to talk with any of the Partridges. After everyone apologizes, Johnny finally agrees to be with the family for the rest of the tour.
Synopsis written by Weronika Cyrynger

Song:
Rainmaker

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

Directed by: Ralph Senensky

Written by: Bob Rodgers

Guest Stars: Milt Kamen as Johnny

Screen Shots: