The Partridge Family - Season 2, Episode 15 (40)

Title: Home Is Where the Heart Was

First aired: January 7, 1972

Synopsis:
The kids are watching a movie on TV. Shirley goes into the kitchen and notices there is a mess and suspects it's Chris and Tracy because they have left messes before. Shirley wants them to own up, but they are not listening. She scolds them and tells them to go to bed and forbids them to see the end of the movie. Chris says to Tracy they ought to run away. Using reverse psychology Shirley says they should wait till morning after a good night's sleep.

After rehearsal the next day, Chris and Tracy pick up a few prized possessions and announce they are going to run away. Shirley suggests they pack a suitcase because they will need a change of clothes and a jacket for the night. She is convinced they won't go too far away, perhaps only as far as half a block, stop at a neighbour's house for brownies, and then forget why they ran away and come back home. However, Chris and Tracy leave the neighbour's house and go to Reuben's apartment by taxi. Reuben secretly rings Shirley to let her know they are at his apartment.

Chris and Tracy cause problems for Reuben. Chris lets in a sheep dog which gives Reuben an allergic reaction and Tracy overflows the bubble bath. Reuben's girlfriend Bonnie Kleinschmitt shows up at the same time with a bottle of champagne and plans to stay with Reuben. Bonnie has switched flights with another stewardess and is free. When she sees the kids, she is about to leave, but Reuben convinces her to stay if she just waits and gives him an hour they will be gone. Reuben comes up with an idea to get Chris and Tracy to leave by playing blackjack and the losers have to go home.

Shirley can't wait any longer, so she packs a bag and goes over to Reuben's pretending that she has decided to run away too. She says she is tired of being the ogre and has no-one to take care of. After all, mothers need to be loved too. Chris and Tracy feel bad and tell her that they will come home. They say they would have come home hours ago, but Reuben made them stay and play blackjack.
Synopsis written by April Dent

Songs:
I Would Have Loved You Anyway & Summer Days

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: Jerry London

Written by: Dick Bensfield & Perry Grant

Guest Stars: Elaine Giftos as Bonnie Kleinschmitt

Screen Shots: