The Partridge Family - Season 2, Episode 23 (48)

Title: All’s War in Love and Fairs

First aired: March 10, 1972

Synopsis:

The episode opens with ‘Rainmaker’ on stage to a live audience.

The family prepare to leave Las Vegas for a much needed holiday. Rueben is hesitant as they board the bus. He would prefer they stay with him in Vegas and continue working, however, on their way to Arizona, the bus breaks down. Before long a kind local, Cal Courtney, kindly tows the bus to the nearest town for repairs. Cal acts as though he doesn’t recognise the famous singing family.

The family is deeply disappointed as Cal informs them time and time again, the repairs will take days to complete, rather than hours. They accept hospitality from Cal and his wife, by settling into their home while waiting for engine parts and repairs. They want more than anything to be on their way to the resort, rather than stuck in a small and isolated town.

Meanwhile, Cal and his wife continue with their plan to keep the family ‘hostage’ as long as they can. Realising the family could bring money to the town at the upcoming fair, they print and disperse advertising material with the heading…’Papago Indian Fair, starring The Partridge Family’.

To pass time, the family reluctantly participate in local activities, fishing and baking. While cleaning fish, Keith discovers the required engine parts have been in the shed all along. He describes his suspicions to the family and confronts Cal and his wife with accusations of a plot including being held against their will.

The family are met with more excuses.

Meanwhile, back in Vegas, Rueben has found out about the fair, declaring they cannot perform due to work contracts already in place. Reuben sets off to find the family, but soon is lost, with his car stuck in difficult terrain. He is approached by a group of Native Americans on horseback wearing traditional dress. Unknowingly, Reuben has been sent on a wild goose chase by Cam and his wife to delay Reuben’s arrival.

The family decide to venture a short distance in the bus to check the (apparent) flooded roads. Mrs Courtney suggests they come along to drop off donated clothes to the local Native American population on the way. Here, the family learn of the plight faced by many people suffering malnutrition and unemployment. Like the Courtney’s, the family want the population to have equal opportunities such as good health and education.

Shirley learns of the upcoming fair and offers to perform as a way to fund raise for a new school house. Only now do the family learn of the poster bulletins, headlining their appearance. All is well, as they want nothing more than to help.

‘C’mon Love’ is performed outdoors on the back of a large wagon. The audience claps, children dance and the fair is a great success.

Later, Cal opens a 1972 cider in celebration, declaring it to be the best year. The Courtney’s apologise for their deception in coercing the family to stay longer with the intention of having them headline the fair. They now realise that all people are the same, even famous people and they should have simply asked. The family were only too pleased to help.

Reuben appears at the door, dishevelled, bedraggled and frantic to avoid a lawsuit due to breaking contract promises back in Las Vegas.

Shirley smiles as she informs Reuben that she has dealt with the matter and all is well.
Synopsis written by Erin Sullivan

Song:
Rainmaker & C’mon, Love

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: Mel Swope

Written by: Bernard Slade and John Wilder

Guest Stars: Harry Morgan as Cal, Josephine Hutchinson as Amanda, Lee Casey as Tommy, Ivan Naranjo as Paul, Sandra Ego as Ruth.

Screen Shots: