The Partridge Family - Season 3, Episode 15 (64)

Title: For Whom The Bell Tolls..And Tolls..And Tolls

First aired: January 12, 1973

Synopsis:
The Partridges prepare to go for a picnic with their manager, Reuben Kincaid. When Keith goes to the living room he discovers that some valuable items are missing. Apparently, someone had broken into their house that night and took a TV, radio and stereo and no one heard anything while sleeping upstairs.

Reuben decides to do something for the Partridges’ security; he has a burglar alarm installed in their house. It’s a present and he is very proud of himself. Sensor pads are set in various places under the carpets, also in the garage. But it’s hard to get used to the system, and the Partridges keep setting off the alarm accidentally. After a few days the police started to ignore the alarm. What's worse the sound is very loud and everybody in the neighborhood has had enough of it. The neighbors not only complain, but also write petitions to stop the alarm. Shirley and the kids would like to get rid of it too, they have had enough of its shrill sound.

When Shirley goes to the garage to turn off the alarm, she finds a man with a gun there. The man doesn’t look like a typical criminal. He tells Shirley his name is Morris Dinkler, an ex-con who’s escaped from prison, and the Partridges’ house is a perfect hideout because the police will pay no attention to the alarm.

When Reuben arrives, he becomes a hostage too. Morris is very impressed when Reuben tells him that he imprisoned The Partridge Family. He likes their music very much. He is really a nice, kind man and tells the family he took part in a robbery under pressure, he also didn’t want to escape from jail, but had no choice as he was taken along by the escaping prisoners. To kill time Morris plays Monopoly with Danny, Chris and Tracy and proposes the family should do what they normally do, so Shirley tells him they will go to the garage to rehearse. Morris asked if he could join the family and play with them. He has a harmonica with him, and the Partridges and Reuben discover that what they thought was a gun, in fact was a harmonica.

Shirley, kids and Reuben convince Morris that he should turn himself in to the police and that they also want to testify on his behalf. When the police come, Morris learns that they’ve known all along that he was a hostage on the breakout from prison.
Synopsis written by Weronika Cyrynger

Song:
Sunshine Eyes

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: E. W. Swackhamer

Written by: Dale Mcraven

Guest stars: Arte Johnson as Morris Dinkler, Nelson D. Cuevas as Officer Metscur, Mel Gallagher as Sam Barner

Screen Shots: