The Partridge Family - Season 3, Episode 2 (51)
Title: M Is For The Many Things
First aired: September 22, 1972
Synopsis:
The kids invite Shirley to the Partridges garage for a grievance committee meeting. Shirley is a great and loving mother, nevertheless there are rules in the house, and kids, especially Danny would love to have more freedom. But face to face with Shirley, Danny, Keith and Susan are not so brave. Reuben interrupts the meeting with the great news that Shirley is awarded Mother of the Year by a magazine called ‘Women’s Journal’.
A special award dinner is organized in Sacramento at the weekend and Shirley is invited to attend with the kids. Reuben has already bought them air tickets. However, Shirley has another proposition. She wants to spend more time with her children and the Partridges will drive to Sacramento in their bus.
Shirley decides not to drive on the main route, instead she takes the scenic route. Unfortunately, very soon everything goes wrong. They drive on the wrong back roads and have to stop for lunch at a local, small diner. Everybody is awfully hungry, but Shirley discovers to her dismay that she’s left her wallet at home in another purse. Everything the family has is less than 2 dollars. What's worse Shirley is recognized by the waitress who has voted for her and is very happy to meet the Mother of the Year and her family. She is not impressed by Shirley’s order.
After the unhappy lunch the family decides to go straight to Sacramento, but Shirley hasn’t noticed a speed trap in Crater City. She doesn’t want to pay, feeling that it’s unfair because the speed sign had been hidden. Consequently, Deputy Haynie has to take them to Judge McElwreath. The deputy interrupts the judge's fishing trip, and both of them think Shirley being a celebrity can pay a bigger fine. But she refuses to sign any confession or pay anything. She is ready to go to jail rather than pay.
Finally, Keith shows the judge the magazine with Shirley’s picture on the cover. Of course, they can’t put The Mother of the Year in jail and the family can go without paying.
This is not the end of their adventures because very shortly after leaving Carter City they run out of gas. The road is very little travelled and when, finally, a passing farmer helps a penniless mother of the year, it’s very late, everybody is tired, hungry and very dirty.
Already a lot of invited guests are waiting for the Mother of the Year. Shirley doesn't know what to say and Keith saves the situation. He explains that their family is not perfect but always sticks together ‘through thick and thin’. This day has been very ‘thick', but he tells the audience that Shirley fully deserves the award. He gets a standing ovation for his speech.
Back at home, the Partridges again have a meeting in their garage. This time it is not a grieving committee’s meeting, but a presentation for a special family award for Shirley. She is declared the Year’s Worst Tour Guide!
Synopsis written by Weronika Cyrynger
Song:
As Long As There's You
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: Lou Antonio
Written by: William S. Bickley
Guest Stars: Edgar Buchanan as Judge McElwreath, Rick Hurst as Deputy Haynie, Yvonne Wilder as Sheila, Mitzi Hoag as Mrs. Halfussi, Jack Lukes as Driver
Screen Shots:
Thank you Weronika for the pictures.
