The Partridge Family - Season 4, Episode 1 (75)

Title: Hate Thy Neighbor

First aired: September 15, 1973

Synopsis:
During The Partridge Family practice session in their garage, a young boy walks in and listens to the rehearsed song. Ricky’s family have just moved into the neighborhood. He tells them that he wants to become a musician too. Their conversation is interrupted by a police officer. He is sorry to inform the family that there was a complaint made by Mrs Stevens because of the noise. Ricky tells the family that Mrs Stevens is his mum, and she doesn’t like music. Shirley goes to meet with her to explain the situation.

Mrs Stevens is a woman with a strong will and views. She doesn’t like show business and doesn’t respect show-business people, so her conversation with Shirley doesn’t end well. Mrs Stevens doesn’t care that the family must rehearse, and Shirley doesn’t want to give up.

But what to do? Go on rehearsing in the garage? Rent a studio to practice? Reuben is confident that he will charm Mrs Stevens, he wants to invite her for a dinner and show her town’s attractions, but she is not going to befriend Reuben and pours water from a garden hose on him.

It’s the kids turn to try to improve the situation. The young Partridges invite Ricky and his older sister Donna for a meeting in the garage. Donna is very nice and pretty, and a fan of Keith. Together they decide that a family picnic will be a great idea. At first Shirley is against the idea but agrees to invite Mrs Stevens and her kids. During the picnic Keith invites Mrs Stevens for the upcoming concert. She replies that she only listens to ‘important music, not pop. Although all members of both families do their best and Shirley even baked a cake, the picnic is not a success. Mrs Stevens is simply not a nice woman, she is selfish and rude, and finally Shirley has enough and leaves.

Mrs Stevens is sorry when she sees the wonderful cake Shirley has made just for her and so she, Donna and Ricky attend the evening concert. Keith invites small Ricky on stage and introduces him. The boy sings a song he’s practiced with the Partridges in the morning. The plan goes perfectly well; Mrs Stevens is very proud of her son and enjoys the concert very much. The family can practice again at their garage.
Synopsis written by Weronika Cyrynger.

Songs:
"I'll Never Get Over You", "Sooner or Later" (Ricky)

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: Richard Kinon

Written by: George Tibbles and William S. Bickley

Guest Stars: Nita Talbot as Doris Stevens, Ronne Troup as Donna Stevens, Theodore Wilson as Sam Mulvaney, Ricky Segall as Ricky

Screen Shots: