The Partridge Family - Season 4, Episode 15 (89)

Title: Danny Drops Out

First aired: January 26, 1974

Synopsis:
Danny announces to Shirley, Keith and Laurie that he is resigning from school. He feels that it’s a big waste of time, he doesn’t like any subject and he already knows what he wants to do in life. He wants to be a songwriter and because of school he doesn’t have enough time for writing. Of course, it’s out of the question, but Shirley goes to his school to meet with Danny’s guidance counsellor, Miss Farrow, to ask what to do. Danny has a lot of troubles at school, he doesn’t behave well, he is also very stubborn. Miss Farrow has a very unusual and courageous proposition. Let Danny think that he really has dropped out and find out by himself that life without school is boring and not as easy as he thinks. But under one condition, he has to set a goal and pursue it. Danny is very happy and promises he will do his best.

The next day, instead of going to school Danny starts writing songs. After 12 minutes at the piano he tells Shirley that he feels ‘bushed’ and goes to the taco stand to talk with his pals. But they are only interested in things which happen at school and are in a hurry for basketball practice. It is the same at home. Everybody is busy learning; only Danny has nothing to do.

Reuben has a proposition. He is to meet with a millionaire, Claude Tubbles, and is certain that meeting with a successful businessman makes Danny understand that education is important. Danny is very impressed by Mr Tubbles, but Shirley and Reuben have an unpleasant surprise, when a millionaire tells Danny that he is a drop out from school like him. Danny changes his goal, now he wants to be a millionaire.

Danny starts getting on everybody's nerves and Shirley again asks Miss Farrow for advice. Danny must choose - a school or work, he has to do something. Of course, Danny can get only the simplest kind of jobs, he doesn’t have an education or experience. He is very disappointed but certain that Mr Tubbles will understand and give him a job in his company. But the businessman tells Danny that he is so successful because very well educated and creative people work for him, and Danny should finish school before thinking about working in his company.

At home Danny tells Shirley about his disappointment and that he’s made a fool of himself. Shirley tells him not to be sad, it was just a lesson he’s learnt. Next morning Danny is very surprised that, unlike him, no one is ready for school yet, and he tells his brothers and sisters that education is very important. Danny has wanted to go to school again so much that he’s forgotten that it is Saturday.
Written by Weronika Cyrynger

Songs:
Lookin' For A Good Time

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: Roger Duchowny

Written by: Dick Bensfield, Perry Grant

Guest Stars: James Gregory as Claude Tubbles, Mitzi Hoag as Miss Farrow, Gary Durbin as Punky Lazaar

Screen Shots: