The Partridge Family - Season 4, Episode 5 (79)

Title: Reuben Kincaid Lives

First aired: October 13, 1973

Synopsis:

Reuben's car has broken down while he’s been driving to fetch his girlfriend, a stewardess, Bonnie Kleinschmitd. Shirley’s invited them for dinner. While Reuben is at the family’s house there is a phone call for him, from Bonnie, who has to cancel their date. The kids make fun of him.

After Reuben leaves, Shirley tells the kids they should be nice to Reuben, he is like a member of the family, and she doesn’t like the way they treat him. Everyone is sorry, and Laurie proposes that since Reuben is having a birthday in a few days, they should organize a surprise birthday party for him. The family decides that from now on they will be very nice to their manager.

Reuben doesn’t know what to think about this new attitude. Everybody is so nice to him, and even during the concert Shirley tells the audience how important Reuben is for the family. Reuben starts thinking that maybe the Partridges are hiding the truth about his result from his annual physical from him, and that he is dying. He starts writing his last will and is terrified when his mother arrives.

The secret party is ready, Shirley takes a very depressed Reuben to the restaurant, the cake is brought in and the guests appear - the kids, Reuben’s mother and Bonnie. Everyone has presents for him and are happy but not Reuben, he still thinks he is going to die. Eventually, his mother gets angry with him, takes back her present and says she wants to leave. This finally convinces Reuben that he is fine as his mother wouldn’t waste money going home and then have to come back again for his funeral.
Written by Weronika Cyrynger

Songs:
"I Got Your Love All Over Me", "Just Loving You" (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: E. W. Swackhamer

Written by: Steve Zacharias and Michael Leeson

Guest Stars: Elaine Giftos as Bonnie Kleinschmidt, Margaret Hamilton as Clara Kincaid

Screen Shots: