The Partridge Family
Encyclopedia
The Partridge Family is an American television sitcom about a widowed mother and her five children who embark on a music career. The series originally ran from September 25, 1970 until August 31, 1974, the last new episode airing on March 23, 1974, on the ABC
network, as part of a Friday-night lineup. It had subsequent runs in syndication
.
, the series' Executive Producer was Bob Claver. It was inspired by and loosely based on The Cowsills
, an actual pop music family that had been famous in the late 1960s. In its early development, the Cowsill children were considered by the producers for featuring on The Partridge Family, but because they were not trained actors, Slade and Claver decided to abandon that idea. Shirley Jones
had already been signed as mother Shirley Partridge and star of the show.
), to help them out by singing as they record a pop song in their garage. Through the efforts of precocious 10-year-old Danny, they find a manager, Reuben Kincaid (Dave Madden
), who helps make the song a Top-40 hit. After some more persuading, Shirley agrees that the family can go on tour. They acquire an old school bus for touring, paint it with Mondrian inspired patterns, and depart to Las Vegas
for their first live gig at Caesars Palace
. The Partridge children were played by David Cassidy
(Jones' real-life stepson) as her eldest son Keith, Susan Dey
as Laurie, Danny Bonaduce
as Danny, Jeremy Gelbwaks
as Chris, and Suzanne Crough
as Tracy.
Subsequent episodes usually feature the band performing in various venues or in their garage. The shows would often contrast suburban life with the adventures of a show business family on the road. After the first season, more of the show's action took place in their hometown rather than on tour.
At the end of the first season, Jeremy Gelbwaks' family moved out of the Los Angeles area, and the part of Chris was recast with actor Brian Forster
. A dog named "Simone" was featured in the first season, but was phased out during the second season. At the beginning of the fourth season, a four-year-old neighbor named Ricky Stevens (Ricky Segall) was featured and would sing a children's song during each episode, but was dropped mid-season. ABC moved the show from its 8:30 p.m. Friday night slot to Saturday at 8:00 p.m. (opposite CBS' top-rated All in the Family
), and after 96 episodes and eight Partridge Family albums, the show ended.
Country singer Johnny Cash
made a cameo appearance
in the pilot episode. Ray Bolger
played Shirley's father in three episodes, and Rosemary DeCamp
played Shirley's mother in four episodes. Then-Governor Ronald Reagan
's daughter, Maureen Reagan
, was also featured in one episode. Future Charlie's Angels
stars, Jaclyn Smith
, Farrah Fawcett
and Cheryl Ladd
all made guest appearances on separate episodes.
Bobby Sherman
appeared in episode 25 (the last episode of the first season) as struggling songwriter Bobby Conway; this episode led into a short-lived spinoff series on ABC, Getting Together
, starring Sherman and Wes Stern as Bobby Conway's business partner Lionel Poindexter.
The Partridge Family was produced for ABC by Screen Gems
. The company promoted the show by releasing a series of albums featuring the family band, though most cast members did not actually play on the recordings. Led by music producer Wes Farrell
, a group of hired studio musicians (informally referred to as the Wrecking Crew
) actually created the Partridge Family's sound. The harmonious background vocalists were brothers John and Tom Bahler, Jackie Ward and Ron Hicklin (initially the Ron Hicklin Singers
). David Cassidy was originally to lip sync
with the rest of the cast, but he convinced Farrell just weeks into production that he could sing and was allowed to join the studio ensemble as the lead singer. He and Shirley Jones, who sang background, were the only cast members who were actually featured on the recordings.
Despite best attempts, the Partridge Family Theme, shown over opening credits, underwent more than one incarnation. Initial episodes feature the song "When We're Singin'" in place of the popular title later used, "C'mon Get Happy". The latter -- a play upon the 1920s song "Get Happy
" which also features the tag "Come on, Get Happy (were gonna chase all your blues away)" -- was likely a hidden influence in the "wide-audience appeal" approach of the show and its music. Significant is the verse lyric that began the initial theme "When We're Singin'":
Later, when the new version appeared, it featured new lyrics sung to the "When We're Singin'" tune. With the new chorus finalized, "C'mon Get Happy" showcased the new verse:
Also of interest, when the first theme is replaced by Danny Janssen's new lyric, the "outro" credits music bed is also replaced, from the organ/horn call-and-response music, to a newer jazzy instrumental of the title theme, which Janssen likely saw no profit from, as it featured no lyric, only the Wes Farrell tune. In the pilot episode, an unreleased song, "Together (Havin' A Ball)", is featured prominently. This song is not the Partridge Family that we eventually would know, and does not feature Cassidy/Jones vocal layering later added to studio musicals and singers. The lyrics of "Together (Havin' A Ball)", as transcribed, were clearly intended to be in contention for the series theme. This song, which was never available on any Partridge LP, was likely buried by producers. However, thankfully for many fans, the song was finally released 35 years after the fact in 2005 on a 'Very Best of' CD compilation. The production was "very Saturday Morning" sounding, being written and recorded by the same folks who composed the theme for Josie and The Pussycats
, among others. The lyric combines elements of current pop, The Beatles
' Come Together
, and Elvis Presley
's personal slogan "TCB", or Taking Care of Business, along with narrative, "Just doin' their number" and "playin' and singin'" their "new sound." The song has been credited to The Love Generation, a group of LA studio musicians [similar to the Wrecking Crew] and jingle singers, but in reality these featured the background vocalists who recorded on ALL of the Partridge Family platters, so it is considered a lost track.
As the show and other associated merchandising took off, David Cassidy became a teen idol
. The producers signed Cassidy as a solo act as well. Cassidy began touring with his own group of musicians, performing Partridge songs as well as hits from his own albums, to thousands of screaming teenagers in major stadiums across the USA, UK, Europe, Japan and Australia.
The Partridge Family's biggest hit came in 1970 with the song I Think I Love You
, written by Tony Romeo
(who had previously written several of the Cowsills' hits), peaked at Number 1 on the Billboard
charts in December of that year. It sold over five million copies, was awarded a gold disc
, and made the group the third fictional artist to have a #1 hit (after The Chipmunks
and The Archies
). The song's companion LP, The Partridge Family Album
, reached Number 4 in the Billboard 200
. It was also awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in December 1970, having sold over one million copies. A string of hit Partridge singles followed: "Doesn't Somebody Want to Be Wanted
", "I'll Meet You Halfway
", "I Woke Up In Love This Morning
", "It's One of Those Nights (Yes Love)
", "Am I Losing You", "Looking Through The Eyes Of Love", "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do", and "A Friend And A Lover." These singles were showcased on million selling albums including "Up To Date", "Sound Magazine", "Shopping Bag", "Notebook", "Crossword Puzzle", and "Bulletin Board." The Partridge Family's "Christmas Card" album was the #1 selling Christmas record of 1971. Record sales success was replicated internationally with The Partridge Family achieving huge hits in Canada, Great Britain, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
In the midst of his rise to fame, David Cassidy soon grew tired of the show. In the summer of 1972, he gave an interview to Rolling Stone
magazine in which he attempted to distance himself from the squeaky-clean image of Keith Partridge.
Though Danny Bonaduce was not part of the session band, he, too, got a recording contract, and circa 1972 released a self-titled album, Danny Bonaduce. Though Bonaduce was credited as lead singer on all the songs, he insists that he had a very weak voice and that Bruce Roberts
provided most of the vocals on the album. The first track on the album, a song entitled "I'll Be Your Magician", in which the 13-year-old Bonaduce seduces a woman into having sexual intercourse with him, has developed a cult following
for its campy
entertainment value. The original, watered-down, version of the song was recorded with Cassidy for the "Sound Magazine" album, but it was discarded and never released. In fall 2010, Cassidy dared Bonaduce to learn how to play the bass guitar lines on the songs the Partridge Family performed. Bonaduce learned the bass guitar line for "Doesn't Somebody Want to Be Wanted", stating that although he had no ability to read music, the song was relatively easy to learn; Cassidy and Bonaduce have performed together on rare occasions since that time.
In all, The Partridge Family released 89 songs between 1970-1973, on 8 albums and one non-LP single.
. That idea evolved into a CBS
Saturday morning Hanna-Barbera
-produced cartoon in 1974, Partridge Family 2200 A.D.
(also called The Partridge Family in Outer Space when rerun later as part of Fred Flintstone and Friends
). Shirley Jones and David Cassidy did not voice their animated counterparts, and Susan Dey and Dave Madden had very limited involvement with this cartoon. During a Feb. 2, 2008 interview with Mark Simone
on WABC Radio
's Saturday Night Oldies
show, Jones had no recollection of any animated version of the series ever being produced.
featured a run of The Partridge Family in the mid-90s as part of its Nick-At-Nite lineup. The network used interviews and commercials featuring cast members, and created a new version of the bus for promotion. The show also aired at various times on Fox Family
, ION Television, and Hallmark Channel
. , it airs on Antenna TV
.
The cast was reunited in the 90's on the Arsenio Hall Show and The Danny Bonaduce Show and were featured on The E! True Hollywood Story, Biography
and VH1's Behind The Music
.
When the digital subchannel Antenna TV
premiered in January 2011, The Partridge Family became one of its offerings through the network's distribution agreement with Sony Pictures Television
(parent company of series producer Screen Gems
).
has released all 4 Seasons of The Partridge Family in DVD Region 1. Seasons 1 and 2 have been released in region 2 and 4.
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
network, as part of a Friday-night lineup. It had subsequent runs in syndication
Television syndication
In broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast radio shows and television shows by multiple radio stations and television stations, without going through a broadcast network, though the process of syndication may conjure up structures like those of a network itself, by its very...
.
History
Created for television by Bernard SladeBernard Slade
Bernard Slade is a Canadian playwright and screenwriter.Born in St. Catharines, Ontario, Slade began his career as an actor with the Garden Center Theatre in Vineland, Ontario. In the mid-1960s, he relocated to Hollywood and began to work as a writer for television sitcoms, including Bewitched...
, the series' Executive Producer was Bob Claver. It was inspired by and loosely based on The Cowsills
The Cowsills
The Cowsills are an American singing group from Newport, Rhode Island. They specialized in harmonies and the ability to sing and play music at an early age. The band was formed in the spring of 1965 by brothers Bill, Bob, and Barry, then shortly thereafter added John...
, an actual pop music family that had been famous in the late 1960s. In its early development, the Cowsill children were considered by the producers for featuring on The Partridge Family, but because they were not trained actors, Slade and Claver decided to abandon that idea. Shirley Jones
Shirley Jones
Shirley Mae Jones is an American singer and actress of stage, film and television. In her six decades of television, she starred as wholesome characters in a number of well-known musical films, such as Oklahoma! , Carousel , and The Music Man...
had already been signed as mother Shirley Partridge and star of the show.
Storyline
In the pilot episode, a group of musical siblings in the fictitious city of San Pueblo, California convinces their recently widowed mother, Shirley Partridge (Shirley JonesShirley Jones
Shirley Mae Jones is an American singer and actress of stage, film and television. In her six decades of television, she starred as wholesome characters in a number of well-known musical films, such as Oklahoma! , Carousel , and The Music Man...
), to help them out by singing as they record a pop song in their garage. Through the efforts of precocious 10-year-old Danny, they find a manager, Reuben Kincaid (Dave Madden
Dave Madden
Dave Madden is a Canadian-born American actor. He was born in Sarnia, Ontario, but was raised in Terre Haute, Indiana. His most famous role came in the 1970s sitcom The Partridge Family in which he played the group's manager, Reuben Kincaid.- Career :Madden first gained notice as a milk-drinking,...
), who helps make the song a Top-40 hit. After some more persuading, Shirley agrees that the family can go on tour. They acquire an old school bus for touring, paint it with Mondrian inspired patterns, and depart to Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
for their first live gig at Caesars Palace
Caesars Palace
Caesars Palace is a luxury hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, an unincorporated township in Clark County, Nevada, United States in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Caesars Palace is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment Corp....
. The Partridge children were played by David Cassidy
David Cassidy
David Bruce Cassidy is an American actor, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his role as the character of Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical/sitcom The Partridge Family. He was one of pop culture's most celebrated teen idols, enjoying a successful pop career in the 1970s, and...
(Jones' real-life stepson) as her eldest son Keith, Susan Dey
Susan Dey
Susan Dey is an American actress, known primarily for her roles in film and television. Her more prominent parts came as elder daughter, Laurie Partridge, on the 1970s sitcom The Partridge Family, and as Grace Van Owen, a California assistant district attorney and judge on the dramatic series, L.A...
as Laurie, Danny Bonaduce
Danny Bonaduce
Dante Daniel "Danny" Bonaduce is an American radio/television personality, comedian, professional wrestler, and former child actor...
as Danny, Jeremy Gelbwaks
Jeremy Gelbwaks
Jeremy Gelbwaks was a child actor who starred in the television series The Partridge Family from 1970 to 1971.-Career:...
as Chris, and Suzanne Crough
Suzanne Crough
Suzanne Crough is a former actress who is best known for her role in the hit television Sitcom The Partridge Family. The show ran from 1970 to 1974.-Career:...
as Tracy.
Subsequent episodes usually feature the band performing in various venues or in their garage. The shows would often contrast suburban life with the adventures of a show business family on the road. After the first season, more of the show's action took place in their hometown rather than on tour.
At the end of the first season, Jeremy Gelbwaks' family moved out of the Los Angeles area, and the part of Chris was recast with actor Brian Forster
Brian Forster
Brian Forster was the second actor to play the role of Chris Partridge in the television series The Partridge Family.-Biography:...
. A dog named "Simone" was featured in the first season, but was phased out during the second season. At the beginning of the fourth season, a four-year-old neighbor named Ricky Stevens (Ricky Segall) was featured and would sing a children's song during each episode, but was dropped mid-season. ABC moved the show from its 8:30 p.m. Friday night slot to Saturday at 8:00 p.m. (opposite CBS' top-rated All in the Family
All in the Family
All in the Family is an American sitcom that was originally broadcast on the CBS television network from January 12, 1971, to April 8, 1979. In September 1979, a new show, Archie Bunker's Place, picked up where All in the Family had ended...
), and after 96 episodes and eight Partridge Family albums, the show ended.
Cast members
- Shirley JonesShirley JonesShirley Mae Jones is an American singer and actress of stage, film and television. In her six decades of television, she starred as wholesome characters in a number of well-known musical films, such as Oklahoma! , Carousel , and The Music Man...
as Shirley Partridge: vocals, keyboards, tambourineTambourineThe tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all....
, percussion - David CassidyDavid CassidyDavid Bruce Cassidy is an American actor, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his role as the character of Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical/sitcom The Partridge Family. He was one of pop culture's most celebrated teen idols, enjoying a successful pop career in the 1970s, and...
as Keith Partridge: lead vocals, lead guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, banjoBanjoIn the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new... - Susan DeySusan DeySusan Dey is an American actress, known primarily for her roles in film and television. Her more prominent parts came as elder daughter, Laurie Partridge, on the 1970s sitcom The Partridge Family, and as Grace Van Owen, a California assistant district attorney and judge on the dramatic series, L.A...
as Laurie Partridge: vocals, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, percussion - Danny BonaduceDanny BonaduceDante Daniel "Danny" Bonaduce is an American radio/television personality, comedian, professional wrestler, and former child actor...
as Danny Partridge: vocals, bass, occasional guitar (acoustic, electric) - Jeremy GelbwaksJeremy GelbwaksJeremy Gelbwaks was a child actor who starred in the television series The Partridge Family from 1970 to 1971.-Career:...
as Chris Partridge (season 1): vocals, drumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s - Suzanne CroughSuzanne CroughSuzanne Crough is a former actress who is best known for her role in the hit television Sitcom The Partridge Family. The show ran from 1970 to 1974.-Career:...
as Tracy Partridge: vocals, tambourineTambourineThe tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all....
, percussion - Dave MaddenDave MaddenDave Madden is a Canadian-born American actor. He was born in Sarnia, Ontario, but was raised in Terre Haute, Indiana. His most famous role came in the 1970s sitcom The Partridge Family in which he played the group's manager, Reuben Kincaid.- Career :Madden first gained notice as a milk-drinking,...
as Reuben Kincaid: band manager - Brian ForsterBrian ForsterBrian Forster was the second actor to play the role of Chris Partridge in the television series The Partridge Family.-Biography:...
as Chris Partridge (seasons 2-4): vocals, drumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s - Ricky Segall as Ricky Stevens: singer (1973–1974)
Guest stars
During its four season run, many actors made guest appearances on the show.| Alan Oppenheimer Alan Oppenheimer Alan Oppenheimer is an American character actor and voice actor. He has performed numerous roles on live-action television since the 1960s, and has had an active career doing voice work in cartoons since the 1970s.-Early life:... |
Ann Jillian Ann Jillian Ann Jillian is an American actress, who started acting at age 10. Her career reached its zenith in the 1980s, with her best-known role being that of waitress Cassie Cranston on the sitcom It's a Living.-Early life and career:... |
Ann Morgan Guilbert Ann Morgan Guilbert Ann Morgan Guilbert , sometimes credited as Ann Guilbert, is an American actress, who played the neighbor Millie Helper in 61 episodes of the early 1960s’ sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, and later Yetta Rosenberg, Fran Fine’s doddering grandmother, in 56 episodes of the 1990s’ sitcom The Nanny... |
Annette O'Toole Annette O'Toole Annette O'Toole is an American actress, dancer, and singer-songwriter. She is most recently known for portraying Martha Kent, the mother of Clark Kent on the television series Smallville.-Early life and career:... |
Arte Johnson Arte Johnson Arthur Stanton Eric "Arte" Johnson is an American comic actor. Johnson was a regular on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. His best-remembered "character" was that of a German soldier with the catchphrase: "Verrrry interesting, but...['stupid', 'not very funny', and other variations]".-Early life:Johnson... |
| Barbara Rhoades Barbara Rhoades Barbara Rhoades is an American actress, known primarily for her comedy and mystery roles, especially as lady bandit Penelope "Bad Penny" Cushings in The Shakiest Gun in the West... |
Bernard Fox | Bert Convy Bert Convy Bernard Whalen "Bert" Convy was an Emmy Award winning American actor, singer, game show host and panelist known for his tenure as the host for Tattletales, Super Password, and Win, Lose or Draw.-Early life:... |
Brooke Bundy Brooke Bundy Brooke Bundy is an American actress who has appeared in a number of films and television shows.-Movie:She is perhaps best known for her role as Elaine Parker in the 1987 hit horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors and its sequel, A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master... |
Bruce Kimmel Bruce Kimmel Bruce Kimmel , also known as Guy Haines, is an actor, writer, director, composer, and Grammy-nominated CD producer. Kimmel lives in Los Angeles, California... |
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Charlotte Rae Charlotte Rae Charlotte Rae is a prolific American character actress of stage, comedienne, singer and dancer, who in her six decades of television is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Edna Garrett in the sitcoms Diff'rent Strokes and The Facts of Life... |
Cheryl Ladd Cheryl Ladd Cheryl Ladd is an American actress, singer and author. Ladd is best known for her role as Kris Munroe in the television series Charlie's Angels, hired amid a swirl of publicity prior to its second season in 1977 to replace the departing Farrah Fawcett-Majors... |
Dick Clark | Dick Wilson Dick Wilson Dick Wilson, born Riccardo DiGuglielmo , was a British-born American character actor who played the role of finicky grocery store manager Mr... |
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Elaine Giftos Elaine Giftos Elaine Giftos is an American actress.Trained by George Balanchine as a member of the New York City Ballet, Giftos performed on the Broadway stage before moving to California to pursue a career in movies and television.Her first television appearance was in an episode of I Dream of Jeannie as a... |
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Noam Pitlik Noam Pitlik Noam Pitlik was an American television director and actor. In 1979, Pitlik won an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for his work on the ABC-TV sitcom Barney Miller.-Early life and career:... |
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Richard Mulligan Richard Mulligan Richard Mulligan was an American television and film actor best known for his role as Burt Campbell in the 1970s sitcom Soap and later as Dr. Harry Weston on The Golden Girls and its spin-off Empty Nest.-Early life:He was born in New York City, the younger brother of director Robert Mulligan... |
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| Rosemary DeCamp Rosemary DeCamp Rosemary DeCamp was an American radio, film and television actress.DeCamp first came to fame in November 1937, when she took the role of Judy Price, the secretary of Dr. Christian in the long-running radio series of the same name. She made her film debut in Cheers for Miss Bishop and appeared in... |
Season Hubley Season Hubley -Biography:Hubley was born Susan Hubley in New York City, the daughter of Julia Kaul and Grant Shelby Hubley, a writer and entrepreneur. Her brother is actor Whip Hubley.... |
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Tony Geary |
| Val Bisoglio Val Bisoglio Val Bisoglio is an Italian-American character actor primarily known for his work on television. Bisoglio performed in numerous TV series in the 1970s including M*A*S*H, Roll Out, Kojak and The Rockford Files... |
Vic Tayback Vic Tayback Victor "Vic" Tayback was an American actor.-Life and career:Tayback was born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, the son of Helen and Najeeb James Tayback. His parents were immigrants from Aleppo, Syria. Tayback moved with his family to Burbank, California, during his teenage years and attended... |
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William Windom William Windom (actor) William Windom is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his work on television, including several episodes of The Twilight Zone; playing the character of Glen Morley, a congressman from Minnesota like his own great-grandfather and namesake in The Farmer's Daughter; the character of John... |
Country singer Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
made a cameo appearance
Cameo appearance
A cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
in the pilot episode. Ray Bolger
Ray Bolger
Raymond Wallace "Ray" Bolger was an American entertainer of stage and screen, best known for his portrayal of the Scarecrow and Kansas farmworker Hank in The Wizard of Oz.-Early life:...
played Shirley's father in three episodes, and Rosemary DeCamp
Rosemary DeCamp
Rosemary DeCamp was an American radio, film and television actress.DeCamp first came to fame in November 1937, when she took the role of Judy Price, the secretary of Dr. Christian in the long-running radio series of the same name. She made her film debut in Cheers for Miss Bishop and appeared in...
played Shirley's mother in four episodes. Then-Governor Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
's daughter, Maureen Reagan
Maureen Reagan
Maureen Elizabeth Reagan was the first child of former President Ronald Reagan and his first wife, Jane Wyman...
, was also featured in one episode. Future Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels is a television series about three women who work for a private investigation agency, and is one of the first shows to showcase women in roles traditionally reserved for men...
stars, Jaclyn Smith
Jaclyn Smith
Jacquelyn Ellen "Jaclyn" Smith is an American actress and businesswoman. She is best-known for the role of Kelly Garrett in the television series Charlie's Angels, and was the only original female lead to remain with the series for its complete run...
, Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett was an American actress and artist. A multiple Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominee, Fawcett rose to international fame when she first appeared as private investigator Jill Munroe in the first season of the television series Charlie's Angels, in 1976...
and Cheryl Ladd
Cheryl Ladd
Cheryl Ladd is an American actress, singer and author. Ladd is best known for her role as Kris Munroe in the television series Charlie's Angels, hired amid a swirl of publicity prior to its second season in 1977 to replace the departing Farrah Fawcett-Majors...
all made guest appearances on separate episodes.
Bobby Sherman
Bobby Sherman
Robert Cabot "Bobby" Sherman, Jr. , is an American singer, actor and occasional songwriter, who became a popular teen idol in the late 1960s and early 1970s.He graduated in 1961 from Birmingham High School in Van Nuys, California...
appeared in episode 25 (the last episode of the first season) as struggling songwriter Bobby Conway; this episode led into a short-lived spinoff series on ABC, Getting Together
Getting Together (TV series)
Getting Together was a musical situation comedy, which aired on the ABC television network during the 1971-72 season. It starred Bobby Sherman and Wes Stern as Bobby Conway and Lionel Poindexter, a songwriting duo...
, starring Sherman and Wes Stern as Bobby Conway's business partner Lionel Poindexter.
Music
Screen Gems
Screen Gems is an American movie production company and subsidiary company of Sony Pictures Entertainment's Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group that has served several different purposes for its parent companies over the decades since its incorporation....
. The company promoted the show by releasing a series of albums featuring the family band, though most cast members did not actually play on the recordings. Led by music producer Wes Farrell
Wes Farrell
Wes Farrell was an American musician, songwriter and record producer, who was most active in the 1960s and 1970s...
, a group of hired studio musicians (informally referred to as the Wrecking Crew
The Wrecking Crew (music)
The Wrecking Crew was a nickname coined by the drummer Hal Blaine after the fact for a group of session musicians in Los Angeles, California, who earned wide acclaim in the 1960s. They backed dozens of popular singers, and were one of the most successful "groups" of studio musicians in music history...
) actually created the Partridge Family's sound. The harmonious background vocalists were brothers John and Tom Bahler, Jackie Ward and Ron Hicklin (initially the Ron Hicklin Singers
Ron Hicklin Singers
The Ron Hicklin Singers were a group of Los Angeles studio singers contracted and organized by Ron Hicklin. They are most famously known as the real singers behind the background vocals on The Partridge Family recordings....
). David Cassidy was originally to lip sync
Lip sync
Lip sync, lip-sync, lip-synch is a technical term for matching lip movements with sung or spoken vocals...
with the rest of the cast, but he convinced Farrell just weeks into production that he could sing and was allowed to join the studio ensemble as the lead singer. He and Shirley Jones, who sang background, were the only cast members who were actually featured on the recordings.
Despite best attempts, the Partridge Family Theme, shown over opening credits, underwent more than one incarnation. Initial episodes feature the song "When We're Singin'" in place of the popular title later used, "C'mon Get Happy". The latter -- a play upon the 1920s song "Get Happy
Get Happy (song)
"Get Happy" is a song composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics written by Ted Koehler.It was the first song they wrote together, and was introduced by Ruth Etting in The Nine-Fifteen Revue in 1930....
" which also features the tag "Come on, Get Happy (were gonna chase all your blues away)" -- was likely a hidden influence in the "wide-audience appeal" approach of the show and its music. Significant is the verse lyric that began the initial theme "When We're Singin'":
"Five of us, and Mom working all day,
we knew we could help her if our music would pay,
Danny got Reuben to sell our song, and it really
came together when Mom sang along..." (from "When we're Singin')
Later, when the new version appeared, it featured new lyrics sung to the "When We're Singin'" tune. With the new chorus finalized, "C'mon Get Happy" showcased the new verse:
"We had a dream, we'd go travelin' together,
We'd spread a little lovin' then we'd keep movin' on.
Somethin' always happens whenever we're together
We get a happy feelin' when we're singing a song... (from "C'Mon Get Happy")
Also of interest, when the first theme is replaced by Danny Janssen's new lyric, the "outro" credits music bed is also replaced, from the organ/horn call-and-response music, to a newer jazzy instrumental of the title theme, which Janssen likely saw no profit from, as it featured no lyric, only the Wes Farrell tune. In the pilot episode, an unreleased song, "Together (Havin' A Ball)", is featured prominently. This song is not the Partridge Family that we eventually would know, and does not feature Cassidy/Jones vocal layering later added to studio musicals and singers. The lyrics of "Together (Havin' A Ball)", as transcribed, were clearly intended to be in contention for the series theme. This song, which was never available on any Partridge LP, was likely buried by producers. However, thankfully for many fans, the song was finally released 35 years after the fact in 2005 on a 'Very Best of' CD compilation. The production was "very Saturday Morning" sounding, being written and recorded by the same folks who composed the theme for Josie and The Pussycats
Josie and the Pussycats (TV series)
Josie and the Pussycats is an American animated television series, based upon the Archie Comics comic book series of the same name created by Dan DeCarlo....
, among others. The lyric combines elements of current pop, The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' Come Together
Come Together
"Come Together" is a song by The Beatles written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney. The song is the opening track on The Beatles' September 1969 album Abbey Road....
, and Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
's personal slogan "TCB", or Taking Care of Business, along with narrative, "Just doin' their number" and "playin' and singin'" their "new sound." The song has been credited to The Love Generation, a group of LA studio musicians [similar to the Wrecking Crew] and jingle singers, but in reality these featured the background vocalists who recorded on ALL of the Partridge Family platters, so it is considered a lost track.
As the show and other associated merchandising took off, David Cassidy became a teen idol
Teen idol
A teen idol is a celebrity who is widely idolized by teenagers; he or she is often young but not necessarily teenaged. Often teen idols are actors or pop singers, but some sports figures have an appeal to teenagers. Some teen idols began their careers as child actors...
. The producers signed Cassidy as a solo act as well. Cassidy began touring with his own group of musicians, performing Partridge songs as well as hits from his own albums, to thousands of screaming teenagers in major stadiums across the USA, UK, Europe, Japan and Australia.
The Partridge Family's biggest hit came in 1970 with the song I Think I Love You
I Think I Love You
"I Think I Love You" is a 1970 single by The Partridge Family, featuring David Cassidy, composed by songwriter Tony Romeo. The song was released at the same time as the debut of the network television sitcom The Partridge Family. During the show's first season the song was featured on the show...
, written by Tony Romeo
Tony Romeo
Tony Romeo was an American songwriter. He is famous for writing the No.1 hit "I Think I Love You" by The Partridge Family as well as many other hit records, mostly during the 1960s and 1970s....
(who had previously written several of the Cowsills' hits), peaked at Number 1 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
charts in December of that year. It sold over five million copies, was awarded a gold disc
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
, and made the group the third fictional artist to have a #1 hit (after The Chipmunks
The Chipmunks
Alvin and the Chipmunks is an American animated music group created by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. in 1958. The group consists of three singing animated anthropomorphic chipmunks: Alvin, the mischievous troublemaker, who quickly became the star of the group; Simon, the tall, bespectacled intellectual;...
and The Archies
The Archies
The Archies are a garage band founded by Archie Andrews, Reggie Mantle, and Jughead Jones, a group of adolescent fictional characters of the Archie universe, in the context of the animated TV series, The Archie Show...
). The song's companion LP, The Partridge Family Album
The Partridge Family Album
The Partridge Family Album is The Partridge Family's first album. It was released in 1970 and included their first recording, "I Think I Love You". It has a picture of the whole family on the back and a small picture of David Cassidy and Shirley Jones. The album cover is made to look like an...
, reached Number 4 in the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
. It was also awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in December 1970, having sold over one million copies. A string of hit Partridge singles followed: "Doesn't Somebody Want to Be Wanted
Doesn't Somebody Want to Be Wanted
"Doesn't Somebody Want to Be Wanted" is a song written by Mike Appel, Jim Cretecos, and Wes Farrell and was recorded by The Partridge Family for their 1971 album, Up to Date. The song went to #6 on The Billboard Hot 100 in 1971 and was on the charts for 12 weeks.The song went to #1 in Canada. The...
", "I'll Meet You Halfway
I'll Meet You Halfway
"I'll Meet You Halfway" is a song written by Wes Farrell and Gerry Goffin and was recorded by The Partridge Family for their 1971 album, Up to Date. The song went to #4 on the Adult Contemporary chart and reached #9 on The Billboard Hot 100 in 1971....
", "I Woke Up In Love This Morning
I Woke Up In Love This Morning
"I Woke Up In Love This Morning" is a song written by L. Russell Brown and Irwin Levine and was recorded by The Partridge Family for their 1971 album, Sound Magazine...
", "It's One of Those Nights (Yes Love)
It's One of Those Nights (Yes Love)
"It's One of Those Nights " is a song written by Tony Romeo and was recorded by The Partridge Family for their 1972 album, Shopping Bag...
", "Am I Losing You", "Looking Through The Eyes Of Love", "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do", and "A Friend And A Lover." These singles were showcased on million selling albums including "Up To Date", "Sound Magazine", "Shopping Bag", "Notebook", "Crossword Puzzle", and "Bulletin Board." The Partridge Family's "Christmas Card" album was the #1 selling Christmas record of 1971. Record sales success was replicated internationally with The Partridge Family achieving huge hits in Canada, Great Britain, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
In the midst of his rise to fame, David Cassidy soon grew tired of the show. In the summer of 1972, he gave an interview to Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine in which he attempted to distance himself from the squeaky-clean image of Keith Partridge.
Though Danny Bonaduce was not part of the session band, he, too, got a recording contract, and circa 1972 released a self-titled album, Danny Bonaduce. Though Bonaduce was credited as lead singer on all the songs, he insists that he had a very weak voice and that Bruce Roberts
Bruce Roberts (singer)
Bruce Roberts is a singer and songwriter. In 1995 he released the album Intimacy which featured musical and vocal contributions by many notable artists...
provided most of the vocals on the album. The first track on the album, a song entitled "I'll Be Your Magician", in which the 13-year-old Bonaduce seduces a woman into having sexual intercourse with him, has developed a cult following
Cult following
A cult following is a group of fans who are highly dedicated to a specific area of pop culture. A film, book, band, or video game, among other things, will be said to have a cult following when it has a small but very passionate fan base...
for its campy
Camp (style)
Camp is an aesthetic sensibility that regards something as appealing because of its taste and ironic value. The concept is closely related to kitsch, and things with camp appeal may also be described as being "cheesy"...
entertainment value. The original, watered-down, version of the song was recorded with Cassidy for the "Sound Magazine" album, but it was discarded and never released. In fall 2010, Cassidy dared Bonaduce to learn how to play the bass guitar lines on the songs the Partridge Family performed. Bonaduce learned the bass guitar line for "Doesn't Somebody Want to Be Wanted", stating that although he had no ability to read music, the song was relatively easy to learn; Cassidy and Bonaduce have performed together on rare occasions since that time.
In all, The Partridge Family released 89 songs between 1970-1973, on 8 albums and one non-LP single.
Animation spin off
The Partridges had a brief resurgence in animated form which saw the family propelled into the future. The animated Partridges first appeared when the kids did a series of guest spots on Goober and the Ghost ChasersGoober and the Ghost Chasers
Goober and the Ghost Chasers was a Saturday morning cartoon produced by Hanna-Barbera which aired on ABC from September 8, 1973 to August 30, 1975. A total of 16 half-hour episodes of Goober and the Ghost Chasers were produced. The show's episodes were later serialized as part of the syndicated...
. That idea evolved into a CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
Saturday morning Hanna-Barbera
Hanna-Barbera
Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc. was an American animation studio that dominated North American television animation during the second half of the 20th century...
-produced cartoon in 1974, Partridge Family 2200 A.D.
Partridge Family 2200 A.D.
Partridge Family 2200 A.D. is an animated television series based on The Partridge Family created by Hanna-Barbera.-Production:This version started out as Hanna-Barbera's updated version of The Jetsons, where Elroy was now a teenager, and Judy now had a steady job as an ace reporter...
(also called The Partridge Family in Outer Space when rerun later as part of Fred Flintstone and Friends
Fred Flintstone and Friends
Fred Flintstone and Friends was a 30–minute weekday animated series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions which aired in syndication beginning September 12, 1977...
). Shirley Jones and David Cassidy did not voice their animated counterparts, and Susan Dey and Dave Madden had very limited involvement with this cartoon. During a Feb. 2, 2008 interview with Mark Simone
Mark Simone
Mark Simone is an American radio personality. Currently heard on WABC in New York, he also fills-in for ABC Radio hosts such as Don Imus, Mark Levin, and Sean Hannity.Simone occasionally appears on CNN, MSNBC and PBS....
on WABC Radio
WABC (AM)
WABC , known as "NewsTalkRadio 77 WABC" is a radio station in New York City. Owned by the broadcasting division of Cumulus Media, the station broadcasts on a clear channel and is the flagship station of Cumulus Media Networks...
's Saturday Night Oldies
Saturday Night Oldies
Saturday Night Oldies is a Saturday night music and talk show on WABC Radio in New York City.-History of the Radio Program:WABC Radio played rock and roll from 1960 until May 10, 1982, before changing to a talk radio format...
show, Jones had no recollection of any animated version of the series ever being produced.
Syndication
NickelodeonNickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
featured a run of The Partridge Family in the mid-90s as part of its Nick-At-Nite lineup. The network used interviews and commercials featuring cast members, and created a new version of the bus for promotion. The show also aired at various times on Fox Family
ABC Family
ABC Family, stylized as abc family, is an American television network, owned by ABC Family Worldwide Inc., a subsidiary of the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company...
, ION Television, and Hallmark Channel
Hallmark Channel
The Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States. Their programming includes a mix of television movies/miniseries, syndicated series, and lifestyle shows that are appropriate for the whole family...
. , it airs on Antenna TV
Antenna TV
Antenna TV is an American digital broadcast television network, primarily featuring classic television series from the 1950s to the 1990s, along with some feature films. It is owned by Tribune Broadcasting, a division of the Chicago-based Tribune Company...
.
The cast was reunited in the 90's on the Arsenio Hall Show and The Danny Bonaduce Show and were featured on The E! True Hollywood Story, Biography
Biography (TV series)
Biography is a documentary television series. It was originally a half-hour filmed series produced for CBS by David Wolper from 1961 to 1964 and hosted by Mike Wallace. The A&E Network later re-ran it and has produced new episodes since 1987...
and VH1's Behind The Music
Behind the Music
Behind the Music is a television series on VH1. It originally ran from 1997 to 2006, before it was stopped and only aired new episodes sporadically. The series places its generality on documentation of musical artists or groups who are interviewed and profiled, and discuss how their careers became...
.
When the digital subchannel Antenna TV
Antenna TV
Antenna TV is an American digital broadcast television network, primarily featuring classic television series from the 1950s to the 1990s, along with some feature films. It is owned by Tribune Broadcasting, a division of the Chicago-based Tribune Company...
premiered in January 2011, The Partridge Family became one of its offerings through the network's distribution agreement with Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television, Inc. is an American and global television production/distribution subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment. In turn, the latter is part of the Japanese conglomerate Sony.-Background:...
(parent company of series producer Screen Gems
Screen Gems
Screen Gems is an American movie production company and subsidiary company of Sony Pictures Entertainment's Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group that has served several different purposes for its parent companies over the decades since its incorporation....
).
Selected discography
- The Partridge Family AlbumThe Partridge Family AlbumThe Partridge Family Album is The Partridge Family's first album. It was released in 1970 and included their first recording, "I Think I Love You". It has a picture of the whole family on the back and a small picture of David Cassidy and Shirley Jones. The album cover is made to look like an...
(BBBillboard (magazine)Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
#4, CB #6) – Bell 6050—1970 - Up to DateUp to DateThe Partridge Family's second album, Up to Date, was released in February 1971. It contained such hits as "I'll Meet You Halfway" and "Doesn't Somebody Want to Be Wanted" ....
(BB #3, CB #3) – Bell 6059—1971 - Sound MagazineSound MagazineSound Magazine was the third album from The Partridge Family. It was released on the Bell Records label in August 1971 and, like all of the Partridge Family recordings, was produced by Wes Farrell for Coral Rock Productions...
(BB #9, CB #9) – Bell 6064—1971 - A Partridge Family Christmas Card (BB #1-Christmas Charts, CB #19) – Bell 6066—1971
- Shopping BagShopping BagShopping Bag was released in 1972 by The Partridge Family. The vinyl release of the album contained a novelty plastic shopping bag. The album went gold and is now available on CD and iTunes....
(BB #18, CB #16) – Bell 6072—1971 - At Home With Their Greatest HitsAt Home with Their Greatest HitsAt Home with Their Greatest Hits is a Partridge Family album. This album was made in 1972 and contained all previous hits. The only new song that was included in this album was "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do".-Side 1:...
(BB #21, CB #20) – Bell 1107—1972 - The Partridge Family NotebookThe Partridge Family NotebookThe Partridge Family Notebook was released in November 1972. It featured a cover that was similar to the standard school notebook. It contained a few cover versions of some classic songs such as "Walking in the Rain" written by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, and Phil Spector.The album reached #41 on the...
(BB #41, CB #33) – Bell 1111—1972 - Crossword PuzzleCrossword PuzzleFor the common puzzle, see CrosswordCrossword Puzzle was the second to last album made by The Partridge Family and was not one of the most popular albums. It was released in 1973 and did not produce a U.S. single. This album was finally released on CD in 2003 on Arista's BMG Heritage label...
(BB #167, CB #105) – Bell 1122—1973 - Bulletin BoardBulletin Board (album)Bulletin Board was the last studio album recorded by The Partridge Family and originally released by Bell Records. The album was recorded between July and September of 1973 and released in October of 1973. Bulletin Board was the first Partridge Family album to fail to chart on the Billboard 200...
(CB #124) – Bell 1137—1973 - Ricky Segall and The Segalls – Bell 1138—1973 (Featuring songs from the TV show)
- The World of the Partridge Family – Bell 1319—1974 (2-record greatest hits compilation released at the end of the series)
- Greatest Hits (1989)
- The Definitive Collection (includes David Cassidy solo material) (2001)
- Come On Get Happy!: The Very Best of The Partridge FamilyCome On Get Happy!: The Very Best of The Partridge FamilyCome On, Get Happy!: The Very Best of The Partridge Family was a greatest hits compilation from The Partridge Family, released on May 3, 2005 in conjunction with the first season DVD collection. It contained some previously unreleased songs...
(includes some previously un-released material) (2005)
Awards and nominations
| Film | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Award | Year | Category | Result | Recipient |
| Golden Globe | 1971 | Best TV Show - Musical/Comedy | ||
| Best TV Actress - Musical/Comedy | Shirley Jones Shirley Jones Shirley Mae Jones is an American singer and actress of stage, film and television. In her six decades of television, she starred as wholesome characters in a number of well-known musical films, such as Oklahoma! , Carousel , and The Music Man... |
|||
| 1972 | Best TV Show - Musical/Comedy | |||
| Best TV Actress - Musical/Comedy | Shirley Jones Shirley Jones Shirley Mae Jones is an American singer and actress of stage, film and television. In her six decades of television, she starred as wholesome characters in a number of well-known musical films, such as Oklahoma! , Carousel , and The Music Man... |
|||
| 1973 | Best Supporting Actress - Television | Susan Dey Susan Dey Susan Dey is an American actress, known primarily for her roles in film and television. Her more prominent parts came as elder daughter, Laurie Partridge, on the 1970s sitcom The Partridge Family, and as Grace Van Owen, a California assistant district attorney and judge on the dramatic series, L.A... |
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| TV Land Awards TV Land Awards The TV Land Awards is an American television awards ceremony that generally commemorates shows now off the air, rather than in current production as with awards such as the Emmys. It is presented in a manner that spoofs other entertainment award ceremonies... |
2003 | Quintessential Non-Traditional Family | Danny Bonaduce Danny Bonaduce Dante Daniel "Danny" Bonaduce is an American radio/television personality, comedian, professional wrestler, and former child actor... , David Cassidy David Cassidy David Bruce Cassidy is an American actor, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his role as the character of Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical/sitcom The Partridge Family. He was one of pop culture's most celebrated teen idols, enjoying a successful pop career in the 1970s, and... , Suzanne Crough Suzanne Crough Suzanne Crough is a former actress who is best known for her role in the hit television Sitcom The Partridge Family. The show ran from 1970 to 1974.-Career:... , Susan Dey Susan Dey Susan Dey is an American actress, known primarily for her roles in film and television. Her more prominent parts came as elder daughter, Laurie Partridge, on the 1970s sitcom The Partridge Family, and as Grace Van Owen, a California assistant district attorney and judge on the dramatic series, L.A... , Brian Forster Brian Forster Brian Forster was the second actor to play the role of Chris Partridge in the television series The Partridge Family.-Biography:... , Jeremy Gelbwaks Jeremy Gelbwaks Jeremy Gelbwaks was a child actor who starred in the television series The Partridge Family from 1970 to 1971.-Career:... , Shirley Jones Shirley Jones Shirley Mae Jones is an American singer and actress of stage, film and television. In her six decades of television, she starred as wholesome characters in a number of well-known musical films, such as Oklahoma! , Carousel , and The Music Man... |
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| Hippest Fashion Plate - Male | David Cassidy David Cassidy David Bruce Cassidy is an American actor, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his role as the character of Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical/sitcom The Partridge Family. He was one of pop culture's most celebrated teen idols, enjoying a successful pop career in the 1970s, and... |
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| 2004 | Favorite Teen Dream - Female | Susan Dey Susan Dey Susan Dey is an American actress, known primarily for her roles in film and television. Her more prominent parts came as elder daughter, Laurie Partridge, on the 1970s sitcom The Partridge Family, and as Grace Van Owen, a California assistant district attorney and judge on the dramatic series, L.A... |
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| Irreplaceable Replacement | Brian Forster Brian Forster Brian Forster was the second actor to play the role of Chris Partridge in the television series The Partridge Family.-Biography:... For replacing Jeremy Gelbwaks. |
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| 2006 | Favorite Singing Siblings | Danny Bonaduce Danny Bonaduce Dante Daniel "Danny" Bonaduce is an American radio/television personality, comedian, professional wrestler, and former child actor... , David Cassidy David Cassidy David Bruce Cassidy is an American actor, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his role as the character of Keith Partridge in the 1970s musical/sitcom The Partridge Family. He was one of pop culture's most celebrated teen idols, enjoying a successful pop career in the 1970s, and... , Suzanne Crough Suzanne Crough Suzanne Crough is a former actress who is best known for her role in the hit television Sitcom The Partridge Family. The show ran from 1970 to 1974.-Career:... , Susan Dey Susan Dey Susan Dey is an American actress, known primarily for her roles in film and television. Her more prominent parts came as elder daughter, Laurie Partridge, on the 1970s sitcom The Partridge Family, and as Grace Van Owen, a California assistant district attorney and judge on the dramatic series, L.A... , Brian Forster Brian Forster Brian Forster was the second actor to play the role of Chris Partridge in the television series The Partridge Family.-Biography:... , Jeremy Gelbwaks Jeremy Gelbwaks Jeremy Gelbwaks was a child actor who starred in the television series The Partridge Family from 1970 to 1971.-Career:... |
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| The Most Irreplaceable Replacement | Brian Forster Brian Forster Brian Forster was the second actor to play the role of Chris Partridge in the television series The Partridge Family.-Biography:... For replacing Jeremy Gelbwaks. |
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| 2007 | Most Beautiful Braces | Susan Dey Susan Dey Susan Dey is an American actress, known primarily for her roles in film and television. Her more prominent parts came as elder daughter, Laurie Partridge, on the 1970s sitcom The Partridge Family, and as Grace Van Owen, a California assistant district attorney and judge on the dramatic series, L.A... |
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DVD releases
Sony Pictures Home EntertainmentSony Pictures Home Entertainment
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the home video distribution arm of Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation. It was established in November 1979 as Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment, releasing 20 titles: The Anderson Tapes, Bell, Book and Candle, Born Free, Breakout,...
has released all 4 Seasons of The Partridge Family in DVD Region 1. Seasons 1 and 2 have been released in region 2 and 4.
| DVD Name | Ep # | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| The Complete 1st Season | 25 | May 3, 2005 |
| The Complete 2nd Season | 24 | November 8, 2005 |
| The Complete 3rd Season | 25 | October 14, 2008 |
| The Complete 4th Season | 22 | February 3, 2009 |
See also
- Come On Get Happy: The Partridge Family StoryCome On Get Happy: The Partridge Family StoryCome On, Get Happy: The Partridge Family Story is a 1999 ABC television biopic about the 1970-1974 television series The Partridge Family, focusing on superstar David Cassidy and co-star Danny Bonaduce through the four years the show was on....
- Ron Hicklin SingersRon Hicklin SingersThe Ron Hicklin Singers were a group of Los Angeles studio singers contracted and organized by Ron Hicklin. They are most famously known as the real singers behind the background vocals on The Partridge Family recordings....
- The CowsillsThe CowsillsThe Cowsills are an American singing group from Newport, Rhode Island. They specialized in harmonies and the ability to sing and play music at an early age. The band was formed in the spring of 1965 by brothers Bill, Bob, and Barry, then shortly thereafter added John...
- The Love GenerationThe Love GenerationNot To Be Confused with the Swedish Group Love GenerationThe Love Generation was an American pop rock band from the 1960s. The band was together from 1967 to 1969.-History:...
- The Brady BunchThe Brady BunchThe Brady Bunch is an American sitcom created by Sherwood Schwartz and starring Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, and Ann B. Davis. The series revolved around a large blended family...