Written by Richard Deroy
Produced by Paul Junger Witt
Directed by Peter Baldwin
Original Air Date: December 11, 1970
Shirley Partridge receives a phone call from the school principal, George
Clauson, asking if she and her family are identified with women's liberation.
There is a poster in the school saying that they will sing at a rally for POW,
Power of Women.
Shirley tries to find out which member of her family committed them to this
appearance. She learns that is is Keith -- his new girlfriend Tina Newcomb is
very involved in the movement and had taken Keith's 'maybe' for a definitive
'yes.'
Shirley has to confront angry, hostile parents who are called "Morality
Watchdogs." She tries to keep calm in the face of their threats, but she
finally blows up and says that her family will definitely appear at the rally!
Keith invites Tina to dinner so that his family can finally meet her and they
are shocked with what she has to say on the subject of women's liberation.
Keith is annoyed and when he takes her home, he refuses to walk her to her
door or even kiss her. He tells her that if she wants equality, she can have
it!
On the day of the rally, Tina tells Keith that the family has to song her
songs, not their own. She feels his lyrics are degrading to women and wants to
sensor him. This is the last straw for Keith who gets very angry and storms
off the stage. Shirley stops him and tells him that they promised they would
sing -- and they will!
The Partridges sing their song, "I Think I Love You," much to the
dismay of Tina. The "Watchdogs" at first don't like it, but then
they start to enjoy the music. The kids get into the beat and love it! When
Tina sees the crowd's reaction, her anger begins to fade.
After surviving this ordeal, the family is horrified to hear that Danny has
committed them to perform for the "Morality Watchdogs!"
Song:
"I Think I Love You," music and lyrics by Tony Romeo (on The
Partridge Family Album)
Guest Cast:
Tina Newcomb ------------------------------------------ Jane Actman
Clauson -------------------------------------------------- Leonard Stone
1st Wife -------------------------------------------------- Fran Ryan
2nd Wife ------------------------------------------------- Sari Price
1st Husband ---------------------------------------------- Dort Clark
Tube Trivia:
- Jane Actman was a regular on "The Paul Lynde Show."
- Sari Price was also Shirley Jones' stand-in.
- Released as a single in August, 1970, "I Think I Love You," was
already Number 1, and certified gold when this episode aired. It sold 350,000
copies by the end of the year, receiving a National Association of Recording
Merchandisers (NARM) award for fastest selling single of 1970! It went on to
sell over 5 million copies. "The Partridge Family Album" finished
the year at #4 on the LP charts! It remained on the charts for a whopping 68
weeks.
