The Partridge Family Episode #32

Welcome to my review of The Partridge Family Episode #32! Did you know you can find tons of groovy Partridge items in my eBay store? You should go check that out as soon as you’re done reading this blog. ? Anyway, this episode is called Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Partridge and originally aired on October 29, 1971. It’s about when Keith tries to be a man and take charge of his family. He tries to be a leader and set a good example for his younger siblings.

This episode opens with Keith and Danny walking to school while insulting each other the entire way. Some creepy dude is observing and asks Keith to step into his office. It turns out to be the coach of the school. He basically tells Keith to quit being a loser. He knows Keith’s mom is a widow and since Keith is the oldest male, the coach thinks he needs to set a better example for the kids. It’s kind of weird and really none of this guys business, but I like it. I would probably do the same thing.

The next scene is with Shirley and Reuben in the kitchen. Reuben is upset because Shirley won’t take publicity photos on Saturday because she’s taking Danny, Chris, and Tracy to the beach. Keith walks in and offers to take the kids on Saturday. He had a date but says the kids are more important. (We learn in this scene that Keith’s middle name is Douglas.)

Keith’s Day of Fun

Instead of the beach, Keith takes the kids to a classical concert in the park. The kids are all in ugly dress-up clothes and look miserable. After the boring concert, Keith drives the kids in the bus while giving them a history lesson. Can’t he take a more gas efficient vehicle? His next stop with the kids is in a funky nouveau art museum. The kids did not have fun on their day with big brother Keith.

In the next scene, the kids are hiding from Keith. Laurie’s nerdy date Freddie comes to the door. Shirley is cool with him but then Keith has to pretend like he’s Laurie’s dad. He wants to know where they’re going, what time he’ll have her home, etc. He’s really trying hard to be the man of the family. He sucks, but I think it’s sweet. FYI, the actor playing Freddie played different boyfriends in other Partridge Family episodes.

Danny gathers all the kids (except for Keith) in the garage so they can create a plan to get rid of annoying Daddy Brother. The plan begins with Chris and Tracy walking up to Keith and talking about what they want to be when they grow up. Keith says they can be anything they want and then asks Chris what it is he wants to be. Speaking for himself and Tracy, Chris replies, “Negroes”. The next scene is Laurie on a pay phone in the park. She hangs up and starts crying just as Keith approaches. She lays it on thick and Keith is super sweet to her. She’s just messing with him. The next scene is Danny asking Keith the facts of life. The scene ends with Danny having one more question, “Why do people go through all that trouble when they don’t even want to have babies?”

The Bashing of Keith

Keith overhears the kids making fun of him. Shirley and Keith stand there and listen to the other four trashing him. I felt horrible for Keith. He runs out and is gone for hours. He’s so hurt. Shirley lays into the others and tells them Keith did all of what he did because he loves them. She continues and says they returned that love by making a fool out of him. You go, girl.

They find Keith in the garage. Laurie approaches first and says she’s sorry. Tracy gives him a painting of a goldfish. Chris says the classical music in the park really did rub off on him. He’s going to learn how to play Beethoven’s Fifth on the drums. Danny is very sweet in his apology – before throwing Laurie under the bus by saying it was all her idea.

Summer Days

Segue into the family in concert. They sing Summer Days from their Sound Magazine album. Brian Forster is really a much better drummer than Jeremy Gelbwaks, but I just loved my Jeremy. Keith does a scene with each family member while performing the song. FYI, Summer Days was originally going to be a solo single for David Cassidy.

The tag is of Reuben walking in all excited because he got tickets to the Bolshoi ballet (Keith had requested them earlier in the episode). Keith turns him down because he’s taking the kids to the circus instead. Shirley and Laurie agree to go with him as his date. Reuben and Danny have a few jabs as they’re walking out the door.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my review of The Partridge Family Episode #32! Please come back again soon!