Ceil Cabot

When Shirley Partridge goes into her garage to find out what all the noise is about, she discovers her children: Keith, Danny, Chris, Tracy and Laurie warming up for a song which they have collectively written. In need of a soprano to round out the harmony, the young Partridges volunteer their mom, and to the whole family's surprise, the song sounds alright. As a matter of fact, it sounds terrific. On his own initiative, Danny Partridge tape records their terrific tune and seeks out a business manager's ear. After tailing big-time manager (Reuben Kinkaid) all day, he finally gets him to listen to the tape. Reuben is reluctant to promise too much, but he promises the Partridges he'll give their song a fair "hearing." Within weeks, the garage-inspired song becomes an instant hit, and overnight the Partridges are in demand throughout the country. Shirley Partridge is uncertain how to adjust to their sudden success. A recent widow, she could certainly use the money. She decides that she's going to take her family on the publicity tour. She repaints an old school bus (which she almost knows how to drive), and thus, the Partridge Family begins to ride the road to success. Their first stop, Caeser's Palace in Las Vegas. After an introduction by Johnny Cash, Shirley is somewhat shocked to find all five kids suffering from a bad case of stage fright. She coaxes her children out of their silent trance by having them pretend to be back home in the garage. They finally begin to play and eventually earn a standing ovation. They've come a long way from their garage.

Andy opens a coin laundry to save money for Opie's college education.

During a performance by the Partridge Family one night, Danny's foot gets caught in the cord of the microphone and he knocks a few things over trying to free himself. The audience loves it, but Danny is mortified and locks himself in the men's room. Shirley and Reben Kincaid try every ploy to get Danny to come out, but he is so embarrassed that he refuses. Finally they tell him that he is a natural comedian and that they wil write an act especially for him. Danny emerges. Much to the dismay of Shirley and the other kids, Danny takes the comedy bit seriously and goes to see a gag writer named Ziggy Schnurr. Ziggy gives the boy a number of old bad jokes and after the next evenings performance, Danny tries them out on the audience. They laugh, but they are really laughing at a 10-year old kid telling bad jokes, and the family doesn't know how to break it to Danny. When Shirley can't make Danny understand that he just isn't a comedian, she and Reuben decide to take him to the L.A. office of Max Pepper, the owner of the Hawaiian hotel where they will appear. Pepper, a jaded, successful impressario, tells Danny the hard facts. Danny finally realizes that his mother was just trying to spare his feelings and he tells her he wants to sue Ziggy Shnurr for giving him bad jokes. Danny and Shirley go to Ziggy's office to get back Danny's money and Ziggy tries to sell them a ventriloquist act.

Ann's father slips at Donald's magazine and hurts himself. Donald has to get him to sign an insurance waiver.

Sr. Bertrille asks Sr. Olaf, an aged nun, what she wants for Christmas. Sr. Olaf, a native of Norway, replies "A White Christmas." Sr. Jacqueline and Sr. Sixto are stunned when Sr. Bertrille asks their help to make it snow for Sr. Olaf. At the Weather Bureau, Sr. Bertrille learns of experiments in seeding clouds with pellets of dry ice. The three nuns fill wheelbarrows full of dry ice at Carlos Ramirez' discotheque. Sr. Bertrille takes to the air to seed the clouds and soon snow is falling on the convent. When trade winds carry her over San Juan, snow starts to fall and the tourists head for home. Mother Superior remarks it won't be a very Merry Christmas in San Juan. Carlos learns that Sr. Bertrille is responsible and scolds her. She suggests that Carlos collect money from his friends for the little people. Carlos collects $5000 and Sr. Bertrille goes aloft to drop bills instead of snow. The tourists decide to stay and wire everyone to come to San Juan. Knowing the businessmen will never believe the true story, Carlos goes broke in paying them off. When Sr. Olaf, who hasn't been downstairs in months, comes to the Christmas party, Sr. Bertrille thanks her for the nicest Christmas she ever had.