The Partridge Family: The Complete First Season

Come on, get happy! Oh, the immense power of that horribly catchy theme song is just a small part of the paranormal cunning of this singing family--Mom (Shirley Jones) and kids (David Cassidy, Susan Dey, Danny Bonaduce, Suzanne Crough, and Jeremy Gelbwaks). Watching these 25 episodes from the show's 1970-71 debut season, one realizes that The Partridge Family predicted much of the pop culture to follow. Sure, the wacky but wholesome antics of this musical gang started out as just another show trying to catch a ride on The Brady Bunch gravy train, but what cosmic burb can explain such phenomena as the following: one episode accurately divines the rise of Mark Hamill in the role of an annoying teenager; two future Charlie's Angels appear in bit parts that anticipate their positions as crime fighters (Farrah Fawcett is "the dumb blonde," while Jaclyn Smith is "the smart brunette"); the business-minded 10-year-old Danny (Bonaduce) eerily foresees the rise of Alex P. Keaton a decade hence; and velvet suits and ruffled collars prophesied the coming of Prince. But perhaps creepiest of all, the sign painted on the back of the Patridges' Mondrian-esque bus--"CAREFUL NERVOUS MOTHER DRIVING"--augurs the coming of the insidious "Baby on Board" window signs. It all seemed so innocent at the time, but if we'd been paying attention, we might have prevented tragedies such as Lollapalooza. Sporting a nice-looking transfer, DVD extras include a "jump to the musical performances" option, a pair of audio commentaries by Jones and Bonaduce, two featurettes, and a couple of episodes from the animated The Partridge Family: 2200 A.D. Optional. (M. Johanson)