Come On Get Happy: The Partridge Family Story
Encyclopedia
Come 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.
Directed by David Burton Morris, the 90-minute film premiered on Saturday November 13, 1999 at 8:00pm on ABC.
, narrated by Bonaduce himself and played on-screen by a pre-Desperate Housewives
Shawn Pyfrom. Upon landing the coveted role of Danny Partridge, young Bonaduce must contend with the jealousy of his abusive father Joseph (William Russ
); all the while, Danny is a sidelines observer of the effect that overnight stardom has on his co-worker David Cassidy
(Rodney Scott
), who despises all the idolatry and yearns for a normal life.
Rather touchingly, the film recounts the surrogate son-surrogate father relationship between Danny and actor Dave Madden
(Michael Chieffo), who was genuinely fond of his younger costars despite the kid-hating irascibility of his "Reuben Kincaid" character. The film's highlight, which would be impossible to believe if it was not corroborated by witnesses, is the scene where Cassidy impulsively "kidnaps" Danny, whereupon both boys head off on a short journey of self-discovery; less easy to swallow is the scene which contrives a feud between the "Partridge" cast and the actors on the rival series The Brady Bunch
(who are, interestingly enough, identified only by their character names and not their real names).
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...
television biopic about the 1970-1974 television series The Partridge Family
The Partridge Family
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...
, focusing on superstar 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...
and co-star Danny Bonaduce
Danny Bonaduce
Dante Daniel "Danny" Bonaduce is an American radio/television personality, comedian, professional wrestler, and former child actor...
through the four years the show was on.
Directed by David Burton Morris, the 90-minute film premiered on Saturday November 13, 1999 at 8:00pm on ABC.
Synopsis
The story is told from the viewpoint of Danny BonaduceDanny Bonaduce
Dante Daniel "Danny" Bonaduce is an American radio/television personality, comedian, professional wrestler, and former child actor...
, narrated by Bonaduce himself and played on-screen by a pre-Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives is an American television comedy-drama series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC Studios and Cherry Productions. Executive producer Cherry serves as Showrunner. Other executive producers since the fourth season include Marc Cherry, Bob Daily, George W...
Shawn Pyfrom. Upon landing the coveted role of Danny Partridge, young Bonaduce must contend with the jealousy of his abusive father Joseph (William Russ
William Russ
William Russ is an American actor, best known for his role as Alan Matthews on Boy Meets World.-Early life:Russ was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, and is the son of a naval officer...
); all the while, Danny is a sidelines observer of the effect that overnight stardom has on his co-worker 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...
(Rodney Scott
Rodney Scott
Rodney Scott is an actor best known for playing David Cassidy/Keith Partridge in the 1999 television movie Come On, Get Happy: The Partridge Family Story, and William 'Will' Krudski, one of the leading characters in the TV series Young Americans, a role that originated as a recurring character on...
), who despises all the idolatry and yearns for a normal life.
Rather touchingly, the film recounts the surrogate son-surrogate father relationship between Danny and actor 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,...
(Michael Chieffo), who was genuinely fond of his younger costars despite the kid-hating irascibility of his "Reuben Kincaid" character. The film's highlight, which would be impossible to believe if it was not corroborated by witnesses, is the scene where Cassidy impulsively "kidnaps" Danny, whereupon both boys head off on a short journey of self-discovery; less easy to swallow is the scene which contrives a feud between the "Partridge" cast and the actors on the rival series The Brady Bunch
The Brady Bunch
The 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...
(who are, interestingly enough, identified only by their character names and not their real names).
Cast
- Shawn PyfromShawn PyfromShawn Caminiti Pyfrom is an American actor who has appeared in several television series and movies, and is best known for his portrayal of Andrew Van de Kamp on ABC's Desperate Housewives-Life and career:...
as Danny BonaduceDanny BonaduceDante Daniel "Danny" Bonaduce is an American radio/television personality, comedian, professional wrestler, and former child actor... - Rodney ScottRodney ScottRodney Scott is an actor best known for playing David Cassidy/Keith Partridge in the 1999 television movie Come On, Get Happy: The Partridge Family Story, and William 'Will' Krudski, one of the leading characters in the TV series Young Americans, a role that originated as a recurring character on...
as 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... - Eve Gordon as 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...
- Kathy Wagner as 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...
- Michael Chieffo as 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,...
- William RussWilliam RussWilliam Russ is an American actor, best known for his role as Alan Matthews on Boy Meets World.-Early life:Russ was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, and is the son of a naval officer...
as Joseph Bonaduce - Roxanne HartRoxanne HartRoxanne Hart is an American television, film and stage actress. She may be best known for her role as Brenda Wyatt in the 1986 film Highlander. She is also known for the role of Nurse Camille Shutt on the Medical drama Chicago Hope....
as Betty Bonaduce - Richard FancyRichard FancyRichard Fancy is an American actor known for his long recurring role on Seinfeld as publisher Mr. Lippman, Elaine Benes' one-time boss. He appeared on the third and fourth seasons of It's Garry Shandling's Show as network boss Mr. Stravely. He also plays the Priest in the 1991 Film What About...
as Harold - Willie GarsonWillie GarsonWillie Garson is an American character actor. He has appeared in over 50 movies, usually playing minor roles...
as Sam - Mark HarelikMark HarelikMark Harelik is an American television, film, and stage actor, as well as a playwright.-Career:Harelik has appeared in the films Election, Jurassic Park III and For Your Consideration; He was the voice of Rogers in The Swan Princess, and he has played parts on the television sitcoms Seinfeld,...
as Alex - Danny BonaduceDanny BonaduceDante Daniel "Danny" Bonaduce is an American radio/television personality, comedian, professional wrestler, and former child actor...
as Narrator - Tara Blanchard as 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:...
- J.B. GaynorJ.B. GaynorJohn Bernard "J.B." Gaynor is American teen actor. He is perhaps best known for playing Young Eddie in Grounded for Life. Gaynor was born in Harbor City, California, to John and Mary Gaynor. J.B. decided to pursue an acting career growing up watching his sister, Jennifer. Jim Carrey and John...
as Jeremy GelbwaksJeremy GelbwaksJeremy Gelbwaks was a child actor who starred in the television series The Partridge Family from 1970 to 1971.-Career:... - Scotty LeavenworthScotty LeavenworthScott Alexander "Scotty" Leavenworth is an American actor. He began acting in commercials at the age of four, and has since appeared in a variety of films and television programs...
as Brian ForsterBrian ForsterBrian Forster was the second actor to play the role of Chris Partridge in the television series The Partridge Family.-Biography:... - Shane Newell as Kid with bike