Bernard Slade Movies

Phoebe (Mary Steenburgen) and Jason (Dudley Moore) are a pair of Broadway playwrights who are partners in their chosen profession, but in spite of a definite inclination, they remain unpartnered (for a long time) in any other way. Phoebe is an aspiring playwright from the Northwoods and Jason is just getting married when the two meet for the first time and decide to collaborate. As their relationship produces first a failure and then a string of successes, their repartée remains sharp and witty -- and their unrequited interest in each other gathers energy over a nine-year period, until some resolution is finally in sight. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Based on Bernard Slade's Broadway play of the same name, this film is about George, a married New Jersey accountant (Alan Alda), and Doris, a housewife (Ellen Burstyn). The two accidentally meet in a Californian country inn in 1951. They have an affair, which they continue for the next 25 years, meeting only once a year for a weekend getaway at the same hotel. Through their long-running love affair, the audience witnesses the changes within America and its lifestyles over the course of a quarter of a century. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Returning from a road trip, the Partridges find that their garage is being occupied by aspiring songwriter Bobby Conway (Bobby Sherman). Impressed by Bobby's talents, the family try to help him find a lyricist, a search that leads them to Denver, thence to the domicile of a highly eccentric young man named Lionel Poindexter (Wes Stern). Fortunately, Bobby and Lionel turn out to be made for each other, and the result is a toe-tappin' number called "Stephanie". This final episode of The Partridge Family's first season was designed as the pilot for Getting Together, a short-lived sitcom starring Bobby Sherman and Wes Stern. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The Partridges agonizingly endure an unwanted six-month layoff--and it's all because of some silly misunderstandings. Shirley thinks that the kids are being robbed of their childhood, and decides that they need some time off. At the same time, the kids are convinced that Shirley wants to give up show biz because she's fallen in love with handsome doctor Jim Lucas (played by a pre-Soap Richard Mulligan). Song: "I'm Here, You're Here". ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The Partridges have a pungent problem on their hands when their psychedelic school bus is invaded by a skunk. As Shirley (Shirley Jones) and the kids try to figure out a way to dissipate the horrible aroma, manager Reuben (Dave Madden), unaware of the situation, books the family for a benefit show at a children's hospital. Maybe a good dose of tomato juice will alleviate the odor--and then, maybe not! Songs: &I Think I Love You" and "A Brand New Me". ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Loosely inspired by the career of the real-life family singing group the Cowsills, the ABC sitcom The Partridge Family starred Shirley Jones as Shirley Partridge, widowed mother of five musically inclined children. Almost by accident, Shirley began singing with her kids during an impromptu garage jam session, and thus was born the Partridge Family, a popular singing aggregation who traveled from one engagement to another in the family's battered, psychedelically decorated bus -- all the while trying to lead a "normal" life. The group's agent was Reuben Kinkaid (Dave Madden), who professed to hate kids but who admitted to loving money. As for the kids themselves, they included oldest son Keith Partridge, played by Shirley Jones' stepson David Cassidy, who attained teen-idol status by virtue of this series; oldest daughter Laurie, played by Susan Dey, who grew up to star on such drama series as L.A. Law and Love & War; middle son Danny Partridge, the group's self-appointed business manager, played by future radio talk host Danny Bonaduce; youngest son Chris, played by Jeremy Gelbwaks during season one and thereafter by Brian Foster; and youngest daughter Tracy, portrayed by Suzanne Crough. During the series' fourth and final season, Ricky Segall was seen as Ricky Stevens, a four-year-old neighbor kid who occasionally performed with the Partridges. Also added to the cast that season was Alan Bursky as Reuben Kinkaid's nephew Alan Kinkaid, a shy, neurotic youngster who at the Partridges' urging emerged from his shell to pursue a career as a comedian. The series' theme song went under the title "When We're Singin'" during season one; the following year, the lyrics were rewritten and the song was retitled "Come On, Get Happy." Originally networkcast from September 25, 1970, to August 31, 1974, The Partridge Family also yielded a Saturday-morning cartoon spin-off, 1974's Partridge Family, 2200 AD, and that same year, several of the series' kid actors supplied the voices of their Partridge characters for another animated series, Goober and the Ghost Chasers. Additionally, in 1999, the world was honored with a TV-movie "biography" of the series, Come On, Get Happy: The Partridge Family Story. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Ray Bolger and Rosemary DeCamp make their first series appearances as Shirley Partridge's septuagenarian parents Fred and Amanda Renfrew. The Partridge kids are aghast when their mandolin-playing Grandpa decks himself out in the latest "mod" clothes and insists upon singing rock-and-roll tunes in the family act. It takes the combined efforts of Shirley (Shirley Jones), Grandma and the kids to convince Grandpa that he's better off sticking to the the songs of his own youth (and besides, Grandma isn't about to don a miniskirt just to make her husband happy!) Songs: "Baby I Love You", "I'm on the Road" and "Bye Bye Blackbird". ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

This by-the-numbers TV movie features an all-star cast in a comedy of marital mix-ups and misunderstandings. Consultants Michael Callan and Ann Prentiss arrange the marriages of several couples, only to discover that all the unions are illegal. Among those affected are a cop (Christopher Connelly) and his hippie spouse (Heather Young); A bachelor at heart (Bill Daily) who thinks he'd be happier without his wife (Elinor Donahue); and a dull missus (Ruth Buzzi) and her "swinger" hubby (Herb Edelman). Whether or not the now-unmarried couples will want to tie the knot legally forms the basis of the comedy. In Name Only has innocently caused resentment among film buffs who've tuned in expecting to see the 1939 film In Name Only, a quite different dramatic opus starring Cary Grant and Carole Lombard. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

J. Pat O'Malley plays Captain Barnaby, a self-styled "ancient mariner" who boldly embarks upon a 1000-mile sea voyage. There's only one slight problem: The Captain has never been on the ocean in his life! Sr. Bertrille tags along to make certain that Barnaby's secret remains a secret-and to insure his safe return. Written by Bernard Slade, "The Sister and the Old Salt" was first networkcast on February 8, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Returning to his US Marine reserve unit, casino owner Carlos Ramirez faces a court-martial for an unintentional series of infractions. Determined to rescue her old friend, Sr. Bertrille takes to the air. Her flight is spotted by Marine Captain Dolger (John Dehner), who, convinced that our heroine is a UFO, goes completely off the deep end. Written by Searle Kramer, a veteran of the old @Columbia comedy short-subject unit, "The Puce Albert" was first broadcast on March 21, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

This one-hour pilot episode for the popular ABC sitcom The Flying Nun introduces viewers to Sister Bertrille (Sally Field), formerly Elsie Ethrington, the newest arrival at Convent San Tanco in San Juan, Puerto Rico. One morning, a gust of wind blows the 90-pound nun into the air, where she stays aloft thanks to her large coronet. Unfortunately, once she's taken flight, Sr. Bertrille has little control over where she goes, and therein lies the comic dilemma that will dominate the next 80 episodes. On this occasion, however, Sr. Bertrille uses her aviation skills to convince local casino owner Carlos Ramirez (Alejandro Rey) to donate some of his property to the convent, and in the bargain, she helps Carlos collect a gambling debt. Originally telecast on September 7, 1967, the inaugural episode of The Flying Nun was written by Bernard Slade; it was later divided into two half-hour episodes for off-network syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

After promising to keep her flying abilities under wraps, Sr. Bertrille is inadvertently whisked aloft by a sudden gust of wind. Her ascent is witnessed by Charlie Webster (Brian Nash), a little boy with a history of telling big lies. How can Sr. Bertrille keep Charlie from getting into trouble while staying out of trouble herself? Featured in the cast of this episode are Dick Wilson (aka Mr. Whipple of Charmin Bathroom Tissue fame) and "lovable lush" Foster Brooks. Originally telecast on November 23, 1967, "A Young Man With a Coronet" was written by Bernard Slade. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the conclusion of a two-part story, Samantha is forced to cater to the expensive whims of sleazy private detective Charlie Leach (Robert Strauss), who threatens to tell the world that Sam is a witch if she doesn't accommodate him. Upon finding out what's going on, Darrin gives Sam permission to use witchcraft to teach Charlie a lesson -- and what a lesson! Written by Bernard Slade, part two of "Follow That Witch" originally aired on April 21, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi