"Don't Bring Your Guns to Town, Santa" was the only Christmas episode during the show's four seasons, coinciding with the release of fourth LP Christmas CARD, issued Nov 1971, failing to chart; on Billboard's seasonal charts, it was #1, Shirley Jones contributing her only solo vocal on "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)." We begin with a charming but all too brief rendition of the 1934 standard "Winter Wonderland," composed by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith, sung as a duet between Shirley Jones and David Cassidy (the only time they shared lead vocals). It all ends with Judy Garland's 1944 standard, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," composed by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, sung a cappella (both can be heard on the album). In between, we get Shirley and David's favorite episode, as the group find themselves stranded on Christmas Eve in a deserted ghost town whose sole resident is lonely old prospector Charlie (Dean Jagger), who entertains the children with the story of the town's silver bell, and how it helped to guide Santa Claus to their community every year, until 'Mean Sidney' (Reuben) wanted to stop Christmas by stealing it. Their only hope is reformed card sharp 'Little the Kid' (Danny), who knew Sid when he was "just nasty." His four aces best Sid's full house, but as the guitar strumming sheriff (Keith) notes, "nothing beats a loaded pistol!" With his hilarious asides and hidden 'lolly,' David Cassidy thoroughly enjoyed his scene stealing antics, while Shirley Jones expressed great delight at playing 'dress-up,' and working alongside longtime Hollywood veteran Dean Jagger (from the 1954 "White Christmas"), producing the perfect Yuletide combination of warmth and laughs. Anyone familiar with Davy Jones' appearance on THE BRADY BUNCH the very same month (one week earlier!) will recognize Britt Leach, who played Davy's manager.
The Partridge Family (TV Series)
Don't Bring Your Guns to Town, Santa (1971)
User Reviews
Review this title3 Reviews
"What's a bell, Belle?"
cormac_zoso25 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
One of the all-time great 'holiday' theme shows from an American sitcom -- surprisingly so since most of the other episodes were mediocre (if i'm not mistaken there were two other episodes, at least one, with Rob Reiner as a motorcycle gang member named Snake who has a crush on Laurie that were also very funny) ... but the general premise of the show was pretty weak ... but this episode is a real winner ... Keith coming in with lame singing lines is great ...
not quite up there with WKRP's Thanksgiving episode but close .. i'd rank this xmas episode at 9.5 and WKRP at z perfect 10 but you can rate them only with whole numbers as IMDBers know :)
not quite up there with WKRP's Thanksgiving episode but close .. i'd rank this xmas episode at 9.5 and WKRP at z perfect 10 but you can rate them only with whole numbers as IMDBers know :)
Classic TV Xmas Countdown Episode #49
kgraovac20 December 2023
When their bus breaks down while passing by an old ghost town, the Partridges are given refuge by a kindly "man and his mule" where he tells them the story of the town's Xmas bell. The family are depicted as characters in the tale, set one hundred years earlier.
The episode opens with a nice performance of "Winter Wonderland" that has that groovy early '70s Mellow Rock - as it was called then - vibe to it. Too bad they only sing one chorus. The whole song would have been nicer.
This episode is well-produced and the costumes look great. It's too bad the flashback sequence is too silly for its own good. Keith is the singing sheriff, who carries a guitar instead of a gun, Shirley is the proprietress of the local saloon, Laurie is the schoolmarm, Danny is the good cowboy named Little the Kid and Reuben is the outlaw in black named Mean Sidney who learns a lesson at the end.
The best part is the finale, after the Partridges bid farewell to the man (Charlie) he is seen alone in his sparse and simple cabin until he hears them return to sing an acoustic version of "Have Your Self a Merry Little Xmas". There is no dialog but his emotional reaction is very moving and makes the whole episode better than it would have been otherwise.
Lame comedy but great sentimentality. 6/10.
The episode opens with a nice performance of "Winter Wonderland" that has that groovy early '70s Mellow Rock - as it was called then - vibe to it. Too bad they only sing one chorus. The whole song would have been nicer.
This episode is well-produced and the costumes look great. It's too bad the flashback sequence is too silly for its own good. Keith is the singing sheriff, who carries a guitar instead of a gun, Shirley is the proprietress of the local saloon, Laurie is the schoolmarm, Danny is the good cowboy named Little the Kid and Reuben is the outlaw in black named Mean Sidney who learns a lesson at the end.
The best part is the finale, after the Partridges bid farewell to the man (Charlie) he is seen alone in his sparse and simple cabin until he hears them return to sing an acoustic version of "Have Your Self a Merry Little Xmas". There is no dialog but his emotional reaction is very moving and makes the whole episode better than it would have been otherwise.
Lame comedy but great sentimentality. 6/10.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
