January 26, 1973: Partridge Family episode premiered on ABC TV

A year before The Brady Bunch, another TV family visited Kings Island with The Partridge Family filming episode No. 66 of the popular 1970’s prime-time ABC show at the park.

The episode titled “I Left My Heart in Cincinnati” was filmed over a five-day period from Aug. 7-11, 1972, and premiered on this day 50 years ago in 1973.

The show’s cast -- Shirley Jones, David Cassidy, Susan Dey, Danny Bonaduce, Suzanne Crough and Brian Forster – were shown during the episode enjoying many of the park’s rides when they weren’t performing on International Street. While a number of the rides that were featured are long gone (but not forgotten) like Halley’s Comet, Der Spinnen’ Keggers and the Wheel of Fortune, others are still in operation today at the 364-acre amusement and water park including The Racer, Grand Carousel, Monster and Race for Your Life Charlie Brown, then known as the Kings Mills Log Flume.

The episode title refers to Keith (Cassidy), his younger brother Danny (Bonaduce) and their manager Rueben Kincaid (Dave Madden) all trying to date Mary Ann Mobley, cast as Kings Island’s publicist. “Girl You Make My Day” and “Together We’re Better” were the featured songs.

Guest cast also included National Baseball Hall of Fame member and former Cincinnati Reds great Johnny Bench as a poolside hotel waiter.

Bonaduce stated of the 96 episodes of the four-year series, the Kings Island episode was his favorite. You can tell nobody was having more fun than him when you watch the episode.

The Kings Island Partridge Family episode is still shown in syndication and available on DVD. The episode represents the most significant visual record from the park’s first season. It’s a must-watch for all Kings Island fans.

Photo: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment