The following feature-length films were originally scored as TV movies.  Some were pilots for series; others went on to be released in cinemas abroad. For more about his approach to writing music for television, see “The Art and Craft of Film Composer Dave Grusin” in the FILMS SECTION. The Intruders Stars:  Don Murray, Anne Francis, Edmund O'Brien, John Saxon, Harrison Ford Director:  William Graham First Broadcast:  1970 Story:  The James and Younger outlaw gangs ride into town, and it is up to the local marshal, who has lost both his nerve and his gun skills, to stop them The Badge and The Cross also known as  "Sarge" Stars:  Diane Baker, Dana Elcar, David Huddleston, GeorgeKennedy, Nico Minardos, Ricardo Montalban Director:  Richard A. Colla First Broadcast:  1970 Story:  A tough police sergeant quits the force when his wife is killed. He becomes a priest, and is assigned to a parish in his old precinct. "Sarge", as the priest is known to his friends, offers his investigative talents to the local constabulary, and solves a tricky homicide cas The Family Rico Stars:  Jack Carter, Dane Clark, Leif Erickson, James Farentino, Ben Gazzara, Sal Mineo Director:  Paul Wendkos First Broadcast:  1972 Story:  a powerful mobster is put in an embarrassing position when his younger brother refuses to carry out a contract killing.  The older brother is then ordered to kill his own brother. Eventually he ascertains the identity of the original "hit" and realizes that his brother was acting more out of loyalty than cowardice  Eric Stars:  : Patricia Neal, John Savage, Claude Akins, Sian Barbara Allen, Tom Clancy, Mark Hamill, Nehemiah Persoff Director:  James Goldstone First Broadcast:  1975 Story:  The promising life of a talented teenage athlete is suddenly destroyed when he is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Despite the bad news, the boy does all he can to fight the disease. His devoted mother supports him to the bitter, inevitable end. The Oath Stars:   First Broadcast:  1976 Roots, Part II First Broadcast:  1979 This is America, Charlie Brown animated mini-series episode: "The Smithsonian and the Presidency" First Broadcast:  April 19, 1989 Story:  Charlie Brown and friends visit the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, and discuss three famous presidents. First, Charlie Brown and Linus are newspaper boys who meet Lincoln on the eve of his trip to give the Gettysburg Address, dramatizing the speech. Next, they talk about Theodore Roosevelt and the conservation movement, especially the protection of Yosemite Valley. The final topic is Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Depression, and the New Deal, including footage of bread lines and FDR's inaugural speech. Return to top