Griffith traveled far from Mayberry for other roles
By MIRIAM DiNUNZIO mdinunzio@suntimes.com
“No Time for Sergeants”
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When he wasn’t playing the Mayberry sheriff Andy Griffith was quite versatile in other TV and film roles. Here are a few:
1. “A Face in the Crowd” (1957): Griffith is spot-on as the mesmerizing drifter Larry “Lonesome” Rhodes in Elia Kazan’s look at one man’s quick rise and fall amid politics and powerful spin doctors.
2. “No Time for Sergeants” (1958): Griffith stars as bumbling Air Force Pvt. Will Stockdale in this hilarious look at a down-home country boy’s stint in the military.
3. “Destry Rides Again” (1959): Griffith starred opposite Dolores Grey in this Broadway musical (based on the Marlene Dietrich-James Stewart film) about a gentlemanly do-gooder (who never wears a gun) who arrives at the Last Chance Saloon and is tapped to bring law and order to the town of Bottleneck.
4. “I’m a Family Crook — Don’t Shoot Me” (“Hawaii Five-0” episode, 1972): In this lightly comedic episode, Griffith stars as the patriarch of a family of grifters who rip off a mobster who now wants them dead. Will McGarrett and Danno find them first? Me TV airs the episode at noon Wednesday.
5. “Gramps” (1995, made-for-TV movie): Griffith stars as a seemingly nice old grandpa who reconnects with his long-lost son (John Ritter) only to reveal his violent sociopathic side soon thereafter.
