Editing Andy Griffith (section)

===Films (including television films)===
[[File:A Face in the Crowd publicity photo (Patricia Neal & Andy Griffith).jpg|thumb|right|[[Patricia Neal]] and Griffith in ''[[A Face in the Crowd (film)|A Face in the Crowd]]'' (1957)]]
[[File:N 91 41 Andy Griffith 1984 (7495691570).jpg|thumb|right|Andy Griffith in 1984]]
For most of the 1970s, Griffith starred or appeared in many television films, including ''[[The Strangers in 7A]]'' (1972), ''[[Go Ask Alice]]'' (1973), ''[[Winter Kill]]'' (1974) and ''[[Pray for the Wildcats]]'' (1974), which marked his first villainous role since ''A Face in the Crowd''. Griffith appeared again as a villain in ''[[Savages (1974 film)|Savages]]'' (1974), a television film based on the novel ''[[Deathwatch (book)|Deathwatch]]'' (1972) by [[Robb White]]. He appeared as The Father in a 1976 PBS television adaptation, directed by [[Stacy Keach]], of [[Luigi Pirandello]]'s ''[[Six Characters in Search of an Author]]''. Griffith received his only [[Primetime Emmy Award]] nomination as [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor – Miniseries or a Movie|Outstanding Supporting Actor – Miniseries or a Movie]] for his role as the father of a murder victim in the television film ''[[Murder in Texas (film)|Murder in Texas]]'' (1981) and won further acclaim for his role as a [[homicide|homicidal]] [[villain]] in the television film ''[[Murder in Coweta County]]'' (1983), co-starring music legend [[Johnny Cash]] as the sheriff. He also appeared in several [[miniseries|television miniseries]], including the television version of ''[[From Here to Eternity (TV series)|From Here to Eternity]]'' (1979), ''[[Roots: The Next Generations]]'' (1979), ''[[Centennial (miniseries)|Centennial]]'' (1978), and the [[Watergate scandal]]-inspired ''[[Washington: Behind Closed Doors]]'' (1977), playing a former president loosely based on [[Lyndon B. Johnson]].

Most of the television movies in which Griffith starred were also attempts to launch a new series. ''[[Winter Kill]]'' (1974) launched the short-lived ''[[Adams of Eagle Lake]]'', which was canceled in 1975 after only two episodes. A year later, he starred as a New York City attorney for the DA's office in ''Street Killing'', which also failed to launch a new show. Two television films for NBC in 1977, ''The Girl in the Empty Grave'' and ''Deadly Game'', were attempts for Griffith to launch a new series featuring him as Police Chief Abel Marsh, a more hard-edged version of Andy Taylor; despite strong ratings, both were unsuccessful in leading to a new TV show.

During this period, Griffith also appeared in two feature films, both of which flopped at the box office. He co-starred with [[Jeff Bridges]] as a crusty old 1930s western actor in the comedy ''[[Hearts of the West (1975 film)|Hearts of the West]]'' (1975), and he appeared alongside [[Tom Berenger]] as a gay villainous [[colonel]] and cattle baron in the Western comedy spoof ''[[Rustlers' Rhapsody]]'' (1985).

Following another short-lived return to series television, playing a family patriarch in the ''Dynasty''-inspired ''The Yeagers'' in 1980, Griffith continued to make guest appearances in several hit series, including ''[[Hotel (American TV series)|Hotel]]'', ''[[Fantasy Island]]'', where he played a fictional version of western figure [[Judge Roy Bean]] featured in an aspiring singer's fantasy, and an episode of ''[[The Love Boat]]'', which featured a memorable appearance by pop icon [[Andy Warhol]]. He also appeared as an attorney in the NBC miniseries ''[[Fatal Vision (miniseries)|Fatal Vision]]'' (1984), which is considered a precursor to his role in ''Matlock''.

Griffith stunned many unfamiliar with his ''A Face in the Crowd'' work in the television film ''Crime of Innocence'' (1985)...wherein he portrayed a hateful and vindictive judge who routinely sentenced juveniles to hard prison time, followed by lengthy and equally-torturous probation. Also noteworthy in Griffith's darker roles was his character in ''Under the Influence'' (1986), a TV movie in which Griffith played an alcoholic, abusive patriarch. He further surprised audiences with his role as a dangerous and mysterious grandfather in the television film ''Gramps'' (1995) co-starring [[John Ritter]]. He also appeared as a comical villain in the spy movie spoof ''[[Spy Hard]]'' (1996) starring [[Leslie Nielsen]]. In the television film ''[[A Holiday Romance]]'' (1999), Griffith played the role of Jake Peterson. In the film ''[[Daddy and Them]]'' (2001), Griffith portrayed the patriarch of a dysfunctional southern family.

In the feature film ''[[Waitress (2007 film)|Waitress]]'' (2007), Griffith played a crusty [[diner]] owner who takes a shine to [[Keri Russell]]'s character. His last appearance was the leading role in the [[romantic comedy]], [[independent film]] ''[[Play the Game (2009 film)|Play the Game]]'' (2009) as a lonely, widowed grandfather re-entering the dating world after a 60-year hiatus. The cast of ''Play the Game'' also included [[Rance Howard]], Ron Howard's real-life father, who had made appearances in various supporting roles on ''The Andy Griffith Show'', and [[Clint Howard]], Ron's younger brother, who had the recurring role of Leon (the kid offering the ice cream cone or peanut butter sandwich) on ''The Andy Griffith Show''.