Lives of Ben Franklin on CBS

An ambitious chronicle of Benjamin Franklin's remarkable career, portrayed by five actors at various stages in his long life. It aired during the run-up to the Bicentennial. Episodes were penned by Howard Fast and Loring Mandel, and had a superlative cast that included Melvyn Douglas, Richard Widmark, and Lloyd and Beau Bridges. It won Emmys for limited series, writing, art direction and music.