Crossroads may well be the only television program whose presence on the air can be directly traced to a child.
Originally conceived as a radio show, Crossroads was designed to dramatize the off-the-pulpit experiences of clergymen. When it failed to develop on radio, it was brought to the attention of Bernard L. Schubert, an independent TV producer. After trying unsuccessfully for weeks to come up with a suitable TV format, Schubert decided that perhaps Crossroads was not meant for TV either. But then the “little child” entered the picture.
Schubert’s young son is a member of the Knickerbocker Grays, a New York boys club. The club members were invited to hear an inspirational speech delivered by a Catholic priest and, as Schubert said, “the kids were wild about him.” When his son came home to rave about how wonderful the talk was, Schubert said, “I realized that Crossroads could make a go of it on TV and we gave it another try.” This. time the try was successful. Crossroads has just completed its first season as a Friday night telefilm series on ABC. While its ratings have not been sensational, they are impressive enough to convince the show’s sponsor, Chevrolet, to sign on for another year. Production on a new series of 39 films started in Hollywood in May. And after a series of 13 reruns this summer, the new Crossroads films start on ABC next fall, at the same time and for the same sponsor.
The biggest problem originally had to do with story material. Since Crossroads was to dramatize the daily life outside the church of clergymen of all three major faiths, a three-man board comprising a priest, a Protestant minister and a rabbi was established to scout stories and to approve their religious aspects.
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TV Guide Southern Minnesota | June 1930-July 6, 1956
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