In 1961, Franz starred in the episode "The Duke of Texas" of western series "Have Gun - Will Travel." Also, in that same year, Franz guest-starred as Gustave Helmer in the ABC legal drama "The Law and Mr. Jones" with James Whitmore in the title role and Jack Mullaney as a second guest star. About that same time, he portrayed characters on NBC's anthology series "The Barbara Stanwyck Show" and on the NBC western "Cimarron City". Always dedicated to the theater, despite his television work, Franz in 1961 performed in the world premiere in Los Angeles of Edna St. Vincent Millay's poetic drama "Conversation At Midnight", co-starring with James Coburn and Jack Albertson. Two years later, Franz was cast as psychiatric clinic director Dr. Edward Raymer in 30 episodes of the weekly ABC medical drama "Breaking Point" with co-star Paul Richards. Then, in 1964, he reprised his role in "Conversation At Midnight" at Broadway's Billy Rose Theatre. Both that stage version of Millay's work and the one done in 1961 were produced by Worley Thorne in association with Susan Davis.