Movie Type: Family-Oriented Adventure, Animal Picture
Themes: Hostage Situations, Man's Best Friend
Main Cast: Ed DeLatte, Erwin Hearne, Katie Hearne, Don Puckett, Charles Starkey, Patsy Garrett, Allen Fiuzat, Cynthia Smith, Peter Breck, Edgar Buchanan
Release Year: 1974
Country: US
Run Time: 85 minutes
Plot
An instant family classic, Benji is shot mostly from the a dog's-eye view , adding even more characterization to a title character well-played by canine veteran Higgins. Benji is an intelligent homeless mutt adopted by a loving family; when the kids are kidnapped, it's the little dog to the rescue in the best tradition of bigger doggie heroes like Rin Tin Tin and Lassie. Believe it or not, Higgins really acts; his captivating performance and the simple, straightforward telling of the story makes for all-around family fun. A sequel didn't fare as well, but the original Benji is still a furry favorite. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
Frances Bavier - Lady With Cat; Terry Carter - Officer Tuttle; Christopher Connelly - Henry; Tom Lester - Riley; Mark Slade - Mitch; Larry Swartz - Floyd; Herb Vigran - Lt. Samuels; Deborah Walley - Linda; J.D. Young - Second Policeman; Joe Camp - Newspaper Boy; Ben Vaughn - Man; Victor Raider-Wexler - Payton Murrah; Ed DeLatte - Bob Fielding; Erwin Hearne - Mr. Harvey; Katie Hearne - Mrs. Harvey; Don Puckett - Plainclothesman; Charles Starkey - Custodian; Higgins the Dog - Benji; Robert Thomas - Second Custodian
Credit
Joe Camp - Director, Don Reddy - Editor, Lee Smith - Editor, Euel Box - Composer (Music Score), Harland Wright - Production Designer, Don Reddy - Cinematographer, Joe Camp - Producer, Harland Wright - Producer, Joe Camp - Screenwriter
Benji is a lovable stray dog who lives in a small Texas town where he has befriended many local people, each of whom calls him by a different name. He gets plenty of food and attention whenever he visits with one of his acquaintances. He meets another stray dog, a diminutive white female with long fluffy hair, and the two dogs form a bond. When two children whom Benji loves are kidnapped and held for ransom, the dogs try to help, and Benji seeks out friendly human beings to assist him in freeing the children.
Benji was filmed near Dallas, Texas. The park scenes, as well as the municipal building, were filmed in Denton, Texas. The outdoor scenes were filmed primarily in McKinney, Texas and the house located at 1104 South Tennessee (now a bed and breakfast inn) served as the "haunted house" where the children were being held hostage.
