The movie ‘Benji’ from 1974 is an intriguing and heartfelt family adventure film. This story centers around a stray dog that turns hero by finding and saving two kidnapped kids. The film was directed by Joe Camp and the star performers were Patsy Garrett, Allen Fiuzat, and Cynthia Smith. The film displays unique elements and authentic moments from filming locations, star performances, to the unheard stories behind the scenes.
Where it Filmed?
Benji’ was mainly filmed in two locations in the United States: Denton and McKinney, both cities in Texas. These locations were carefully chosen to represent the setting of the film as authentically as possible. The shooting for the movie began on 9th July 1973 and ended on 28th September 1973.
Cast Details
| Cast Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Patsy Garrett | Mary |
| Allen Fiuzat | Paul |
| Cynthia Smith | Cindy |
| Peter Breck | Dr. Chapman |
| Frances Bavier | Lady with the Cat |
| Terry Carter | Officer Tuttle |
| Edgar Buchanan | Bill |
| Tom Lester | Riley |
| Christopher Connelly | Henry |
| Deborah Walley | Linda |
| Mark Slade | Mitch |
| Herb Vigran | Lt. Samuels |
| Larry Swartz | Floyd |
| J.D. Young | Second Policeman |
| Erwin Hearne | Mr. Harvey |
| Katie Hearne | Mrs. Harvey |
| Don Puckett | Plainclothesman |
| Ed DeLatte | Bob Fielding |
| Victor Raider-Wexler | Payton Murrah |
| Charles Starkey | Custodian |
| Ben Vaughn | Man |
| Vicki Vanston | Two Girls |
| Jacqueline Ann Smith | Two Girls |
| Bill King | Groundskeeper |
| Robert Thomas | Second Custodian |
| Rene Marrou | |
| Biff Painter | |
| Higgins | Benji (uncredited) |
| January L’Angelle | Student (uncredited) |
| Tiffany | White dog (uncredited) |
Trivia and Facts
- The film is considered a favorite family movie and has become a timeless classic over the years due to its heartfelt and engaging narrative.
- The film was made with an estimated budget of $500,000, and it soon became a major hit, making it a productive venture for the creators.
- The enigmatic stray dog, Benji, was the prime aspect of the film that captured the hearts of the audience.
- Behind the scenes, the film crew played a major role in precisely capturing the moments, arranging the scenes, and taking care of the cast involving animals.
- One interesting trivia about the movie is that Alfred Hitchcock, one of the pioneering film directors in Hollywood, considered ‘Benji’ as one of his guilty pleasures.
Geo Location Details
- Location Name: Denton, Texas, USA
- Latitude: 33.2148412
- Longitude: -97.13306829999999
- Place ID: ChIJ0bGIwKBMTIYRG_sUSMt0RHI
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Denton, TX, USA
- Timezone: America/Chicago
- Location Name: McKinney, Texas, USA
- Latitude: 33.1983388
- Longitude: -96.6389342
- Place ID: ChIJlVR0oFoSTIYRJKYgZNoKKao
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: McKinney, TX, USA
- Timezone: America/Chicago
