Wichita's Christopher Connelly in "Benji" (1974)

Starring Wichita's, Christopher Connelly

Benji is a 1974 American family film written, produced and directed by Joe Camp. It is the first in a series of five films about the golden mixed breed dog named Benji.

Filmed in and around McKinney and Denton in Texas, the story follows Benji, a stray but friendly dog, who is adored by some of the townspeople, including two children named Cindy and Paul. The children fail to convince their father, Dr. Chapman, to allow Benji to stay at their home. When the children are kidnapped by a band of robbers as part of a ransom, Benji attempts to rescue them.

The film grossed $45 million on a budget of $500,000, and its theme song received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. The film was turned down by every studio in Hollywood; Camp had to form his own film company to distribute the film worldwide. This film was Frances Bavier's and Edgar Buchanan's last on-screen acting appearances before they retired and died in 1989 and 1979 respectively.

Cast:
Higgins as Benji
Patsy Garrett as Mary
Cynthia Smith as Cindy Chapman
Allen Fiuzat as Paul Chapman
Peter Breck as Dr. Chapman
Christopher Connelly as Henry
Tom Lester as Riley
Mark Slade as Mitch
Deborah Walley as Linda
Herb Vigran as Lt. Samuels
Frances Bavier as Lady with Cat
Edgar Buchanan as Bill
Terry Carter as Officer Tuttle
Larry Swartz as Floyd
J.D. Young as Second Policeman
Tiffany as White Dog
January L'Angelle as Student (uncredited)
John P. Biff Painter as Store Burglar

Variety called the film "a very superior piece of family fare. Its star is a dog, ragtag in appearance and with a winning way that should endear it to every audience fortunate enough to catch the picture." Linda Gross of the Los Angeles Times called it a "cheery family film" that was "prettily photographed." Michael Grossbard of The Monthly Film Bulletin described the film as "quite effectively told from a doggy-eye view" and wrote that Joe Camp "seems to have cracked the Disney monopoly on family entertainment with his first effort, though the Master in his heyday had more wit, originality and artistry."

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