As a 38 yr. old male, I have no problem admitting that I bawled my eyes out when I saw Benji The Hunted in 1987. And yep, if you do the math that means I was a scant 17 years of age. What really gets me in the "weepy schoolgirl" gene, is that I recently discovered that there have been 3 Benji dogs…and 2 are dead.
It all started sometime in the early ‘60s when Frank Inn found a scrappy little mutt in a California animal shelter. Frank believed this golden, dark brown fluffy dog to be of miniature poodle, schnauzer and cocker spaniel decent. He named him Higgins and the rest is a tale straight out of Hollywood legend. In the mid 60s, Higgins went on to star in the hit TV shows Petticoat Junction and Green Acres, and the little known film Mooch Goes to Hollywood. Higgins then retired from the spotlight. Though in 1974 director Joe Camp convinced Higgins (at age 15) to come out of retirement to star in the first Benji feature. Camp even got Higgins to do his own stunts. Soon after the film’s release – Higgins died. Sadly the scrappy little mutt from Burbank never got to experience the true success of this soon to be franchise. However, he did get to father a daughter. Frank named her Benjean. Except for her ears (which the studio dyed for the films) she was the spitting image of dear old dad. And from 1977-1989, Benjean starred in 3 features and a bunch of TV specials. Her 1981 TV film Benji Takes a Dive in Marineland scored ratings gold. Sadly, Benjean too expired in the early 90s.
Today, Benji #3 is in no relation to the Higgins lineage. Joe Camp (creator of the Benji series) wound up doing a nationwide search to find the Benji-esque look-alike. He finally found her in a Gulfport Missippi shelter. So far B3 has starred in Benji: Off the Leash and is currently in production with Wild Mustangs. She also has her own podcast at Benji.com
If you don’t cry watching this pivotal BENJI THE HUNTED scene you’re an unfeeling, cold robot...
I'm watching Benji the first movie now. I'm sad these smart furry actors are gone.Higgins was aged in this one. He was at least 16.I grew up on these movies.Too bad Frank Inn has long passed as well. I loved the good old days. They don't make em like they used to.
ReplyDeleteI'm watching Benji the first movie now. I'm sad these smart furry actors are gone.Higgins was aged in this one. He was at least 16.I grew up on these movies.Too bad Frank Inn has long passed as well. I loved the good old days. They don't make em like they used to.
ReplyDeleteThe dog from Benji Off the Leash is the fourth. Benjean had a son that didn't star in any films because Joe Camp's wife had a stroke and eventually died during that time period. He is pictured on the cover of a book called " Benji and Me" by Joe. In May 2016 Joe Camp introduced a new Benji ( one that actually looks like the original two) and passed the Benji movie making to his son Brandon.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine! It sounds like you know a lot about the Benji dogs. I have been trying to research Benjean for several years now, and all I keep finding is "daughter of Higgins." By any chance, do you know what year Benjean was born, and what year she passed away? Higgins's life story is well-documented, and I wish Benjean's life story could be also. Thank you for letting us know that Benjean had a son!
ReplyDeleteI completely, agree!
DeleteWhy not attempt to make contact with Joe Camp? I am sure he could tell you everything.
ReplyDeleteMy dog looks just like Benji.
ReplyDeleteSo, when Benjean died.
ReplyDelete1990
DeleteI'm afraid that nobody's will make the life history of Benjean anymore. Frank inn has passed away 20 years ago, only his daughters can do such information with accuracy now. By the way Joe Camp seems that doesn't really care about Benjean memory because i never seen him talk about her. Only a few years ago the internet supply us with some vague informations on Benjean, but what happened to her after Benji The Hunted is still a mistery that can be solved by Frank's daughters. I see a bunch of internet newbies criticizing the movies of Benjean and the series classic Benji, Zax and The Alien prince saying that is an idiot series........idiots are you that think this......why criticize if you dont like? I will always love Benjean and Higgins for what they did in that time, they teach me love and respect for the dogs and animals in general. I wish i could know Benjean and Frank Inn that time.......but life is ungrateful sometimes, Frank Inn has passed away about 20 years now and Benjean has passed away about 31 years i think. Rest in peace Frank and Benjean, someday i will know you somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI loved Benji so much, still have the stuffed animals and remember coloring in a poster art kit of 'For the Love of Benji'. Also had a Benji calendar one year, which I only remember because I save the October picture of what is obviously Benjean lying on a porch next to a Jack o'Lantern. Wish I had saved the whole thing, she was my favourite and an amazing actor capable of conveying exactly whatever emotions the script wanted her to convey. I never thought 'oh this is a dog following their trainer's cues' when watching her movies; I fully believed in the character. Also have a couple of the movie novelisations and what might have been called 'The Story of Benji'? about the dogs. I'm kind of sad that I never got to meet Benjean's son as the third Benji; the non-related dog that was christened Benji 4 didn't do anything for me when I watched his movie.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to Benjean son after Frank and his wife passed away
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