FOR THE LOVE OF BENJI

Details

• Release Year: 1977
• Genre: Adventure, Drama, Family
• Plot: Benji's back in this second hit from writer-director Joe Camp, along with Cindy (Cynthia Smith) and Paul Chapman (Allen Fiuzat) and beloved housekeeper Mary (Patsy Garrett). They're en route to a vacation in Greece when a fellow passenger, Chandler Dietrich (Ed Nelson), 'borrows' Bengi for just long enough to tatoo a mysterious message on his paw. Separated from the family in Athens, Benji finds himself on the run from an assortment of international spies seeking an energy scientist, who has been working on a secret formula. 'There aren't enough superlatives to describe this sensational film!' says Family Weekly. 'Benji's acting performance is never better than in his first film.' You'll be sure to agree!; ; OR; ; What begins as a pleasure trip for Benji and his adopted human family soon turns into a tale of mystery, suspense, and international intrigue in this 1977 sequel to Joe Camp's hit movie, Benji. Without subtitles to decipher the mostly Greek dialogue, kids and grown-ups alike view the action from the limited perspective of this sweet and talented mutt. Here's what Benji knows: 1) Ever since a stranger pressed a tiny metal plate against his paw, a handful of seedy-looking characters (and the occasional Doberman) keep trying to capture him; 2) He's hungry; 3) He misses Mary (the chatty housekeeper played by Patsy Garrett), the kids (whom he rescued from kidnappers in the original), and his lady love, Tiffany (noticeably droopy from an unmentionable 'condition'). Not a great situation when stranded a few thousand miles from home. The action chugs along thanks to numerous chase scenes, a smattering of gunplay, and a heroic ending; but the overall effect falls short of the original. (Ages 4 to 9)
• Cast: Benji, Patsy Garrett, Cynthia Smith, Allen Fiuzat, Ed Nelson, Art Vasil, Peter Bowles, Bridget Armstrong, Michalis Lambrinos, Dean Goss, Tony Alatis, Catherine McClenry, Kostas Kleftogiannis, Giannis Kondoulis, Angela Cacoliris Samaras, Giorgos Velentzas, Joe Camp
• Director: Joe Camp
• Runtime: 1:25
• Company: Mulberry Square Releasing
• Media Format: Movie