Joe Camp, the director and creator of the 1974 classic Benji, died on March 15, 2024, at his home in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.
According to the New York Times, Camp’s son Brandon Camp announced the death in a statement, saying his father died “following a long illness” but provided no other details.
Camp's aspirations for directing sprouted as early as age 8, but he encountered years of setbacks. During his time at the University of Mississippi, he sought admission to U.C.L.A.'s film school, only to face rejection. Following college, he explored advertising at McCann Erickson's Houston office and later at Norsworthy-Mercer in Dallas, all the while crafting sitcom scripts that remained unproduced.
In 1971, Camp partnered with cinematographer James Nicodemus to establish their own production company, Mulberry Square Productions, headquartered in Dallas.
The concept for Benji came to Camp as he watched the animated Disney classic Lady and the Tramp. The Disney pups intrigued Camp, and he began studying his own dog's facial expressions, pondering the possibility of crafting a film centered around a real-life dog's experiences and narrated from the dog's point of view.
In the early 1970s, downtown McKinney became the primary setting for the majority of filming in Benji serving as the backdrop for its outdoor scenes. Written, produced and directed by Camp, the film revolves around a lovable stray dog that comes to the aid of two children facing peril.
What initially began as a modest independent production with a budget of $500,000 quickly soared to prominence. Benji grossed $45 million and received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.
Benji became a cultural touchstone for the city, drawing movie enthusiasts to the city to explore the locations featured in the film. Then in 2023, Camp’s fury icon became a permanent fixture for McKinney.
The Benji Love statue was unveiled during the city's annual Krewe of Barkus dog parade and festival on Feb. 19, 2023.
In addition to the dog statue ceremony, the city of McKinney is planning a family film festival in honor of Benji's notable anniversary. Details about the event have yet to be announced, although the city aims to host it sometime in late 2024.
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