McKinney is gearing up for a special celebration marking the 50th anniversary of Benji, the beloved 1974 film largely shot in the city.
On Oct. 19, 2024, the community will honor the film's legacy with a series of events, including a free screening of the original movie at the McKinney Performing Arts Center. The celebration will also feature a pet rescue fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown McKinney, with adoptable pets available from local rescues such as Lift Me Up Rescue and Doodle Dandy Rescue. The screening will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Courtroom Theater, and attendees are encouraged to reserve their tickets in advance on Eventbrite.
As part of the 50th-anniversary celebration, McKinney residents can also participate in a "Benji lookalike" contest. Eight adorable-looking finalists compete for the title of the best Benji doppelgänger. Voting is open on the event website, and to ensure fairness, only one vote per email is allowed.
Benji, which tells the story of a lovable stray dog who helps rescue two kidnapped children, has held a special place in McKinney's history since its release. Much of the movie was filmed in and around the city, cementing its spot on the Texas Film Commission's Classic Films Trail.
Visitors still come to McKinney to see the famous "Benji house" and other notable filming locations. To commemorate this connection, McKinney unveiled a Benji statue earlier this year, created by artist Susan Norris and funded by the city with support from the Daisy Riddle Family. The statue stands on the southeast corner of Virginia and Tennessee streets in the downtown square.
The original Benji film was a low-budget indie production written, produced and directed by Joe Camp. Despite being rejected by Hollywood studios, Camp founded his own production company to release the film, which became a box-office hit, grossing $45 million worldwide. Its theme song, "I Feel Love" by Charlie Rich, was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
For more information about McKinney’s Benji 50th Anniversary Celebration, click here.
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