Benji (1974 film)

Benji is the first film in a series of five theatrical features about the golden mixed breed dog named Benji. It was written, produced, and directed by Joe Camp and filmed in and around Denton, Texas. Released in 1974, it was a critical and box office success, grossing 45 million on a budget of 500,000. The film also received an Academy Award nomination for the Best Original Song for the theme song I Feel Love, by Euel Box. The film was turned down for distribution by every studio in Hollywood and Camp had to form a distribution company to distribute the film worldwide, without the help of Hollywood. Despite the challenges, Variety reported that Benji rankedamong the top Box Office films of 1974.citation needed

One day Benji befriends another stray dog presumably a Maltese that Mary names Tiffany, and the kids plead with their father to allow them to keep her and Benji, but he refuses. Benji escorts Tiffany to his hideout, an old, abandoned house rumored to be haunted. Two people later break in and bring a kidnapped Paul and Cindy into the house. Benji rushes to tell Dr. Chapman and Mary of the kids whereabouts but is shooed out by Mary, naturally not understanding the message Benji is trying to get across. Determined, Benji then grabs the ransom note that Dr. Chapman had been showing to the police, but it gets taken from him, leaving Benji is a loss at what to do next. Benji then follows two policemen into the station and gets locked in and seems doomed until he accidentally turns on a drivethrough intercom, getting the attention of the janitor, who comes back in to let him out. Benji returns to the old house and spots a failed attempt at writing the ransom note and an idea strikes him. He grabs the crumpled note and tries to flee, but is grabbed by one of the kidnappers. Tiffany then rushes out and bites the kidnapper on the shin, but gets a vicious kick in return that severely injures her. Benji then races back to the Chapmans, but Linda Deborah Walley, the kidnappers accomplice, beats him there.Benji eventually leads police to the kidnappers. Paul and Cindy are rescued and the kidnappers are arrested. Paul and Cindys father decides to let both Benji and Tiffany stay at their house for as long as they want, which Paul and Cindy are happy about. ........

Source: Wikipedia