FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
A. Larry Ross (972) 267-1111
Melany Ethridge (214) 912-8934
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BENJI RACES BACK TO MOVIE SCREENS
New Film Starring Most Huggable Mutt in Movie History Opens in Theaters Aug. 20; Stays Independent to Retain Values
Dallas, June 02 – Benji, the canine superstar who has entertained millions of families over the years as one of the most cherished characters in movie history, is returning to the big screen as the star of a new movie, Benji Off the Leash. Parents who grew up watching Benji become the world ’s most huggable hero will now be able to introduce their children to this floppy-eared mutt who still inspires love, hope, and perseverance.
Benji Off the Leash is all about heroes – three unlikely, unsuspecting souls who come face-to-face with that moment in their lives when they must stand and be counted. According to early critical reviews and test audiences, it's the best Benji movie of them all, and the most fun! Critics are calling it hilarious, joyful, irresistible, and for all ages. Parents praise its age-appropriate humor and the lack of foul language or above-their-heads innuendo for a family movie. This is producer Joe Camp’s dream – to bring back a true “family film.”
“In just the past few years, movies referred to as ‘family’ fare have begun to show up with all sorts of language, potty humor, sexual innuendo and excessive violence in the name of action,” Camp said. “My dream is to see that bar – which has been dropped to the lowest-ever common denominator – go back up.
“I want to see fun, e xciting, dramatic, emotional, and humorous entertainment -- as opposed to sexual innuendo, gratuitous violence and gutter language,” Camp continued. “And I'm not talking about adult movies, but rather what Hollywood has begun to send us as films aimed at children.”
Benji Off the Leash brings together a band of unlikely comrades to aid the famous canine – he’s got no one but a belligerent bird and a bungling stray mutt to help. In addition to Benji, stand-out actors getting rave reviews include Nick Whitaker as the 14-year-old Colby who tries to care for the abandoned Benji puppy, and Duane Stephens as the well-intentioned but bumbling dog catcher, Sheldon.
Critics and audiences are raving about the new film. Phil Boatwright of The Movie Reporter, wrote in his early review: “A funny, exciting adventure. The canine cast is irresistible. I swear, the main two dogs in this film are acting. They have great expressions and a smart look that endears them to even the most cynical of moviegoers.”
Audiences at early screenings have given the film a 97 percent approval rating – extremely high for the industry -- saying they would definitely recommend it to family and friends. “That referral figure across all age brackets is especially exciting to me because the movie is designed in distinct layers, with comedy and funny dogs for the kids, and a good story and a serious Benji for adults,” said Camp, Benji’s creator, and writer and director of the new film.
Joe Camp and his Mulberry Square Productions are releasing the film independently, after he declined several Hollywood distributors. “Many were interested,” he explained, “but there was always one catch. In each of the three negotiations it came down to one thing -- we would have to give up complete and total control of the screenplay and of the content of the movie to the judgment of that Hollywood studio.
“I absolutely could not accept that,” Camp declared. “I saw what Mel Gibson was able to do without Hollywood, and I determined that we could do the same thing. Our core audience consists of a very similar demographic -- families who truly care about what their ch ildren watch.
“I believe we can make a success of Benji Off the Leash, and continue to confirm for Hollywood that families are a demographic of value for them -- and more importantly to them, to their bottom line,” Campo concluded.
To that end, Camp is hosting advance screenings of the movie around the country, encouraging key gatekeepers to rally around this film. If audiences can be mobilized to attend opening weekend, it will once again send a message to the major movie studios that the largest family demographic is not being reached by their current family releases. In one of the biggest years for summer “blockbusters,” Benji may seem like the underdog, but loyal fans know you can never underestimate this canine superstar.
Joe sums up his comments by adding, “But I would never ask for your support just because a movie is ‘clean’… or ‘wholesome’… or promotes ‘good values.’ That's no reason to pull yourself out of the house, and gather up the family, drive to a theater and spend a bunch of money for ‘clean.’ You can get that by staying at home. It is up to those of us who believe that it is important to, first and foremost, make a really terrific piece of entertainment that is also “clean”… and “wholesome”… and expresses positive values.”
Benji Off The Leash is the fourth Benji movie Camp has made. Since the first film debuted in 1974, more than 71 million people have seen Benji in theaters – at least half of them adults. All three previous theatrical releases have performed in the top ten percent for that year. After the original Benji movie, more than one million dogs were adopted from animal shelters across America. Camp hopes to see that number topped by pet adoptions inspired by the release of Benji Off the Leash!
Note: Benji and Joe Camp are available for interviews leading up to the Aug. 20 release date. To arrange some time with them, please call Melany Ethridge at (214) 912-8934 or email melany@alarryross.com.
