Benji's Very Own Christmas Story

1978 0h 25m EN

😐

5.2

MID

⭐

5.3

IMDB

★5.2TMDB · 19★5.3IMDB · 372

TV MovieFamily

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

While on a publicity tour in Switzerland, Benji, Cindy Smith, and Patsy Garrett convince Kris Kringle that his place on Christmas Eve is delivering presents to all "his" families all over the world.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Ron Moody
Kris Kringle
Patsy Garrett
Mary
Cynthia Smith
Cindy Chapman
Benjean
Benji
Sadie Corre
Pins
Marcus Powell
Needles
Deep Roy
Key Elf

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Joe Camp
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 25-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

48 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

CINEMA

Did you know

Part of the "The Benji Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Joe Camp, shot by Don Reddy. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Euel Box. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Ron Moody and Patsy Garrett and Cynthia Smith carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0275225 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Joe Camp directs. Don Reddy behind the camera. Euel Box scores. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 25-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
248 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Part of the "The Benji Collection" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
4Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
5Directed by Joe Camp, shot by Don Reddy. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Euel Box. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Ron Moody and Patsy Garrett and Cynthia Smith carry the top of the cast.
8IMDB entry: tt0275225 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 19 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Don Reddy
Original score: Euel Box
Runtime: 25 min · 0h 25m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: EN
Certification (US): G
IMDB: Benji's Very Own Christmas Story (1978)
IMDB rating: 5.3/10 · 372 votes
MPAA: Unrated

Awards

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. 3 nominations total

Part of

The Benji Collection

Benji is the name of a dog who has been the focus of several movies from 1974 through the 2000s. It is also the title of the first film in the Benji franchise. The eponymous canine character is a small, lovable mixed-breed dog with an uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time, usually to help someone overcome a problem. Joe Camp is the creator and director of the Benji films. The first dog to play Benji was a shelter dog named Higgins, trained by Frank Inn. Later, Higgins' offspring Benjean took over the role for a few films.