McKinney commissions sculpture to honor 50th anniversary of first ‘Benji’ movie

Did you recognize the 1974 movie Benji was largely filmed in downtown McKinney?

Nearly 50 years later, town is trying to have a good time and commemorate its position in movie historical past by commissioning a devoted sculpture.

The metropolis introduced Wednesday in a news launch that it has signed a contract with artist Susan Norris.

The paintings, to be put in on the southeast nook of Tennessee and Virginia streets, will painting the lovable eponymous mutt. It be unveiled in a ceremony subsequent February. A screening of the movie can also be scheduled.

The movie was the first in a sequence about Benji the canine. It was written, produced and directed by Joe Camp and grossed $45 million on a funds of $500,000, town stated. Its theme tune obtained an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song, in accordance to IMDb.

The statue will likely be funded by town, and administered by the McKinney Arts Commission and the Daisy Riddle Family in reminiscence of their beloved canine, town stated.