That dog is so darn cute (and smart) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

OH Nuts! · 02-24-2010, 02:57 PM

"Higgins" who first appears in S#2 is a real charmer and so darn cute (and smart) smarter than Uncle Joe in fact who he beats in checkers. While Bea Benederet surely made the show this cute pooch is a nice 2nd! Your thoughts on this mensa-like dog?

Marvo301 · 02-24-2010, 07:47 PM

The dog was one of my favorite characters on the show. He was certainly smart and talented. It's a shame they never got around to naming him. They just called him dog! I heard a neat story about Higgins. Several years after Petticoat Junction went off the air Higgins was cast as Benji. Edgar Buchanan was also cast in that movie. When Higgins saw Edgar on the set he recognized his former cast mate, ran across the room, and jumped into his arms.

tv star collector · 02-24-2010, 07:56 PM

Higgins was the original Benji in the first movie (released in 1974). He was
rescued from the Burbank Animal Shelter, in early 1963, by animal trainer
Frank Inn. While he was working on The Beverly Hillbillies, Inn began
training Higgins and soon cast him as the dog on Petticoat Junction.
The show ran for seven years, and Higgins never missed a performance. When
the series ended, Frank decided that Higgins had earned his retirement. (He
was then almost 14 years old.) But, Joe Camp told him he wanted his new movie, "Benji," to tell a story completely from the dog's point of view. He needed a dog that could really act. When he met Higgins, he knew he had found that dog. So, Higgins/Benji came out of retirement. Producer Paul Henning called Higgins "the one-take dog."

Higgins was a mixed breed (part poodle, part cocker spaniel, part schnauser).
His most amazing ability was showing emotions through his facial expressions.
His special tricks included opening a mailbox and removing a letter, yawning,
and sneezing on cue.

Higgins won a PATSY Award in 1966 for his work on Petticoat Junction.
In 1975, the American Humane Association inducted Higgins as Benji into
their Hall of Fame. The only prior honoree was Lassie.

When Joe Camp decided to film a sequel to "Benji," called "For the Love of
Benji" (1977), Higgins was too old for the strenuous role of a dog on the
loose in Greece, so his daughter (Benjean) took on the the role for her father. Descendants continued the tradition in the films "Oh, Heavenly Dog!,"
"Benji the Hunted," "Benji Off the Leash"'; in TV specials and in a Saturday morning TV series,
Benji, Zax, and the Alien Prince.

[Sources: The Phenomenon of Benji, by Frank Inn; and Amazing
Animal Actors, by Pauline Bartel]

McGillicuddy · 02-28-2010, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

The dog was one of my favorite characters on the show. He was certainly smart and talented. It's a shame they never got around to naming him. They just called him dog! I heard a neat story about Higgins. Several years after Petticoat Junction went off the air Higgins was cast as Benji. Edgar Buchanan was also cast in that movie. When Higgins saw Edgar on the set he recognized his former cast mate, ran across the room, and jumped into his arms.

Linda Kay Henning told that story in one of her commentaries on the dvd sets. She also said that Edgar never thought Higgins would remember him and was so taken aback, that he cried!

OH Nuts! · 03-02-2010, 05:39 PM

Well just goes to show you Higgins really was a VERY SMARTdog! He & Bea made the show imho

Jude The Obscure · 03-10-2010, 06:13 PM

I just started watching Season 2 and as good as Season 1 is, Season 2 is made better by the addition of Higgins. I also love the interplay with other Hooterville characters who would turn up even more on Green Acres.

stanwyckfan07 · 06-29-2011, 05:18 AM

I remember as a kid in the 70s watching the reruns it drove all the kids in the neighrborhood crazy how the dog on PETTICOAT JUNCTION was just named "Dog"!! Who names their dog Dog!!!

(It's also kind of funny that the biggest star to emerge from the show was the dog via the smash BENJI movie.)

biffbronson · 06-29-2011, 05:36 PM

It's claimed that one one episode, Lori Saunders (Bobbie Jo) accidentally called him by his real name (Higgins) on the air, not being caught by the editors. I'll be watching for that.

McGillicuddy · 06-29-2011, 08:04 PM

I think the most touching story about Higgins the dog, is when he first saw Edgar Buchanan, who appeared in one of the Benjie movies , sometime after Petticoat Junction ended, he recognized him and ran and jumped on his lap. Edgar was moved to tears.

old grouch · 06-30-2011, 09:28 AM

June Lockhart got to work with the two biggest dogs in showbiz, Lassie and Benji (a.k.a. Higgins).

gilligan fanatic · 11-03-2012, 01:02 PM

I love Higgins on the show, but why didn't they give him a name on the show. How hard could it be to come up with a name for him. Did they not give him a name on purpose?

liane49 · 04-13-2013, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

The dog was one of my favorite characters on the show. He was certainly smart and talented. It's a shame they never got around to naming him. They just called him dog! I heard a neat story about Higgins. Several years after Petticoat Junction went off the air Higgins was cast as Benji. Edgar Buchanan was also cast in that movie. When Higgins saw Edgar on the set he recognized his former cast mate, ran across the room, and jumped into his arms.

I wonder how the dogs ears would go stright up or how he could put both paws over his eyes.

Bonniegirl · 10-02-2014, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

The dog was one of my favorite characters on the show. He was certainly smart and talented. It's a shame they never got around to naming him. They just called him dog! I heard a neat story about Higgins. Several years after Petticoat Junction went off the air Higgins was cast as Benji. Edgar Buchanan was also cast in that movie. When Higgins saw Edgar on the set he recognized his former cast mate, ran across the room, and jumped into his arms.

That is adorable!!

I love that little dog! I love how in the ending credits when he is running along with the train!

Today he was bringing home really large bones! Nobody knew where they were coming from! Turned out the Pixley museum was closed for renovations and the Dog was sneaking in stealing prehistoric dinosaur bones and bringing them back to the shady rest!!!

CosmicCharlie · 04-16-2019, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

That is adorable!!

I love that little dog! I love how in the ending credits when he is running along with the train!

Today he was bringing home really large bones! Nobody knew where they were coming from! Turned out the Pixley museum was closed for renovations and the Dog was sneaking in stealing prehistoric dinosaur bones and bringing them back to the shady rest!!!

wow - I remember that from 50+- years ago - Thx

Bonniegirl · 04-16-2019, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmicCharlie

wow - I remembere hat from 50+- years ago - Thx

Wow, I posted that back in 2014! I remember watching Petticoat Junction on METV on weekday mornings than! What a nice show to watch when I just woke up and was having coffee!

Wish it were still on at that time !

02-24-2010, 02:57 PM	#1
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	That dog is so darn cute (and smart) "Higgins" who first appears in S#2 is a real charmer and so darn cute (and smart) smarter than Uncle Joe in fact who he beats in checkers. While Bea Benederet surely made the show this cute pooch is a nice 2nd! Your thoughts on this mensa-like dog?

06-29-2011, 05:36 PM	#8
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,291	It's claimed that one one episode, Lori Saunders (Bobbie Jo) accidentally called him by his real name (Higgins) on the air, not being caught by the editors. I'll be watching for that.
	__________________ In memory of lovely Erin Moran 1960-2017 ~ Missing you "For you are beautiful ~ And I have loved you dearly ~ More dearly than the spoken word can tell..." "What's the word?" (Paul Martin) ~~ "I don't want money for nothing." (Timmy Martin) -- Lassie ROCKS! WORD UP "It's just a dugout that my dad built... In case the reds* decide to push the button down..."*

11-03-2012, 01:02 PM	#11
gilligan fanatic Born to Be Bad Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: down by the Lagoon Posts: 9,954	I love Higgins on the show, but why didn't they give him a name on the show. How hard could it be to come up with a name for him. Did they not give him a name on purpose?
	__________________ Matt Filmaf ~ Twitter ~ Last.FM

02-24-2010, 07:47 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,450	The dog was one of my favorite characters on the show. He was certainly smart and talented. It's a shame they never got around to naming him. They just called him dog! I heard a neat story about Higgins. Several years after Petticoat Junction went off the air Higgins was cast as Benji. Edgar Buchanan was also cast in that movie. When Higgins saw Edgar on the set he recognized his former cast mate, ran across the room, and jumped into his arms.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

02-24-2010, 07:56 PM	#3
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	Higgins was the original Benji in the first movie (released in 1974). He was rescued from the Burbank Animal Shelter, in early 1963, by animal trainer Frank Inn. While he was working on The Beverly Hillbillies, Inn began training Higgins and soon cast him as the dog on Petticoat Junction. The show ran for seven years, and Higgins never missed a performance. When the series ended, Frank decided that Higgins had earned his retirement. (He was then almost 14 years old.) But, Joe Camp told him he wanted his new movie, "Benji," to tell a story completely from the dog's point of view. He needed a dog that could really act. When he met Higgins, he knew he had found that dog. So, Higgins/Benji came out of retirement. Producer Paul Henning called Higgins "the one-take dog." Higgins was a mixed breed (part poodle, part cocker spaniel, part schnauser). His most amazing ability was showing emotions through his facial expressions. His special tricks included opening a mailbox and removing a letter, yawning, and sneezing on cue. Higgins won a PATSY Award in 1966 for his work on Petticoat Junction. In 1975, the American Humane Association inducted Higgins as Benji into their Hall of Fame. The only prior honoree was Lassie. When Joe Camp decided to film a sequel to "Benji," called "For the Love of Benji" (1977), Higgins was too old for the strenuous role of a dog on the loose in Greece, so his daughter (Benjean) took on the the role for her father. Descendants continued the tradition in the films "Oh, Heavenly Dog!," "Benji the Hunted," "Benji Off the Leash"'; in TV specials and in a Saturday morning TV series, Benji, Zax, and the Alien Prince. [Sources: The Phenomenon of Benji, by Frank Inn; and Amazing Animal Actors, by Pauline Bartel]

03-02-2010, 05:39 PM	#5
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Well just goes to show you Higgins really was a VERY SMARTdog! He & Bea made the show imho

03-10-2010, 06:13 PM	#6
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,519	I just started watching Season 2 and as good as Season 1 is, Season 2 is made better by the addition of Higgins. I also love the interplay with other Hooterville characters who would turn up even more on Green Acres.

06-29-2011, 05:18 AM	#7
stanwyckfan07 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 26, 2011 Location: LA Posts: 106	I remember as a kid in the 70s watching the reruns it drove all the kids in the neighrborhood crazy how the dog on PETTICOAT JUNCTION was just named "Dog"!! Who names their dog Dog!!! (It's also kind of funny that the biggest star to emerge from the show was the dog via the smash BENJI movie.)

06-29-2011, 08:04 PM	#9
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	I think the most touching story about Higgins the dog, is when he first saw Edgar Buchanan, who appeared in one of the Benjie movies , sometime after Petticoat Junction ended, he recognized him and ran and jumped on his lap. Edgar was moved to tears.

06-30-2011, 09:28 AM	#10
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	June Lockhart got to work with the two biggest dogs in showbiz, Lassie and Benji (a.k.a. Higgins).