The Beniker Gang (1985)

"The Beniker Gang" is definitely agreeable family fare, a feature film adaptation of the novel "Dear Lola" by Judie Angell. Andrew McCarthy stars as Arthur Beniker, an 18 year old at an orphanage who is very close to some of his fellow orphans: Cassie (Jennifer Dundas), Edmund (Charles Fields), James (Jeff Alan-Lee), and Ben (Danny Pintauro). So much so, in fact, that the five of them are willing to do anything not to let their little "family" get split up. One day, they make a break from the orphanage, and travel cross country to set down roots in Missouri. They face snobbery from suspicious local townspeople, and Arthurs' capabilities as a supervisory figure come into question, although he's actually maintained a good living as the person behind the nationally syndicated "Dear Lola" advice column.The film isn't exactly all that sensible, or realistic, in some ways. But the five young actors in the primary roles are just so damn appealing that you do buy into them as a family of sorts. They also have good chemistry with each other. (One oddball character quirk that the story gives Ben is that he has a tendency to eat paper(!).) You also certainly understand Arthurs' decision to want to plead his case in court.This is ultimately a warm-hearted fable, with adequate pacing, and decent location shooting in New Jersey and New York state. It's not subtle when it wants to manipulate you, and some viewers may have a hard time keeping the tears at bay. But it does also have a good sense of humour, and at its best it can be pretty charming. One twist well into the story has Alan-Lee revealing his past, born into a carny background, and toting around a makeup kit that could easily rival the legendary Lon Chaneys'.The performances are wonderful right across the board. McCarthy is excellent, and the supporting cast features a number of familiar, reliable actors: Will Patton, George Martin, J.T. Walsh, William Duell, Bill Smitrovich, and Anthony Heald.Appropriate viewing for your younger family members.Seven out of 10.

I'm still not clear about how an orphan Andrew McCarthy was allowed to write a Dear Abby like column, but the story about how a group of orphans who created their own family is an intriguing plot premise even if the story could be told better.McCarthy was a member in good standing of Hollywood's famous Brat Pack of the 80s is involved here in a most un Brat Pack like story. When a group of orphans don't want to be split up with adoptions, McCarthy takes them out of the orphanage and they flee all the way to a small town in Missouri where they become his sister and 3 younger brothers, taking his name and becoming The Beniker Gang.Eventually they're caught, but it kind of sort of turns out OK. Imagine Kurt Russell's kids with a girl in Overboard and you have some idea of what the Benikers are like.Best scene in the film is McCarthy made up to look like his own grandfather to fool some nosy neighbors. The kids are resourceful no doubt.An interesting story, could have used improvement.

Its been awhile since I have seen this movie but reading the places where The Beniker Gang was filmed at, I noticed one town was missing. Parts of this movie were filmed in Winchester, Virginia. I noticed the Winchester Star newspaper box in the movie.I also seem to remember a scene of a car with a bumper sticker that said "Shenandoah County...Q102". Q102 is Winchester's country music radio station and they have been calling themselves "Shenandoah Country" since 1982. They still do to this day.Oddly around the same time Beniker was filmed, just a few miles away in nearby Martinsburg, West Virginia another movie was being filmed.The Patsy Cline bio-flick Sweet Dreams with Jessica Lange.

These are one of the 1980's movies that aren't pointless. This movie I like because the actors and actresses portray themselves with real feelings. They really have to fight for themselves in order to keep together. Of course Edmond may get into his fights, Ben eats his paper, and Cassie feels unpopular, but that is what makes the movie real. Whoever says this movie is boring, they need to look again. Sticking together isn't pointless at all!