The Love Bug (1968)

Director:

Robert Stevenson

Writers:

Bill Walsh (screenplay) &
Don DaGradi (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

13 March 1969 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Sport

Tagline:

Herbie Will Honk His Way Into Your Heart.

Plot:

A race car driver becomes a champion with a Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own.

Plot Keywords:

Volkswagen | Volkswagen Beetle | Mining | Animate Car | Cult Favorite

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Dean Jones	...	Jim Douglas
Michele Lee	...	Carole Bennett
David Tomlinson	...	Peter Thorndyke
Buddy Hackett	...	Tennessee Steinmetz
Joe Flynn	...	Havershaw
Benson Fong	...	Mr. Wu
Andy Granatelli	...	Association President
Joe E. Ross	...	Detective
Iris Adrian	...	Carhop
Ned Glass	...	Toll Booth Attendant
Robert Foulk	...	Bice
Gil Lamb	...	Policeman at Park
Barry Kelley	...	Police Sgt.
Nicole Jaffe	...	Girl In Dune-buggy
Wally Boag

Also Known As:

Car-Boy-Girl (USA) (original script title)

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Australia:G | Iceland:L | Canada:G (video rating) | Argentina:Atp | Canada:F (Ontario) | Finland:S | Norway:A | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | USA:G | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

1000 block of Lombard Street, Lombard Street, San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

Walt Disney Productions

Trivia:

When beginning production of the film, Disney set up a casting call for about a dozen cars, and kept them outside the studios for the crew to examine during their breaks. Among the lineup were Toyotas, Volvos, and of course, the pearl white Volkswagen Beetle. When the crew walked by to inspect the cars, they would kick the tires and grab the steering wheel to see how it handled. However, when they came across the Volkswagen, they began to pet it, and so the Beetle got the job.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Jim first buys Herbie, he drives him from a single lane street onto a two lane street and past a sign that says "Left lane must turn left". Jim has just entered a one way street going the wrong way.

Quotes:

Mr. Thorndyke: Havershaw, I'm not a cowardly man, but I get the feeling that thing is out to get me.
Havershaw: Now now, sir, none of that. We're not losing our nerve are we?
Mr. Thorndyke: BLAST you, Havershaw! How dare you patronize me! I am not losing my nerve!
Havershaw: No sir. No sir, of course not.

Movie Connections:

Features Fireball 500 (1966)

Soundtrack:

Tik-Tak-Polka op. 365

Made for the whole family

The phrase "they don't make 'em like this any more" has become a bit of a cliche, but in this case it certainly applies.

This minor classic proves that there really was a time in which family entertainment movies were made for the whole family. The performances are excellent, especially David Tomlinson makes a gorgeous comedy villain. However, Dean Jones' play is equally recommendable, as the heroic lead is a much less rewarding role in pictures like this - while Tomlinson can just go for full throttle lovable nastiness, Jones needs to provide just the right dosages of heroism, arrogant charm, etc. to keep his character believable and flawed and likeable.