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:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (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:

The only existing "trick" Herbie from the movie which can do everything that Herbie is known for, like squirting oil and opening his doors by himself, is owned by Dean Jones.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the drive up restaurant, Carole's earrings are on when talking to Jim Douglas, off when talking to the hippies, and then back on again when talking to Jim Douglas again.

Quotes:

Carole: Excuse me, Mr. Thorndyke, but if I sold this gentleman the car, I feel a certain responsibility.
[to Jim]
Carole: Do you mind if I try it?
[Jim nods and motions her to go ahead; they go over to the VW Bug]
Mr. Thorndyke: [shocked] Miss Bennett! Our dinner engagement!
Carole: [getting in] I won't be a minute.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Pumaman (#10.3)" (1998)

Soundtrack:

Tik-Tak-Polka op. 365

the best one in the series

Definitely this one is the best in the whole Herbie series. The characters are excellent. I found Dean Jones (Douglas) the most interesting to watch. At the beginning of the movie, he is totally dependent upon himself, not thinking the little car he is driving is actually doing it all for him. At the end, it is totally different. Michele Lee (Carole) helps to tame Jones really well and works very well at supporting Jones. Buddy Hackett (Tennessee) is a very interesting and funny character to watch - his belief that Herbie has an inner person in him, talking to Herbie as if Herbie actually had a real soul, and so on. David Tomlison (Thornkyke) as the movie villain is so cool. His lines are funny and his actions are engaging to the very end. Herbie himself is great providing all the laughs as well as only a Volkswagon can. Herbie was what really inspired me to want to get a VW bug. "The Love Bug" is terrific and if you like slapstick commedy, this film is for you. Only don't get too disappointed if you come away feeling that you're too old for this film.