The Herbie franchise consists of American sports adventure comedy theatrical feature films, one television film, a television series, and other multimedia releases. The overall story centers around the titular Herbie, a sentient anthropomorphic 1963 Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of his own and capable of driving himself. The vehicle is oftentimes a legitimate contender, though the underdog contestant in competitive races, but to a greater degree assists his human owners in bettering their lives.
The first film, notable for being the final live-action film produced under the supervision by Walt Disney prior to his death, was released in 1969. Based on a story titled "Car, Boy, Girl", the feature proved to be a critical and financial success for Walt Disney Productions. Upon its release, the movie was the second-highest-grossing film for the company, second only to Mary Poppins (1964). Its performance placed it fourth highest on box office returns, and spawned a franchise. Each of the subsequent releases were successes in their own right, but none received as much universal praise as the original.
The second film was met with generally positive reception from critics.Canby, Vincent (June 7, 1974). "The Screen: ' Herbie' Rides Again to Defend Landmarks". The New York Times. 23.Siskel, Gene (July 17, 1974). "Disney's 'Herbie' Rides Again'". Chicago Tribune. Section 2, p. 5. The third film was met with mixed reception, while the fourth film was met with mixed to negative reviews and is often classified as the weakest Herbie film. The television series was panned by critics, resulting in a cancellation following five episodes, with reviews calling it "domesticated", "mild", and "boring". The fifth film was met with negative reviews, citing its inferiority to the original. The sixth film was met with mixed reception, and garnered the highest box-office returns out of all of the installments. Though the film was criticized for various aspects including the plot, it was seen as a return to form for the franchise.
Origin In 1961, a short story titled "Car, Boy, Girl" was written by Gordon Buford. In an interview with a United States publication for Volkswagen owners titled Small World Magazine, Buford stated that the idea for his story came from growing up on a Colorado farm, where he witnessed how his parents treated their vehicles with a similar manner as they did their horses. As the story was not published, it is believed that it was presented directly to Walt Disney and had its film rights purchased by Walt Disney Productions shortly thereafter. The Love Bug was the last live-action film produced by Disney before Walt Disney's death.
Films Film U.S. release date Director Screenwriter(s) Story by Producer(s) The Love Bug March 13, 1969 Robert Stevenson Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi Bill Walsh Herbie Rides Again Bill Walsh Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo Vincent McEveety Arthur Alsberg & Don Nelson Ron Miller Herbie Goes Bananas Don Tait The Love Bug Peyton Reed Ryan Rowe Joan Van Horn and Irwin Marcus Herbie: Fully Loaded Angela Robinson Thomas Lennon & Robert Ben Garant and Alfred Gough & Miles Millar Thomas Lennon & Robert Ben Garant and Mark Perez Robert Simonds
The Love Bug (1968)
Has-been professional race car driver Jim Douglas and his philosophical mechanic Tennessee Steinmetz find themselves in possession of a white Volkswagen Beetle that seems to have a mind and spirit of its own. Naming the car Herbie, Jim and Tennessee become the talk of the California racing circuit. Sports-car dealer and circuit contestant Peter Thorndyke tries to use his assistant to come between the friends and their car.
Herbie Rides Again (1974)
Alonzo P. Hawk is a mean-spirited property developer who has bought several blocks of land in the downtown district in order to build a gigantic shopping mall. There is one problem however; an elderly widow named Mrs. Steinmetz who won't sell the one remaining lot that Hawk needs to proceed with his scheme. So he resorts to all manner of chicanery, legal or otherwise, to get it. After they discover Alonzo's plans, it's up to Herbie to save the day and save Mrs. Steinmetz's home.
Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977)
Jim Douglas, reunited with Herbie, finds himself once again hitting the roads in a race car event. This time, Jim and Herbie, along with goofy mechanic Wheely Applegate compete in a French competition. Also involved in the automotive adventure are Quincey and Max, a pair of jewel thieves, and Diane Darcy, the beautiful woman who drives Giselle, a sporty female car and Herbie's love interest.
Herbie Goes Bananas (1980)
Jim's nephew, Pete and his friend D.J., board a cruise ship called the Sun Princess to Panama to enter Herbie in the Brazil Grand Primero. Unknown to them, a young pickpocket named Paco has stowed away in Herbie's trunk, as a trio of gold counterfeiters pursue the youngster in an attempt to retrieve the location of a source of ancient Inca gold.
The Love Bug (1997)
Herbie, the inimitable VW Beetle is destined for the scrap heap, until down-on-his-luck mechanic Hank Cooper takes him over and gives him a new lease of life, much to the fury of his previous owner, who builds a menacing, evil, black Beetle to challenge Herbie and Hank to a one-on-one race.
Released as a made-for-television movie, as a part of The Magical World of Walt Disney, this installment was marketed as a remake. Events of the film reveal it is in fact a sequel to the previous films.
Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005)
Maggie Peyton wants to become a NASCAR driver but her overprotective father, Ray Peyton Sr. won't hear of it. A former racer himself, Ray wants Maggie to take a lucrative television sportscasting job and leave the dangers of driving to her crash-prone brother. When Ray Sr. takes Maggie to a junkyard to pick out a car, she has no idea that the little Volkswagen Beetle, named Herbie, she takes home will change her life.
Television
Live-action Herbie, the Love Bug (1982)
A television series based on, and a continuation of, the film series was developed and released from March 17 – April 14, 1982. The series was released as a mid-season replacement to a cancelled show, and was given the 8:00 P.M. time slot. Developed and executive produced by William Robert Yates, the television show was written by Arthur Alsberg, Don Nelson, and Don Tait. The production was produced by Walt Disney Productions, and distributed by Buena Vista Television. The series, which aired on the Columbia Broadcasting System, did not receive a second season.Brooks, Tom; Marsh, Earle F. The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present p. 603.
Episodes Title U.S. airdate Director Written by Producers 1 "Herbie the Matchmaker" Charles S. Dubin Arthur Alsberg & Don Nelson William Robert Yates and Kevin Corcoran 2 "Herbie to the Rescue" Vincent McEveety 3 "My House is Your House" Bill Bixby Don Tait 4 "Herbie, the Best Man" Vincent McEveety Arthur Alsberg & Don Nelson 5 "Calling Dr. Herbie" Bill Bixby
Jim Douglas, a former racing driver, owns and runs a driving school, along with his sentient VW Beetle, Herbie. Jim stumbles upon an attempted bank robbery, and with Herbie's help rescues a hostage. Later, the driving school is closed down after Herbie interferes with a motor vehicle inspection. Jim begins a relationship with a divorcee named Susan MacLane. Together with her daughter and two sons, Jim and Susan begin to build a family unit, to the disdain and envy of her ex-boyfriend/fiancé Randy.
When the pair become engaged, Randy attempts to sabotage the relationship. Jim's ex-girlfriend shows up to his bachelor party, while Randy kidnaps Herbie and replaces him with a look-alike vehicle. After his plans to ruin the wedding are stopped, with the assistance of Herbie, Jim and Susan are married. Together, they sell her vehicle and purchase a family-sized station wagon. Herbie joyfully gains a larger family, with the new additions of Susan, Julie, Robbie, and Matthew.
Featured appearances In 1990, Herbie made an appearance in the second season of the 1980s/90s revival of The Mickey Mouse Club. The character appears briefly in a spoof skit titled, "Herbie the Love Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup". One of the versions of Herbie, that appeared in the Disney Parade, also briefly appears in the comedy skit titled "Clown College". The character is redesigned as a clown car for the routine.
Animation Herbie has a brief appearance in the House of Mouse season 2 episode titled "Max's New Car". The character appears with other Disney vehicles. Herbie encourages Max Goof to talk to his father about buying a car. Herbie has a brief cameo in The Simpsons season 11 episode titled "Beyond Blunderdome". Released in 1999, the character appears alongside various other famous vehicles in the Movie Car Museum. Though the appearance was originally produced by 20th Century Fox Television, through acquisition of 21st Century Fox by The Walt Disney Company in 2019, the cameo is currently distributed by the latter company's subsidiary, 20th Television. Herbie has a brief appearance in the American Dad! season 13 episode titled "Stan Smith as Keanu Reeves as Stanny Utah in Point Breakers". Released in 2016, the character helps Stan escape from a collaborative attack from poachers and wolves. Similar to The Simpsons, American Dad! was originally produced by Fox, before the company was purchased by The Walt Disney Company. The show is currently distributed by its parent-company, Disney.
Main cast and characters
Character Film series Television series The Love Bug Herbie Herbie Herbie The Love Bug Herbie: Herbie, the Love Bug Herbie colspan="7" Jim Douglas Dean Jones Dean Jones Dean Jones Dean Jones Tennessee Steinmetz Buddy Hackett Carole Bennet-Douglas Michele Lee Peter Thorndyke David Tomlinson Havershaw Joe Flynn Mrs. "Grandma" Steinmetz Helen Hayes Willoughby Whitfield Ken Berry Nicole Harris-Whitefield Stefanie Powers Alonzo Hawk Keenan Wynn Wheely Applegate Don Knotts Giselle Diane Darcy Julie Sommars Bruno Von Stickle Eric Braeden Claude Gilbert Mike Kulcsar Inspector Bouchet Jacques Marin Detective Fontenoy Xavier Saint-Macary Pete Stancheck Stephen W. Burns Davy "D.J." Johns Charles Martin Smith Paco Joaquin Garay III Melissa Trends Elyssa Davalos Aunt Louise Trends Cloris Leachman Prindle John Vernon Quinn Alex Rocco Shepard Richard Jaeckel Hank Cooper Bruce Campbell Roddy Martel Kevin J. O'Connor Alex Davis Alexandra Wentworth Horace Simon Moore III John Hannah Rupert Dana Gould Dr. Gustav Stumpfel Harold Gould Peter Spears Maggie Peyton Lindsay Lohan Ray Peyton, Sr. Michael Keaton Ray Peyton, Jr. Breckin Meyer Kevin Justin Long Trip Murphy Matt Dillon Crash Jimmi Simpson Susan MacLane-Douglas Patricia Harty Julie MacLane Claudia Wells Robbie MacLane Douglas Emerson Matthew MacLane Nicky Katt Bo Phillips Richard Paul Randy Bigelow Larry Linville
Additional crew and production details