The Love Bug

1968

1h 48m

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

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2 Videos

69 Images

Comedy

Family

Fantasy

Down-on-his-luck race car driver Jim Douglas teams up with a little VW Bug that has a mind of its own, not realizing Herbie's worth until a sneaky rival plots to steal him.

Directors

Robert Stevenson

Writers

Don DaGradi(screenplay by)

Bill Walsh(screenplay by)

Stars

Dean Jones

Michele Lee

David Tomlinson

See production, box office & company info

Videos2

Trailer
Watch The Love Bug | Unofficial Official Trailer | Disney+
Trailer
Watch The Love Bug (1968) Disney Home Video Australia Trailer

Top cast

Jim Douglas

Carole Bennett

Peter Thorndyke

Tennessee Steinmetz

Havershaw

Mr. Wu

Association President

Detective

Carhop

Toll Booth Attendant

Bice

Policeman at Park

Police Sgt.

Girl In Dune Buggy

Announcer

Flabbergasted Driver

Boy in Dune Buggy

Directors

Writers

Don DaGradi(screenplay by)

Bill Walsh(screenplay by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

David Tomlinson was always pretty reliable as the go-to comic English gent, and he delivers quite well here as the supercilious car dealer "Thorndyke". He only deals in the luxury end of the market, so "Jim" (Dean Jones) is a bit surprised to find a dilapidated old VW Beetle in his yard. There's something very special about this little car, and soon the down-on-his-luck driver and his mate "Tennessee" (Buddy Hackett) have bought him, repaired him and named him "Herbie". Magically, his racing fortunes take an about turn and pretty soon his erstwhile owner is after him back - and is prepared to go to just about any lengths as they prepare to compete in one trans-American race and - to the victor the spoils and the the scrapyard with "Herbie" if he doesn't win. It's interesting that this was released one year after "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" (1968) - so clearly the theme of magical cars was popular. "Herbie" is mischievous and not averse too the odd tantrum which gives him just enough of a personality, coupled with an on form Jones - to create an enjoyable tale of friendship and inter-reliance as well as one of fast-paced antics and even the slightest hint of romance as we tumble down mountains, slide in and out of mud and generally have our own sort of "Whacky Race". It's a bit over-scripted and probably twenty minutes too long - I think we all get the gist and could be getting on with the action a bit more quickly, but it's still a decent watch that reminds us of what was hugely popular in the late sixties.

Geronimo196727 Dec, 2023