Those who worried that the Disney studio would collapse without the presence of the late Uncle Walt were put at ease when the profits starting rolling in for The Love Bug. The "star" is Herbie, a lovable little Volkswagen with a personality all its own. Abused by a bad guy race-car driver (David Tomlinson), Herbie is rescued by a good guy racer (Dean Jones). Out of gratitude, Herbie enables the luckless good guy to win one race after another. The real fun begins when the ruthless hot-rodder
connives to get Herbie back through fair means or foul. Based on a story by Gordon Buford, The Love Bug inspired two equally lucrative sequels, Herbie Rides Again and Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
For sheer inventiveness of situation and the charm that such an idea projects, The Love Bug rates as one of the better entries of the Disney organization.
Such a vulnerable movie that if it were a little less sappy, one might feel compelled to protect it, as if it were someone under 7 or over 65 -- that portion of the public for which it is intended.
The Boy-Car-Girl movie has some terrific driving stunts, thanks to a 127-man crew and the Porsche or bus engine given to the car with a mind of its own.
Herbie is cute and hilarious, the love bug is an example of a non human main character that doesn't need to speak out to be adorable. The slapstick and smart comedy in this film is hilarious and makes this film a great memorable example of a classic disney production made after Walt's death.
August 15, 2011
Michael Miller
Super Reviewer
An average, dull start to a somehow "classic" racing car series of Disney craps.
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