# Herbie (franchise)

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. The third film was met with mixed reception, while the fourth film was poorly received 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 | December 24, 1968 | Robert Stevenson | Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi | Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi | Bill Walsh |
| Herbie Rides Again | June 6, 1974 (1974-06-06) | Robert Stevenson | Bill Walsh | Bill Walsh | | Bill Walsh |
| Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo | June 24, 1977 (1977-06-24) | Vincent McEveety | Arthur Alsberg & Don Nelson | Arthur Alsberg & Don Nelson | Ron Miller |
| Herbie Goes Bananas | June 25, 1980 (1980-06-25) | Vincent McEveety | Don Tait | Don Tait | | Ron Miller |
| Disney's The Love Bug | November 30, 1997 (1997-11-30) | Peyton Reed | Ryan Rowe | Ryan Rowe | Joan Van Horn and Irwin Marcus |
| Herbie: Fully Loaded | June 22, 2005 (2005-6-22) | 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 (1969)

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.

### Disney's 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.

         ##### Episodes

| Nº | Title | U.S. airdate | Director | Written by | Producers |
| 1 | "Herbie the Matchmaker" | March 17, 1982 (1982-3-17) | Charles S. Dubin | Arthur Alsberg & Don Nelson | William Robert Yates and Kevin Corcoran |
| 2 | "Herbie to the Rescue" | March 24, 1982 (1982-03-24) | Vincent McEveety | Arthur Alsberg & Don Nelson | William Robert Yates and Kevin Corcoran |
| 3 | "My House is Your House" | March 31, 1982 (1982-03-31) | Bill Bixby | Don Tait | William Robert Yates and Kevin Corcoran |
| 4 | "Herbie, the Best Man" | April 7, 1982 (1982-04-07) | Vincent McEveety | Arthur Alsberg & Don Nelson | William Robert Yates and Kevin Corcoran |
| 5 | "Calling Dr. Herbie" | April 14, 1982 (1982-04-14) | Bill Bixby | Arthur Alsberg & Don Nelson | William Robert Yates and Kevin Corcoran |
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

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in franchise.
* An empty grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
* $^Y$ indicates a younger version of the character.
| Character | Film series | Film series | Film series | Film series | Film series | Film series | Television series |
| Character | The Love Bug | Herbie Rides Again | Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo | Herbie Goes Bananas | Disney's The Love Bug | Herbie: Fully Loaded | Herbie, the Love Bug |
| Herbie | Appeared | Appeared | Appeared | Appeared | Appeared | Appeared | Appeared |
| 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 | | | Appeared | | | Flashback | |
| 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 | | | | | Appeared | | |
| Simon Moore III | | | | | John Hannah | | |
| Rupert | | | | | Dana Gould | | |
| Dr. Gustav Stumpfel | | | | | Harold Gould | | |
| Dr. Gustav Stumpfel | | | | | 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

| Film | Crew/Detail | Crew/Detail | Crew/Detail | Crew/Detail | Crew/Detail | Crew/Detail |
| Film | Composer(s) | Cinematographer(s) | Editor(s) | Production companies | Distributing company | Running time |
| The Love Bug | George Bruns | Edward Colman | Cotton Warburton | Walt Disney Productions | Buena Vista Distribution | 1hr 48mins |
| Herbie Rides Again | George Bruns | Frank Phillips | Cotton Warburton | Walt Disney Productions | Buena Vista Distribution | 1hr 28mins |
| Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo | Frank De Vol | Frank Phillips | Cotton Warburton | Walt Disney Productions | Buena Vista Distribution | 1hr 44mins |
| Herbie Goes Bananas | Frank De Vol | Gordon D. Brenner | Leonard J. South | Walt Disney Productions | Buena Vista Distribution | 1hr 38mins |
| Herbie, the Love Bug | Frank De Vol & Tom Worrall | Jack A. Whitman Jr. & Jack Swain | Gordon Brenner, Marsh Hendry & Ron Honthaner | Walt Disney Productions | Buena Vista Television, Columbia Broadcasting System | 2hrs 40mins |
| Disney's The Love Bug | Shirley Walker | Russ Alsobrook | Chip Masamitsu | Walt Disney Television | Disney–ABC Domestic Television | 1hr 28mins |
| Herbie: Fully Loaded | Mark Mothersbaugh | Greg Gardiner | Wendy Greene Bricmont | Walt Disney Pictures, Robert Simonds Productions | Buena Vista Pictures | 1hr 41mins |

## Reception
### Box office performance

| Film | Box office gross | Box office gross | Box office gross | Box office gross | Box office ranking | Box office ranking | Ref. |
| Film | North America | Other territories | Worldwide | Adjusted for inflation | All-time North America | All-time worldwide | Ref. |
| The Love Bug | $51,264,000 | Information unavailable | $51,264,000 | $439,558,563 | #1,733 | #2,757 | |
| Herbie Rides Again | $38,229,000 | Information unavailable | $38,229,000 | $243,742,119 | #2,689 | #3,778 | |
| Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo | $29,000,000 | Information unavailable | $29,000,000 | $148,748,039 | #2,944 | #4,092 | |
| Herbie Goes Bananas | $18,000,000 | Information unavailable | $18,000,000 | $68,334,648 | #4,004 | #5,426 | |
| Herbie: Fully Loaded | $66,023,816 | $78,123,000 | $144,146,816 | $232,074,163 | #1,263 | #1,225 | |
| Totals | $201,516,816 | $78,123,000 | $279,639,816 | $1,132,457,533 | | | |

### Critical response

| Film | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic |
| The Love Bug | 76% (17 reviews) | 48/100 (7 reviews) |
| Herbie Rides Again | 80% (5 reviews) | 49/100 (5 reviews) |
| Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo | 60% (10 reviews) | 38/100 (4 reviews) |
| Herbie Goes Bananas | 40% (5 reviews) | 55/100 (4 reviews) |
| Herbie, the Love Bug | — | — (0 reviews) |
| Disney's The Love Bug | — (2 reviews) | — |
| Herbie: Fully Loaded | 40% (144 reviews) | 47/100 (31 reviews) |
Audience survey company CinemaScore polled opening weekend audiences for Herbie: Fully Loaded and they gave the film a grade "A" on scale of A to F. The other films in the series were not polled upon their release by CinemaScore.