The Love Bug

Name: The Love Bug
Genre: Sport, Comedy, Family
Released: March 13, 1969
Duration: 108 min
Rating: 48
Cast: Andy Granatelli, Barry Kelley, Benson Fong, Buddy Hackett, David Tomlinson

1969

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	Your Score
6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Buena Vista Distribution Company | Release Date: March 13, 1969 | G

Starring: Andy Granatelli, Barry Kelley, Benson Fong, Buddy Hackett, David Tomlinson, Dean Jones, Iris Adrian, Joe E. Ross, Joe Flynn, Michele Lee

Summary: A race car driver becomes a champion with a Volkswagen Beetle (Herbie) with a mind of its own.

Director: Robert Stevenson

Genre(s): Sport, Comedy, Family

Rating: G

Runtime: 108 min

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Critic Reviews

Staff (Not Credited)

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. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

The entire cast give standout performances, but Herbie steals the show in this well-directed, funny picture. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Herbie and his plucky stunt drivers steal the show in this agreeable family entertainment. Read full review

Vincent Canby

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. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

The outcome of all this is about as predictable as the benumbing succession of autopomorphic gags. Connoisseurs of camp may enjoy watching Tomlinson ranting at the Volkswagen, but The Love Bug is surely the first film in which the actors (Jones, Michele Lee, Buddy Hackett) are so meticulously insipid that a car can handily steal the show. Read full review

Dave Kehr

What this autopopathism means in terms of American culture is a subject I neither understand nor wish to. Read full review

Empire Ian Nathan

The first of the silly VW Beetle with a cute personality comedies, is as childish dated and occasionally sweet as the others. Read full review

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User Reviews

Kai82

Sep 3, 2021

This is one of my favorite childhood movies. It has hearth, charm, humor and nostalgic value. I think I never used the phrase “They do not make movie like this anymore” on my Metacritic reviews but it is fitting here. It is a Walt Disney comedy film and the first movie starting Herbie.This is one of my favorite childhood movies. It has hearth, charm, humor and nostalgic value. I think I never used the phrase “They do not make movie like this anymore” on my Metacritic reviews but it is fitting here. It is a Walt Disney comedy film and the first movie starting Herbie. Herbie is a Volkswagen Beetle with the number 53 and a racing car too. His secret is that he is alive and has a mind and personality. I think it is a modern fairy tale an as much for children as for adults as my parents did also enjoy the movies. The story starts with the unsuccessful and out of luck race driver Jim Douglas searching for a new car. At a car shop he defends a Volkswagen Beetle from verbal abuse by the shop owner and is surprised when the car seems following him home. He buys the car and this is the beginning of a great story as the two are a match made in (racing) heaven. The story is hugely entertaining, immersive and enjoyable. It manages to have a lot of good humor and also handle a bit of serious issues on the way without one harming the others. I repeat that it is a Disney fairy tale and one of its best of its time. Alone the humor and characters are enough to convince many people. It is no wonder that it started a successful franchise and many people still recognize the beetle with the 53 ;-). Another part of the charm is the cast. Everyone works perfect in this regard. Lets start with the star of the movie. Of cause I am speaking of Herbie (Who else ;-). They manged to give him character and charm without aid of a human face, mimic or other human expressions. This alone is magnificent and won me easily over as child and still works as adult. I will not deny that I am heavily influenced by childhood nostalgia but think it is still great. For the human actors we have Dean Jones as Jim Douglas. He works great and always delivered his role. Then the hidden star of the movie is Buddy Hackett as Tennessee Steinmetz. He is so great in everything be it comic relief, a maser mechanic and a wise men who learned a lot in life. David Tomlinson is such a great antagonist. He is still high up in my love to hate category. His acting skills were amazing in all his roles and I consider him a legend that is far to less acknowledged. Then there is Michele Lee as Carole Bennet. She too is far to less acknowledged and delivers an awesome performance. Special praise for Benson Fong who has less screen time but impressed me really well. In total we have a great cast that fully delivers and enhance the movie. Overall this movie has a great story delivered by a fitting cast that does an amazing performance for its genre. The humor and charm rounds this up. It was one of my childhood favorites and I rewatched it countless times. It is a classic of its time and I fully recommend it for the inner child.… Expand

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