Herbie (franchise)

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.[15]

By not letting him buy her house, Mrs. "Grandma" Steinmetz foils the plans of Alonzo Hawk, a property developer who wants to build a shopping mall in downtown San Francisco. Hawk plots to force her out. While helping his uncle Alonzo, Willoughby Whitfield discovers a special Volkswagen Beetle and falls for Nicole, Mrs. Steinmetz's niece. After they discover Alonzo's plans, it's up to Mrs. Steinmetz and the extraordinary Beetle to save the day.[16]

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.[17]

Peter is excited when he learns he's inherited a car from his uncle. His enthusiasm wanes when he and his friend D.J., travel to Puerta Vallarta and discover the car is a rusty old Volkswagen Beetle. They quickly realize their car has extraordinary abilities and set off on a road trip across Central America to enter the special Beetle in a high-stakes race, encountering pickpockets, counterfeiters and various obstacles along the way.[18]

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, however reveal it is a direct sequel to the previous films.[19]

Herbie, inimitable VW Beetle is losing all his races and destined for the scrap heap, until mechanic Hank takes him over and gives him a new lease of life. Soon, the little car is winning again, to the fury of his previous owner who builds a menacing black bug to challenge Herbie to the ultimate race.[20]

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.[21]

All-New Adventures of 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.[22] The series was released as a mid-season replacement to a cancelled show, and was given the 8:00 P.M. times lot. 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.[23]

Episodes

Premise

Jim Douglas and his living vehicle named Herbie own and run a driving school. 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, now divorced from Carole, begins a relationship with a similarly divorced woman 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.[19]

The All-New Mickey Mouse Club (1989–1994)

• 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".[24]
• One of the Disney Parade car versions of Herbie the Love Bug, also briefly appears in the comedy skit titled, "Clown College". The character is redesigned as a clown car for the routine.[25]

• Herbie briefly appears in Disney's House of Mouse. During season 2 episode 5, 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.[26] 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.[27]
• 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.[28]

Herbie appears in Disneyland's 50th Anniversary television commercial, where he helps Mickey Mouse and Goofy as transportation to get to Disneyland.[66]