THE LOVE BUG
US, 1968, 107 minutes, Colour.
David Tomlinson, Dean Jones, Michele Lee, Buddy Hackett, Joe Flynn, Benson Fong, Joe E. Ross.
Directed by Robert Stevenson.
The Love Bug was one of the most successful of the later Disney films. Directed by Robert Stevenson (many Disney films including Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks), the film has a great sense of adventure and fun. It has a surefire formula with its focus on cars and car-racing.
Dean Jones and Michele Lee are an attractive couple, David Tomlinson enjoys himself very much as the villain - who receives an oily come-uppance. Buddy Hackett and Joe Flynn have opportunities for comic relief.
However, the star of the film is the little car itself, nicknamed Herbie. The special effects for Herbie to have a personality of his own - endearing as well as having the ability to do magical style tricks - ensures that Herbie was one of the most popular of the Disney characters. He appeared in three sequels: Herbie Rides Again, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, Herbie Goes Bananas.
1. An enjoyable family comedy adventure? The enjoyment of Herbie as a personality as well as a car?
2. Colour photography, period, characters and their humour, cars. racing, special effects especially for Herbie and his driving, racing, flying, playing tricks? The jaunty musical score?
3. The focus on Herbie - small car, the little car in comparison with the big ones, the amiable small car? The dealings with the snobbish car dealer? The villainous driver Peter Thorndike? Tennessee as a scrap-metal sculptor, working on the car, giving him the nickname Herbie? The collaboration between Jim and Herbie? Herbie with a mind and heart of its own - attached towards Jim and his girlfriend Carole? Thorndike tampering with Herbie's fuel supply, the loss of the race? Jim wanting to replace Herbie? Herbie surviving even though battered and winning the race? Herbie taking Jim and Carole away on their honeymoon - where?
4. Jim Douglas as racing driver, pleasant hero, attracted towards Carole? Looking at the cars? The dealings with Thorndike? The buying of the small car, the nickname, his success with Herbie?, Collaborating with Herbie - but disappointed with his race loss? The possibility of replacement? Working with Carole as co-driver? The happy victory? Carole as a lively and attractive heroine? Peter Thorndike as the snarling but suave villain? In the best English tradition? His suave manner in selling the cars? His sinister behaviour in tampering with Herbie? Herbie defeating him?
5. Comedy touches with Buddy Hackett as Tennessee Steinmetz - a kind of human version of Herbie! Joe Flynn as Havershaw? Mr. Wu? The detective?
6. A film for the family with humour, adventure, the dream of winning and success, romance, friendships? The Disney Studios using these formula conventions in the best possible way?
