The Love Bug

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The Love Bug

G

1968

1h 47m

Kids & Family

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

18 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Race car driver Jim Douglas (Dean Jones) and his philosophical mechanic, Tennessee Steinmetz (Buddy Hackett), find themselves in possession of a white Volkswagen Beetle that seems to have a mind and spirit of its own. Calling the car Herbie, Jim and Tennessee become the talk of the California racing circuit -- much to the displeasure of sports-car dealer Peter Thorndyke (David Tomlinson), who tries to use his assistant (Michele Lee) to come between the friends and their car.

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Ben Kern

Minneapolis Star Tribune

03/02/2022

After straining to appreciate films of loftier ambitions, I found it relaxing and enjoyable to watch one that is eager to entertain, is better than a green hand at its business, and demands nothing more of the viewer than a modicum of goodwill.

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TIME Magazine

03/09/2009

The Love Bug is surely the first film in which the actors...are so meticulously insipid that a car can handily steal the show.

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Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

05/05/2008

2/5

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

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David Parkinson

Radio Times

11/12/2019

4/5

Having shown a flair for fantasy with the evergreen Mary Poppins, director Robert Stevenson here demonstrates a sure slapstick touch.

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Polly M. Robertus

Common Sense Media

01/02/2011

4/5

Kids will fall in love with this spunky Bug.

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TV Guide

05/05/2008

3/4

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

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Russell H

Aug 1

Entertaining characters and practical effects

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 20

Funny in 1 hour and 47 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring the late star of "Mary Poppins," David Tomlinson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Nick S

10/15/2024

I'm definitely partial but this movie reminds me of my childhood and hanging out with my cousins at my grandparents place.

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Max H

09/10/2024

Great campy sports comedy from Disney. Video review on YouTube: The Love Bug (1969) Movie Review https://youtu.be/XjYsmllfyfI

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david

04/22/2024

Number one kids movie in 1969 Sausage Party number one kids movie in 2016

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Eye C

@ECinc 11/05/2023

I recall this one from my childhood, and I still like it. A cute movie.

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Robert Stevenson

Director

Dean Jones

Jim Douglas

Michele Lee

Carole Bennett

David Tomlinson

Peter Thorndyke

Buddy Hackett

Tennessee Steinmetz

Joe Flynn

Havershaw

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Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo

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Son of Flubber

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Synopsis

Race car driver Jim Douglas (Dean Jones) and his philosophical mechanic, Tennessee Steinmetz (Buddy Hackett), find themselves in possession of a white Volkswagen Beetle that seems to have a mind and spirit of its own. Calling the car Herbie, Jim and Tennessee become the talk of the California racing circuit -- much to the displeasure of sports-car dealer Peter Thorndyke (David Tomlinson), who tries to use his assistant (Michele Lee) to come between the friends and their car.

Director: Robert Stevenson
Producer: Bill Walsh
Screenwriter: Bill Walsh, Don DaGradi
Production Co: Walt Disney Productions
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 24, 1968, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Runtime: 1h 47m

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