1 Disney's Greatest Live Action Film Ever Finally Comes To DVD
1969's "The Love Bug" is without a doubt the greatest live action movie of all time, and along with "Wayne's World", is my all - time favorite movie. The acting is superb, the directing is flawless and the sound effects are as good anything heard in today's films.
In this classic story, down - on - his - luck race car driver Jim Douglas (Dean Jones) is broke and living with his hippie mechanic friend Tennesse Steinmetz (Buddy Hackett, who is hilarious). While walking down the streets of San Francisco one day, he notices a "special pair of vehicles" at a car dealership, and walks in. There he meets the lovely and intelligent Carol Bennett (Michelle Lee), whom he is immediately smitten with. He also clashes with the owner of the store, Peter Thorndyke (David Tomlinson of "Mary Poppins" fame). Before he leaves, he comes across Herbie, a seemingly ordinary Volkswagon. The car follows him home one day, so Jim buys the car to avoid grand theft charges. Soon, Jim realizes the car has a mind of its own, but also realizes it has great speed. He eneters it in races and becomes a winner, angering fellow racer Thorndyke. What ensues is a hialrious series of events that are really too funny to describe in words.
"The Love Bug" stands as one of Disney's crowning achievements. Buy it today and watch it with your family. Also, be on the look out for the latest sequel, "Herbie: Fully Loaded", starring Lindsay Lohan (she so beautiful), Matt Damon and Michael Keaton and coming to a theater near you June 24th.
2 Far better than any of the sequels
This '69 film is loaded with story. THe actors are all splendid in their parts. The commentary is very good. Nothing more I can add.
3 Great For Kids
I remember loving this movie when I was ten years old back in 1970 in the theatre. I think my ten year old would love it just as much.
4 Disney almost got this DVD right
For the most part, this is one of Disney's few successes when it comes to releasing a movie on DVD. However, even with this DVD, there are some issues. The scene in Chinatown is strangely out of focus, while the rest of the movie appears just fine. Did the engineer fall asleep while he was doing the transfer, or just what happened?
In spite of that, I will say that this is one Disney DVD you are PROBABLY safe in buying. Maybe it came out before they started cutting corners so severely.
As for the overprotective parent who posted a review, worried that their poor little child will not understand adult temper tantrums or a car committing suicide, all I can say is that I pity your poor child.
5 Cute but should not be rated G
I recently rented this movie for my three year old son who loves cars. I did see this movie when I was going up (though I did not remember the exact details) but now that I have seen it as a parent, I have some concerns about it.
Though the moive is rated G, it has a few things about it that I don't find appropriate for young children.
The dialogue is riddled with words like "stupid" and "idiot,"-- words I prefer to keep out of my son's vocabulary, at least for now.
I also find the character, Mr. Thorndike, to have an anger management problem. In the majority of his scenes, he is yelling at the top of his lungs and calling his sidekick, Havershaw, a series of derogatory names-- definitely not a characteristic I want my son to emulate. Finally, while I appreciate the whole appeal of a car having human qualities, I find the scene where Herbie tries to commit suicide a bit much for a kid's movie. Having to explain what the car was doing was difficult.
Overall, though the movie has cute qualities, I wish that the attributes I mentioned were not included. Call me a protective parent but seems to me that today's kids are considered rude because they are exposed to media like this that are considered acceptable.
Sorry to the die-hard Herbie fans, but this movie is not all its cracked up to be.
6 my favorite disney movie
there is no disney movie that could top this one. the race scenes with cute music playing went excellent with this movie. the cross country race at the end of the movie was one of the best slapstick race scenes i ever saw. this is like smokey and the bandit type movie. A LOT OF FUN TO WATCH.
7 A real family classic!
Jim Douglas (played by Dean Jones) is a broken-down, has been racecar driver. But, when he finds himself saddled with an innocuous little Volkswagen Beetle, he suddenly finds that he can get a lot more out of it than anyone thought possible. Jim's kooky friend Tennessee Steinmetz (Buddy Hackett) keeps trying to tell him that this car is special, it has a heart and feelings, but Jim knows that a car is a car, is a car, right? And now that he is winning races, his chief competitor, Richard Thorndyke (David Tomlinson), is out to get that inexplicable little car! [Color, released in 1968, with a running time of 1:47.]
This is a fantastic movie, and a real family classic! I loved this movie as a kid, and couldn't wait to introduce my children to it. As expected, they loved it, especially the scenes where Herbie seemed to swallow Thorndyke and when he "oiled" on his leg! The DVD set is excellent, containing a nice Disney cartoon short, and lots of other neat extras. My family and I all love this DVD set, and highly recommend it to you!
8 One of the best classic Disney movies, now on DVD!!!!!
This is one of the best Disney movies of all time. Who doesn't love the idea of a Beetle that comes to life? This movie has quite a few real-life applications, which you'll just have to watch to find out. But, it still is a great story to see in action.
9 The Love Bug will get you if you don't watch out
This is one of the best of the Disney live action movies from the 60s. I love the part where they drag race against the hippies in the hot rod! Ok, it may be a bit dated, but it's good clean fun for the entire family. The DVD has a nice clean print that looks terrific. Plus, it has tons of extras. If you are a fan of this movie, the DVD is a must buy.
10 A True, True Classic!
This movie is one of Disney's best classics! If you have never seen it, you have missed out on all of Disney!!!! Right away, you fall in love with Herbie, the 'little car' that drove into our hearts!! Dean Jones, Michele Lee, and Buddy Hacket are great in this movie! Watch as Herbie, who has a mind of his own, wins races and makes everyone believe in the 'little car!' A must have for every Disney collection!
11 Herbie is back and he's brought a lot of extras!!
This was easily one of my favorite movies as a kid. I am now in my 20's and lets just say it still holds up the test of time quite well. I must have watched this movie so many times on tape that the tape got warn out at parts. When I found it was now on DVD and a special edition as well, lets just say I bought it right up and I coudln't have been happier with my purchase.
The story for those that don't know is of a little volkswagen named Herbie who comes into the posession of one Jim Douglas, a down on his luck race driver. The car though is no regular old car as he finds soon enough. It has a mind of it's own and is winning race after race and the two are building quite the strong bond. Along for the ride are his mechanic buddy named Tennessee who Buddy Hacket played perfectly and a once proper and sophisticated girl who falls for Jim along the way. The villan of this story is one Thorndyke who has been losing race after race to this car and wants nothing more then the complete destruction of Herbie. The story builds up to some great humourous moments and some heart felt ones and even some sad moments. The great climax includes a cross country race in which Jim and Throndyke are doing what ever they can to outwit the other. This is a movie that all in your family will love and want to watch over and over.
If the great movie itself wasn't enough, the great bonus features included in this DVD make the price even more the bargain. The best feature is probably the commentary that the three heroic stars (Dean Jones, Michele Lee and Buddy Hackett) do while the movie is going on. If that wasn't enough the whole second disk that comes with this is just full of bonus materials. Everything a Love Bug fan could dream of and more. Movie Trailers, cut scenes, info on all the other movies and shows that Herbie was in after Love Bug, info on the stars.. much much more.
I can't stress enough how much fun this movie is and the best is , it really doesn't matter what age you are. You could be 5 or 17 or 50 and you will find fun here. If anything it's great to see the type of things that went on in 1969 in some of the bonus materials . Even teh song that plays through the whole film will get stuck in your head as it's so catchy. If you want a great movie that truly stands the test of time, this is the one for you. And you too will fall in love with number 53 the second you lay your eyes on him.
12 I Love This 2 Disc Special Edition DVD SET of The Love Bug.
When this DVD was put out I bought a copy of it and I have watched it a dozen times Already. I really loved the specail features that they had on this DVD.
Here Is A Brief Description:
Jim Douglas (Dean Jones), is a down on luck race car Driver who finds Herbie at Thorndike Motors Owned By Peter Thorndike ( David Tomlinson). Well when Jim Finds the car. Herbie falls for him like a ton of bricks. The next day Jim finds Herbie Parked in front of the Firehouse that he and Tennesse Stienmetz (Buddy Hackett) live in. Well Jim buys the car from Mr. Thorndike and gains back his pride as he wins race after race. And falls in love with the Beautiful Carol (Michelle Lee).
Great Movie 5 Star Rating.
13 Wonderful classic movie!
Dean Jones is a classic himself! This is one of the classic Disney films in which you don't have to worry if they'll be anything you don't want your kids to see. These days Disney gets a little edgy with kid's movies. The Love Bug is so funny - the kids may not get all of the dry humor, but it is one to keep watching for a long time.
14 5 Stars for Susie !
I am a fan of the animated shorts Disney has started putting on their DVDs, though not on all of them. Personally, the cartoons are incentive for me to buy the DVD. I'd like to see Disney put the more obscure ones on their DVDs, such as the one included with The Love Bug. The cartoon is called "Susie - The Little Blue Coupe" and it is great! Fans of the children's author Bill Peet shouldn't miss this! He worked for Disney before embarking on his writing career and authored the story of Susie. Having The Love Bug in your collection is a must, but having Susie as well is an excellent bonus! They just don't make cartoons like this anymore and they should.
15 A Disney classic for all ages
The Love Bug Special Edition is a classic that all fans of Herbie need to have. Jim Douglas is a down on his luck race car driver when he meets Herbie, the Volkswagen bug who follows him home from a car dealership. Soon, Douglas is back on top after racing Herbie in several races. Problems arise when his sudden success goes to Douglas' head. The story of Herbie, the car with a mind of its own, is a great one for kids and adults. By the end of the movie, you will begin to see Herbie as a real human being if you already haven't by then. This is a great movie about friendship as well as a good story about race car driving.
Dean Jones is perfectly cast as Jim Douglas, the driver who shoots to the top with Herbie. At first he is also skeptical about the little car's ability, but even he begins to believe. Michelle Lee plays Carol Bennett, the love interest who in the beginning works for Douglas' rival, Peter Thorndyke. David Tomlinson is hysterical in this role as the driver obsessed with finding out what makes Herbie go. Buddy Hackett is also great as Tennessee Steinmetz, Jim's friend who has a trace of hippie in him. The Special Edition DVD is truly awesome and should not be missed. Disc One offers a widescreen presentation which still holds up pretty well and also audio commentary by some of the stars. Disc Two offers numerous special features including documentaries about Herbie's history, the making of the movie, Herbie mania, Herbie Day at Disneyland, information about two scenes that were never even filmed, and much, much more that all Herbie fans will love. I hope Disney keeps putting out these great DVD's of all their classic films. For fans of Herbie go out and buy this classic! You can't go wrong!
16 The Little Car That Could
Jim Douglas is a down on his luck race car driver. Trying to find a new car to race, he stops into Thorndyke's car dealership, only to be followed home by a VW bug. Soon named Herbie by his roommate Tennessee, Jim is surprised to find that he is once again winning when he drives the little car. But is it Jim's doing, or is Herbie really responsible? Meanwhile, Thorndyke has become obsessed with this car that continues to beat him at every race and will stop and nothing to get his hands on the car to find out its secret. The final showdown comes at the El Dorado, with Herbie's fate on the line. If Thorndyke throws everything he can at the little car, can Herbie still win the race and save the day?
I remember watching this movie years ago when I was a kid. It was loads of fun with lots of silly stuff to keep me entertained. Rewatching it as an adult, I found the same parts thrilled me. Guess I'm just a big kid after all. The movie is funny, but with a great heart. The cast give wonderful performances as well. The special effects, while showing their age at times, still often stand up to their modern day computer generated counterparts.
This DVD release of a classic is great. The first disc features the movie in widescreen format. While the picture does show its age at times, for the most part it's sharp. Also included is an audio commentary. Dean Jones and Buddy Hackett were in the studio together, while Michelle Lee recorded hers separately. Both are then placed together on one track. Michelle's is the better of the two, providing some interesting information about this movie and the process of making movies in general.
The second disc provides all kinds of information that any fan will love. There's a documentary on the making of this movie, including information on special effects and goofs. Also included are documentaries on Herbie mania and the sequels. Other highlights include the original trailer and information on a couple of deleted scenes. I learned a lot about this movie while going through this disc.
This is a movie that the entire family can truly enjoy together. Get it for your family today. It's sure to be a hit.
17 Herbie Lives!
One of my favorite Disney movies is now on DVD! This movie combines innocence and charm better than most live action Disney movies. The movie about the little car that could was an inspiration to me as a child and continues to inspire others today. It's a heart warming look at just what makes us succeed: perseverance; and it's taught in a way that appeals to kids and adults. Buy this movie or rent it. You'll be glad you did. I've got to get back to my own Herbie. You see, I still have my VeeDub after all these years.
18 i wish i could rate it more than 5 stars
this is definetly the best disney movie ever made. this movie has everything in it that you could ask for. i first saw this movie in the drive-in theatre when i was a kid. the stunts, and the music and that cross country race went perfect together. and now with the dvd version it has a second disc with so many extra features in it. you can not miss out on this one.
19 no other disney classic beats it
when i watch this movie i take it serious. i am so glad i bought this dvd. this movie is great for kids and adults. the music and stunts couldn't be any better then this. i saw this in the drive in theatre when i was a kid. i bought it on vhs, i bought it on laserdisc and now i have it on dvd. this is a true disney classic.
20 YESSS, IT'S FINALLY ON DVD!!
DISNEY'S BEST LIVE ACTION MOVIE. NO MATTER HOW OLD "THE LOVE BUG" GETS AS THE YEARS GO ON, IT WILL ALWAYS BE MY FAVORITE DISNEY MOVIE. THIS WAS THE FILM WHICH INTRODUCED ME TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY, WHEN I FIRST SAW IT BACK IN 1986. DISNEY MOVIES OF TODAY LACK THE SPARKLE AND MAGIC WHICH VINTAGE DISNEY FILMS WILL ALWAYS HAVE. "THE LOVE BUG" IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF VINTAGE DISNEY AT IT'S BEST.
21 A fine DVD release of a Disney live-action classic
It's always a pleasure to buy Disney DVD's in their Original Theatrical Ratios, plus there are extra features to spare in this release of "The Love Bug." An excellent release, like all the titles from last year's "Vault Disney" series. Only wish that other favorites -- like The Moon-Spinners and Snowball Express -- had been released in this format.
22 Best. Movie. Ever.
Wow, this movie is so good! I have been watching this series form when i was just a little grasshopper. I've seen it so many times and it never gets old. The acting is great, the comedy is fun, the racing is awesome, the whole movie rocks. I so recommend this to you if you have kids, and then watch it with them and you will end up liking it to (if not more) and even if you dont have kids.....GET IT!!!, it is so good and you wont regret it!
23 Could it possibly be???????????
Is it possible that the House of Mouse Empire has seen the light by releasing this wonderful family film in its OAR? Maybe Michael Eisner finally read a few reviews by the intelligent customers of AMAZON.COM concerning widescreen releases. By the way, the Disney site claims the OAR to be 1.75:1. I truly look forward to procuring this treasure on DVD on its release date. Too bad Snowball Express didn't make the same cut by this could be a good sign.
24 Best of the series
What if things really do have an inner life? What if the machines we take for granted as being under our control have an essence, a life force, a soul that needs only to be cultivated to be brought out into the open?
Mystic-minded hippie-type Tennessee Steinmetz (Buddy Hackett) argues that this is the case when his roommate, down-on-his-luck race driver Jim Douglas (Dean Jones) acquires a Volkswagen Beetle that frequently refuses to comply with its driver's demands. Tennessee claims that the car is alive, and names it Herbie. Jim doesn't believe this for a second, but that doesn't stop him from using the car's unusual speed to bring success to his previously undistinguished racing career. Meanwhile, Peter Thorndyke (David Tomlinson), the snobbish and hot-tempered owner of the dealership where Douglas bought the car, is having fits over Douglas' inexplicable winning streak. A race driver himself, Thorndyke becomes Jim's (and Herbie's) primary rival, resorting to increasingly sneaky tactics to prevail on the racetrack. Jim believes his own driving skill deserves the credit for his newfound success, but finally comes to believe the truth about Herbie in time for the final climactic race.
By far the funniest and best of Disney's Herbie series, The Love Bug is silly fun that's still smartly written enough to be fun for all ages. The special effects are somewhat dated and primitive, but they suffice. It's not easy to make a car show emotion, but here it's done with surprising effectiveness. It also doesn't hurt that as a car, the VW Bug has a lot of personality to start with. The human actors do well too; Dean Jones makes for a likeable hero, and Michele Lee the love interest. However, the real comic gold comes from Buddy Hackett as the offbeat Tennessee, who in Jim's words is `just in off a flying saucer,' and David Tomlinson as British rival Thorndyke, whose angry outbursts are deliciously over-the-top without crossing the fine line into obnoxious overacting.
25 HERBIE'S BACK & GROOVIER THAN EVER!
I've been a fan of Herbie, the Love Bug since 1984 and the dream of having the original classic put on DVD has finally become a reality! Loaded with features only The Disney Company could create!
Audio Commentary With Dean Jones, Michele Lee, And Buddy Hackett
Cartoon: "Susie -- The Little Blue Coupe"
That Lovable Bug
The Many Lives Of Herbie
Herbie Mania
Lost Treasures: Searching For Herbie
1969 Disney Studio Album
Production Gallery
Behind-The-Scenes Promo
Love Bug Day At Disneyland
The Man Who Gave Herbie His Voice
Deleted Scenes: "Used Car Lot" & "Playground"
Theatrical Trailer
DVD Credits
Radio Spots
Sound Studio 1: "Herbie On The Rocks"
Sound Studio 2: "Thorndyke And The Bear"
Production Stills: Production Photos, Concept Art, Storyboards
Comic Book
Biographies: Dean Jones, Michele Lee, Buddy Hackett, David Tomlinson, Robert Stevenson
Advertising: Publicity, Posters, Merchandise, Press Book
Documents
Screenplay Excerpt: "Herbie Goes Over The Edge"
1.75:1 Aspect Ratio
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
With THX remastering as well! Fasten your seatbelts because on May 20, the BUG is coming Back!
26 the best film walt disney ever made
when the hell are they gonna put this one on dvd. out of all movies i thought for sure that this one would of been one of the first ones on dvd. this movie wasn't good it was FANTASTIC. i saw this movie in the drive in when i was ten years old and loved it ever since. i bought it on vhs and laserdisc and now i wan't it on DVD.
27 one of the best comedy stunt films ever made
this is my favorite disney film. if you liked smokey and the bandit you will like this one. what i like best about it is the cross country race at the end of the movie. the music and the stunts fit fantastic. i am waiting for the dvd to come out. this movie is not just for kids. this movie is for everybody. like i said before. the music goes great with the stunts of this film.thank you.
28 Great movie, but I think they should put it on a DVD
Hey, remember me from the Beauty and the Beast review?
Well, this time, I am talking about Disney's 1969 classic, The Love Bug. It is a great movie, with Herbie, the self-racing Beetle. In this movie, two men who love racing buy the car and race it in many tracks. This is what makes the movie so exciting.
Here's something more exciting: that I think, after many years on last-century videotape, Disney should put this movie on a shiny disc. (or a DVD, whichever you prefer.)
Here are some reasons why: First of all, for those of you who have an older video collection or a rental store nearby, there is a version of The Love Bug on a 15 or 20 year old tape (with neon effects of Mickey at the beginning, probably from the early days of VCRs), and second, many Disney classics are already being put onto DVD (like The Parent Trap, Mary Poppins, Snow White, and Beauty and the Beast).
The DVD should have the movie itself (full and wide screen), digitally remastered, THX certified, the original trailer, maybe a documentary or two, foreign language audio and subtitles, and a Herbie Racing game (using the menu arrow buttons as the steering wheel and the enter button, or OK, or set, depends on what DVD player you're using.) And, they should issue the DVD in 2004, for when Disney can call it a "Walt Disney 35th Anniversary Collector's Edition" to make it a big seller.
Only one question: Will it change the way Love Bug fans watch this movie forever? You'll find out when the DVD comes out later!
29 Herbie Saves The Day!
What an enjoyable family movie! I first saw "Herbie" the Love Bug when I was 10, and many times since then. Kids and grown-ups alike can enjoy this colorful Disney Classic. What a concept: A Volkswagen Beetle with heart & soul and the power necessary to thwart bad guys. Movies don't get any better than this when it comes to pleasing ANY audience. Dean Jones and Michele Lee are wonderful as "Herbie's co-stars". You just can't go wrong with this one!
30 The best film of the series.........
This 1969 hit introduces the world to Herbie, the living VW. He "runs in" to down-on-his-luck race driver Jim Douglas (Dean Jones) and the story begins. Jim's friend Tennessee (Buddy Hackett) suggests that he race Herbie in a local dirt track race. Herbie of course wins and starts a winning streak. But look out as Thorndike enters the plot. He will give anything to get rid of the VW and tries to on numerous occations. The big road race at the end called The Eldorado is the best part of the movie. Sadly, this film was followed by a sappy sequal, but in 1977, Dean Jones and Don Knots returned to make the hilarious film, Herbie goes to Monte Carlo. The Love Bug was my favorite movie as a kid and I still enjoy it.....
