Search - Herbie Rides Again/Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 6/6/2023...

A classic, fun for the whole family!

Two classic movies with Herbie!

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 08/12/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Two classic Disney comedies for a sweet price!

Bundled together in this set are two of Disney's beloved "Love Bug" comedies. Herbie, the super-smart VW beetle was first introduced in Disney's "The Love Bug" in 1968. The film became a surprise box-office smash all over the world and delighted audiences with it's unique charm and spirit. The studio later readied their 'star car' for the first of several sequels - HERBIE RIDES AGAIN.

In HERBIE RIDES AGAIN (1974), we pick up the story several years after the events of "The Love Bug". Tennessee Steinmetz has left Herbie in the care of his grandmother (Helen Hayes) in San Francisco, a feisty old lady who lives in the same rambling old firehouse with lodger Nicole (Stefanie Powers). But Mrs Steinmetz looks set to lose her beloved home thanks to greedy property developer Alonzo Hawk (Keenan Wynn), so Herbie and Alonzo's meek nephew Willoughby (Ken Berry) must race to the rescue!

The character of Alonzo Hawk had originally appeared in "The Absent-Minded Professor", and it was a stroke of genius to have him cross over into the Herbie franchise. Originally, Walter Brennan was to have starred (as a male version of the Helen Hayes character) but was seriously ill at the time. Stefanie Powers and Ken Berry make a cute couple, and the film makes good use of the streets and bays of San Francisco.

Dean Jones makes his long-overdue return as Jim Douglas in HERBIE GOES TO MONTE CARLO (1977). Throwing continuity to the wind, Jim (now strangely single again--there is no mention of the Michele Lee character!) and his new co-driver Wheely Applegate (Don Knotts) take Herbie to compete in the prestigious Monte Carlo race--complicated by bumbling jewel thieves who hide a precious gem in Herbie's gas tank and a sleek blue Lancier who sets Herbie's heart all a-flutter.

Julie Sommars co-stars as Jim's new love interest, with Bernard Fox, Roy Kinnear, Jacques Marin and a pre-"Young and the Restless" Eric Braeden."