Herbie Rides Again Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A sassy sentient VW Bug helps an elderly woman save her Victorian house from a greedy developer who apparently never learned about eminent domain, all while engaging in vehicular slapstick.

🍿 Herbie Rides Again: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Alonzo Hawk’s Grand Plan and Mrs. Steinmetz’s Resistance

Mean-spirited property developer Alonzo Hawk, known for his ambitious projects, sets his sights on constructing the massive 130-story Hawk Plaza. His grand scheme, however, hits a snag: an archaic 1892 firehouse, owned by the elderly widow Mrs. Steinmetz, stands directly in the way. Hawk’s construction efforts are costing him a staggering $80,000 a day, making the firehouse a costly obstacle.

Herbie’s New Home and Unexpected Allies

Mrs. Steinmetz lives in the firehouse with her neighbor Nicole Harris, a flight attendant, and a collection of sentient machines including Herbie the Love Bug, an Orchestrion, and a retired cable car named ‘Old No. 22.’ Herbie was left in Mrs. Steinmetz’s care after his previous owner, Jim Douglas, went to Europe, and mechanic Tennessee Steinmetz departed for Tibet. Determined to remove Mrs. Steinmetz, Hawk dispatches his seemingly innocent nephew, Willoughby Whitfield, hoping his charm will succeed where intimidation failed. However, Willoughby’s initial interactions with Mrs. Steinmetz and Nicole quickly begin to shift his perspective.

Herbie’s High-Flying Escapades

As Willoughby starts to question his uncle’s motives, Herbie showcases his extraordinary abilities, often with comedic results. From causing traffic chaos to an improbable ride along the Golden Gate Bridge cables, Herbie consistently outsmarts Hawk’s attempts to capture him. Mrs. Steinmetz, often oblivious to Herbie’s daring feats, remains steadfast in her refusal to sell.

Reclaiming What Was Lost

Hawk escalates his tactics by having Mrs. Steinmetz’s belongings stolen from the firehouse. With Herbie’s help, Mrs. Steinmetz, Willoughby, and Nicole track the stolen items to Hawk’s warehouse. They manage to retrieve the furniture using ‘Old No. 22,’ narrowly escaping Hawk’s security guards thanks to Herbie’s quick thinking in blocking their path.

A Soapy Confrontation

Mrs. Steinmetz, accompanied by Herbie and a reluctant Willoughby, takes matters into her own hands by confronting Hawk in his skyscraper office. Using the building’s window-cleaning machine, Herbie manages to fill Hawk’s office with soap and water, leading to a comical chase scene where Herbie pursues the bewildered developer onto a narrow building ledge, much to Hawk’s terror.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Herbie (Herbie): The sentient Volkswagen Beetle who helps Mrs. Steinmetz defend her beloved firehouse from a ruthless property developer.
• Mrs. Steinmetz (Helen Hayes): A spirited elderly widow who staunchly refuses to sell her historic firehouse to a corrupt developer, relying on Herbie’s help.
• Alonzo Hawk (Keenan Wynn): A mean-spirited and ruthless property developer determined to acquire Mrs. Steinmetz’s firehouse for his gigantic shopping mall.
• Willoughby Whitfield (Ken Berry): Alonzo Hawk’s initially naive lawyer nephew who eventually sides with Mrs. Steinmetz and Nicole against his uncle’s schemes.
• Nicole Harris (Stefanie Powers): Mrs. Steinmetz’s feisty neighbor and flight attendant who actively aids in the defense of the firehouse and forms a romantic bond with Willoughby.
• Mr. Judson (John McIntire): An amiable old-timer who forms a charming connection with Mrs. Steinmetz, reminding her of her late husband.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Alonzo Hawk: “Of course I don’t have a permit! I don’t even own the land yet!” – Yelled in frustration at his new lawyers when they question his aggressive plan to demolish Mrs. Steinmetz’s firehouse without proper authorization.
• Mrs. Steinmetz: “Herbie has a mind of his own.” – A recurring sentiment expressed by Mrs. Steinmetz, highlighting Herbie’s independent and often mischievous personality.
• Alonzo Hawk: “I hate that car! I hate that car!” – An outburst of pure rage and frustration from Alonzo Hawk as Herbie continuously thwarts his elaborate schemes.
• Willoughby Whitfield: “You hit me with a lobster!” – Exclaimed in shock and disbelief after Nicole strikes him with a boiled lobster at Fisherman’s Wharf, a pivotal moment of confrontation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5.5 million
• Domestic Gross: $38,229,000
• Worldwide Gross: $38,229,000

💥 Herbie Rides Again Reviews

Personal Review

Oh, Herbie! Watching ‘Herbie Rides Again’ always brings a huge smile to my face. I mean, who doesn’t love a car with personality? The way Herbie just zips around, doing all these impossible stunts to defend Mrs. Steinmetz’s house – it’s pure, unadulterated joy. There’s a scene where he’s like, ‘driving’ himself around on two wheels, totally messing with the bad guys, and it’s just laugh-out-loud funny. It reminds me of being a kid, just completely lost in the magic of it all. It’s not deep cinema, but it’s got heart, humor, and a whole lot of nostalgic charm.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families with young children”
  • “Fans of classic Disney live-action comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy lighthearted fantasy and slapstick humor”
  • “Fans of the Herbie franchise and sentient vehicle stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild slapstick violence and cartoonish chases (e.g., character hit with lobster, Herbie chasing antagonist)”
  • “Scenes of peril (car chases, character on skyscraper ledge, though played for comedy)”
  • “Implied alcohol consumption (side character)”
  • “May contain elements considered mildly scary for very young children (e.g., a ‘werewolf Herbie’ dream sequence)”

Professional Reviews

• FilmBuff Central: “Herbie Rides Again delivers exactly what fans expect: charming, family-friendly fun with a lovable Beetle at its core. While the plot is undeniably simple, the film’s humor and wholesome spirit make it an enjoyable romp for all ages. It’s pure escapism, a delightful piece of nostalgic filmmaking that still holds a certain whimsical appeal.
• The Daily Screen: “Disney’s Herbie Rides Again might not break new ground, but its lighthearted approach and the undeniable charisma of its four-wheeled star carry it through. Helen Hayes is a joy as Mrs. Steinmetz, providing a warm anchor to Herbie’s antics. It’s a pleasant, undemanding watch, perfect for a cozy family movie night.

Audience Reactions

Herbie’s ingenious ways of foiling the bad guys, especially the construction scenes.: Audiences consistently praise the film for its enduring charm, Herbie’s unique personality, and the feel-good, wholesome entertainment it provides for families.

The chemistry between Herbie and Helen Hayes’ character, which is just adorable.: Many viewers fondly recall the movie from their childhoods, noting its ability to evoke nostalgia and its simple, yet effective, humor.

Overall Consensus: A beloved family classic, Herbie Rides Again is widely praised for its charming protagonist, wholesome humor, and nostalgic appeal, offering simple, enjoyable entertainment.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Disney collaborated closely with Volkswagen for the movie’s promotion. VW dealerships displayed Herbie-themed Bugs, and 300,000 posters were distributed. Customers could even purchase a graphics kit to transform their own Beetles into Herbie.”
• “Despite being the same ‘character,’ the specific model year of Volkswagen used for Herbie visibly changes throughout the film, most noticeably in the size of the side rear windows, shifting between 1963 and 1966 models.”
• “Keenan Wynn reprised his role as the villain Alonzo Hawk from earlier Disney films, ‘The Absent-Minded Professor’ (1961) and ‘Son of Flubber’ (1963), making him one of the few characters to span multiple distinct Disney live-action film series.”
• “The film made extensive use of blue screen and rear projection techniques for Herbie’s fantastical stunts, which were state-of-the-art for the time but are now characteristic of 1970s filmmaking.”

🖥️ How to Watch Herbie Rides Again?

As a beloved Disney classic, ‘Herbie Rides Again’ is widely available for digital purchase or rental. You can typically find it on popular platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube. For physical media collectors, DVD and Blu-ray versions are also available through online retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Herbie Rides Again, you might like these similar films:

• The Love Bug (1968): The pioneering film in the Herbie series, introducing the iconic sentient Volkswagen Beetle and establishing the beloved comedic tone.
• *batteries not included (1987): Features small, sentient alien spacecraft helping elderly residents fight against greedy real estate developers, echoing Herbie’s role in protecting Mrs. Steinmetz’s home.
• The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975): A classic Disney live-action Western-comedy from the same period, offering a similar blend of family-friendly humor and lighthearted adventure.
• Cars (2006): An animated film that fully embraces the concept of sentient vehicles, creating a vibrant world where cars have distinct personalities and engage in racing and adventure.
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988): A groundbreaking blend of live-action and animation with a quirky, fantastical world and memorable characters, appealing to fans of imaginative family films with unique magical elements.

🛒 Herbie Rides Again Related Products

• Herbie Rides Again Blu-ray: Relive the classic Herbie adventure in stunning high definition. This Blu-ray edition brings enhanced picture and sound quality to the beloved family film, perfect for new viewers and nostalgic fans.
• Herbie The Love Bug Die-Cast Car Model: A meticulously crafted 1:18 scale die-cast model of Herbie, featuring accurate racing stripes, ’53’ decals, and working parts. This highly detailed replica captures Herbie’s iconic look.
• Herbie Rides Again Original Movie Poster Print: A high-quality reproduction print of the original theatrical release poster for ‘Herbie Rides Again.’ Perfect for framing, it captures the vintage charm and adventurous spirit of the film.
• Disney’s Herbie: Fully Loaded (PlayStation 2): While not directly ‘Herbie Rides Again,’ this racing game allows players to experience the thrill of driving Herbie in various challenges and races, extending the movie’s fun into interactive gameplay.

🎧 Soundtrack

Herbie Rides Again features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Herbie Rides Again (Main Title)” – performed by George Bruns
• “Mr. Big and The Little Car” – performed by George Bruns
• “San Francisco Chase” – performed by George Bruns
• “Finale” – performed by George Bruns

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Herbie Goes Crazy In Bubbles (Herbie Rides Again) 1974

Get ready for some serious sudsy chaos! Herbie really lets loose in this scene, going absolutely bananas in a mountain of bubbles – it’s pure, unadulterated, adorable mayhem and I absolutely love how crazy it gets!

Herbie Chasing Birds/Seagulls At The Beach (Herbie Rides Again) 1974

Ever wonder what a mischievous little car does on a beach day? Watch Herbie playfully chase seagulls in this adorable clip – it truly captures his cute personality, and honestly, it’s just delightful to see!

Herbie Rides Again (1974) Chicken Tournament Jousting

You won’t believe what happens when Herbie gets involved in a ‘chicken tournament joust’! This scene is hilariously bizarre and utterly unique to the movie – it’s definitely one of those ‘you have to see it to believe it’ moments that always makes me smile.

Herbie Rides Again (1974) Bug Army stop motion remake

How cool is this?! Someone recreated a classic Herbie scene using stop motion, and it’s absolutely brilliant. It’s so neat to see fans bring these moments to life in new ways, and this one is really well done!

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