Herbie Rides Again (1974) - Turner Classic Movies

Brief Synopsis

A spunky widow uses her magical Volkswagen to fight off a corrupt land developer.

Cast & Crew

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Robert Stevenson

Helen Hayes

Ken Berry

Stefanie Powers

Vito Scotti

Ivor Harry

Photos & Videos

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Herbie Rides Again -- (Movie Clip) Opening

Herbie Rides Again -- (Movie Clip) Mrs. Steinmetz

Herbie Rides Again -- (Movie Clip) Hawk Plaza

Film Details

MPAA Rating

Genre

Comedy

Release Date

1974

Technical Specs

Duration

1h 28m

Sound

Mono

Color

Color (Technicolor)

Theatrical Aspect Ratio

1.75 : 1

Synopsis

Alonzo Hawk is a mean-spirited property developer who has bought several blocks of land in the downtown district in order to build a gigantic shopping mall. There is one problem however; an elderly widow named Steinmetz won't sell the one remaining lot that Hawk needs to proceed with his scheme. So he resorts to all manner of chicanery, legal or otherwise, to get it. Fortunately, the widow Steinmetz has an ace up her sleeve in the form of Herbie, the miraculous Volkswagen.

Directors

Robert Stevenson

Art Vitarelli

Cast

Helen Hayes

Ken Berry

Stefanie Powers

Vito Scotti

Ivor Harry

John Mcintire

Richard X. Slattery

Chuck Mccann

Elaine Devry

Huntz Hall

Liam Dunn

Hank Jones

Dan Tobin

Keenan Wynn

Rod Mccary

Raymond Bailey

Crew

George Bruns

Gordon Buford

Art Cruickshank

Special Effects

Danny Lee

Special Effects

Eustace Lycett

Special Effects

Alan Maley

Special Effects

John Mansbridge

Frank Phillips

Director Of Photography

Herb Taylor

Walter Tyler

Bill Walsh

Cotton Warburton

Photo Collections

Videos

Herbie Rides Again -- (Movie Clip) Opening This segment of the credits from Disney's "Love Bug" sequel Herbie Rides Again, 1974. features evil land developer Alonzo Hawk (Keenan Wynn) having good fun imploding buildings.

Herbie Rides Again -- (Movie Clip) Mrs. Steinmetz Neophyte lawyer Willoughby Whitfield (Ken Berry) meets Mrs. Steinmetz (Helen Hayes) and "Herbie" the "Love Bug" at the old firehouse where she lives in Disney's Herbie Rides Again. 1974.

Herbie Rides Again -- (Movie Clip) Hawk Plaza The cynical and grandiose Alonzo Hawk (Keenan Wynn) unveils his plans for a giang H-shaped office building and berates his lawyers in Disney's "Love Bug" sequel Herbie Rides Again. 1974.

Film Details

MPAA Rating

Genre

Comedy

Release Date

1974

Technical Specs

Duration

1h 28m

Sound

Mono

Color

Color (Technicolor)

Theatrical Aspect Ratio

1.75 : 1

Articles

Herbie Rides Again

October 7, 2008

Herbie, the lovable VW Beetle with a mind of its own, is back in Herbie Rides Again (1974), the first sequel to Disney's 1968 smash hit film The Love Bug. Retired from his racing days in The Love Bug, Herbie now leads a low key life in the care of elderly Mrs. Steinmetz (Helen Hayes), a feisty widow who lives in her late husband's quaint old San Francisco firehouse. Greedy developer Alonzo Hawk (Keenan Wynn) is buying up all the land surrounding the firehouse with the intention of building Hawk Plaza, the latest in his series of eyesore skyscrapers taking over the city by the bay. When Mrs. Steinmetz refuses to sell her property, Hawk pulls out all the stops to drive her out. In an effort to intimidate her, Hawk sends his fresh-out-of-law-school nephew, Willoughby Whitfield (Ken Berry), to persuade her to vacate. When Willoughby falls for Mrs. Steinmetz's beautiful granddaughter Nicole (Stefanie Powers), he decides to switch sides. Together he, Nicole and Mrs. Steinmetz fight back - all with Herbie's help, of course.

Veteran Disney director Robert Stevenson (Old Yeller [1957], Mary Poppins [1964]), who guided The Love Bug to box office success, makes Herbie Rides Again a fun fast-paced charmer. Thanks to her Academy Award- winning performance in Airport (1970), theater Grand Dame Helen Hayes was enjoying a revitalized career as a film star at the age of 74 when she got the role of Mrs. Steinmetz. Following a positive experience on Herbie Rides Again, she went on to make two more films for Disney: One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing (1975) and Candleshoe (1977).

Herbie Rides Again marks the third time the character of ruthless businessman Alonzo Hawk has appeared in a Disney film, each time played by the wonderful Keenan Wynn. Hawk made his first appearance opposite Fred MacMurray in The Absent-Minded Professor (1961). Two years later Wynn reprised the role in the sequel to The Absent-Minded Professor, Son of Flubber (1963).

In the original The Love Bug, no VW logos appear on Herbie since Disney and Volkswagen had never come to a business agreement. However, when The Love Bug became a huge success and sales of the VW Beetle increased, Volkswagen became Herbie's biggest fan. The VW logos reappeared on Herbie in Herbie Rides Again, and Volkswagen dealers all over the world had prop Herbie cars on display and Herbie posters to give away to customers.

Herbie Rides Again was followed by three more popular sequels: Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977), Herbie Goes Bananas (1980) and Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005) in which Herbie found a new generation of young fans.

Producer: Bill Walsh
Director: Robert Stevenson
Screenplay: Bill Walsh; Gordon Buford (story)
Cinematography: Frank Phillips
Art Direction: John B. Mansbridge, Walter Tyler
Music: George Bruns
Film Editing: Cotton Warburton
Cast: Helen Hayes (Mrs. Steinmetz), Ken Berry (Willoughby Whitfield), Stefanie Powers (Nicole Harris), John McIntire (Mr. Judson), Keenan Wynn (Alonzo Hawk), Huntz Hall (judge), Richard X. Slattery (traffic commissioner), Raymond Bailey (lawyer), Dan Tobin (lawyer), Elaine Devry (secretary), Liam Dunn (doctor), Vito Scotti (taxi driver).
C-88m.

by Andrea Passafiume

Herbie Rides Again

Herbie Rides Again

Herbie, the lovable VW Beetle with a mind of its own, is back in Herbie Rides Again (1974), the first sequel to Disney's 1968 smash hit film The Love Bug. Retired from his racing days in The Love Bug, Herbie now leads a low key life in the care of elderly Mrs. Steinmetz (Helen Hayes), a feisty widow who lives in her late husband's quaint old San Francisco firehouse. Greedy developer Alonzo Hawk (Keenan Wynn) is buying up all the land surrounding the firehouse with the intention of building Hawk Plaza, the latest in his series of eyesore skyscrapers taking over the city by the bay. When Mrs. Steinmetz refuses to sell her property, Hawk pulls out all the stops to drive her out. In an effort to intimidate her, Hawk sends his fresh-out-of-law-school nephew, Willoughby Whitfield (Ken Berry), to persuade her to vacate. When Willoughby falls for Mrs. Steinmetz's beautiful granddaughter Nicole (Stefanie Powers), he decides to switch sides. Together he, Nicole and Mrs. Steinmetz fight back - all with Herbie's help, of course. Veteran Disney director Robert Stevenson (Old Yeller [1957], Mary Poppins [1964]), who guided The Love Bug to box office success, makes Herbie Rides Again a fun fast-paced charmer. Thanks to her Academy Award- winning performance in Airport (1970), theater Grand Dame Helen Hayes was enjoying a revitalized career as a film star at the age of 74 when she got the role of Mrs. Steinmetz. Following a positive experience on Herbie Rides Again, she went on to make two more films for Disney: One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing (1975) and Candleshoe (1977). Herbie Rides Again marks the third time the character of ruthless businessman Alonzo Hawk has appeared in a Disney film, each time played by the wonderful Keenan Wynn. Hawk made his first appearance opposite Fred MacMurray in The Absent-Minded Professor (1961). Two years later Wynn reprised the role in the sequel to The Absent-Minded Professor, Son of Flubber (1963). In the original The Love Bug, no VW logos appear on Herbie since Disney and Volkswagen had never come to a business agreement. However, when The Love Bug became a huge success and sales of the VW Beetle increased, Volkswagen became Herbie's biggest fan. The VW logos reappeared on Herbie in Herbie Rides Again, and Volkswagen dealers all over the world had prop Herbie cars on display and Herbie posters to give away to customers. Herbie Rides Again was followed by three more popular sequels: Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977), Herbie Goes Bananas (1980) and Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005) in which Herbie found a new generation of young fans. Producer: Bill Walsh Director: Robert Stevenson Screenplay: Bill Walsh; Gordon Buford (story) Cinematography: Frank Phillips Art Direction: John B. Mansbridge, Walter Tyler Music: George Bruns Film Editing: Cotton Warburton Cast: Helen Hayes (Mrs. Steinmetz), Ken Berry (Willoughby Whitfield), Stefanie Powers (Nicole Harris), John McIntire (Mr. Judson), Keenan Wynn (Alonzo Hawk), Huntz Hall (judge), Richard X. Slattery (traffic commissioner), Raymond Bailey (lawyer), Dan Tobin (lawyer), Elaine Devry (secretary), Liam Dunn (doctor), Vito Scotti (taxi driver). C-88m. by Andrea Passafiume

Quotes

Of course I have to humor Herbie. He used to be a famous racing car, but his driver went off to Europe to drive foreign cars, so he's a little sensitive. You can understand that.
- Grandma Steinmetz

We understand your position Mrs. Steinmetz. That's why Mr. Hawk has authorized...
- Willoughby Whitfield

Don't tell me you're from Alonzo Hawk?
- Grandma Steinmetz

Yes.
- Willoughby Whitfield

Oh, and you have such a nice face.
- Grandma Steinmetz

Oh Nicole, I want you to meet a gentleman from Mr. Hawk.
- Grandma Steinmetz

How do you do?
- Nicole Harris

Please, Miss Harris, I can't believe Uncle Alonzo would do things like that.
- Willoughby Whitfield

Wait a minute^? Uncle? He's you're uncle? You rotten spy!
- Nicole Harris

Uncle Alonzo, I've dropped by to talk to you man to man, so I can look you squarely in the eye.
- Willoughby Whitfield

No, I'm wearing make-up because of a black eye. A girl hit me in the face with a boiled lobster the moment I mentioned your name.
- Willoughby Whitfield

This same wonderful, intelligent, clear-sighted girl was able to convince me what kind of a person you really are.
- Willoughby Whitfield

I do not hold with your scheme of cheating Mrs. Steinmetz out of her home so that you may build your concrete anthill on the spot where she has known so much happiness. Hm.
- Willoughby Whitfield

I think you are despicable, greedy, grasping, and wholly without principle or pity.
- Willoughby Whitfield

I also believe you are not a nice person.
- Willoughby Whitfield

I'm sorry Mr. Hawk. I called the motel but you're nephew checked out.
- Secretary

What do you mean he's checked out?
- Alonzo Hawk

When? Where? Who told him he could check out? How dare he disappear when he knows I'm worried sick? I'll tear his chicken-livered gizzard to pieces! I'll stomp him silly! I'll take this letter knife, and I'll stab that kid right in his ungrateful breastbone! You know me Millicent, normally I'm a kindly, fun-loving fellow! But when I get crossed...
- Alonzo Hawk

I go bananas.
- Alonzo Hawk

Trivia

The model year of Volkswagen Beetle used for Herbie shifts back and forth throughout the film. It's most visible when the side rear windows change size from smaller (1963) to larger (1966).

The GAF Viewmaster reel set shows a picture from a deleted sequence where one of Alonzo Hawk's nightmares has him being treated by VW Beetle doctors. The "doctors" have a red cross on the hood and the headlights have "pupils." The "doctors" have mechanical arms that hold welding torches and other mechanical tools. The scene was probably deleted because it would have been too scary for kids.

Unlike _Love Bug, The (1969)_ , in which all VW logos were removed from Herbie, Disney worked closely with Volkswagen to promote the sequel. 300,000 Herbie posters were distributed to dealers to pass on to their customers and each VW dealer had a Bug on display that was made up to look like Herbie. Plus, if a customer wanted to turn their new Beetle into a Herbie they could purchase a graphics kit from the VW parts department.

The original choice for the lead character was Walter Brennan playing Grandpa Steinmetz. His untimely passing prevented this so the studio cast 'Helen Hayes' as Grandma Steinmetz instead.

Miscellaneous Notes

Released in United States Winter January 1, 1974

Released in USA on video as part of Walt Disney's Family Film Collection.

Released in United States Winter January 1, 1974

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