Herbie Will Honk His Way Into Your Heart.

Starring: Dean Jones, Michele Lee, David Tomlinson, Buddy Hackett, Joe Flynn, Benson Fong, Joe E. Ross, Barry Kelley, Iris Adrian, Gary Owens, Chick Hearn

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ - good

"You aren't winning any of those races! You couldn't win a game of marbles against a 12-toed myopic rhinoceros!" – Carole Bennett to Jim Douglas

Why watch this? This creative, adorable family comedy spawned a slew of sequels.

Plot Summary: A down-on-his-luck race car driver in San Francisco finds his life changed when a sentient white Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own, nicknamed Herbie, follows him home and forces a partnership. As they begin winning races, the car's arrogant former owner grows jealous and plots to sabotage the team, seeking to steal the car back. With the help of his friends, the driver must learn to appreciate his unique car and overcome his rival in a high-stakes, cross-country race.

Dad's Preview: Growing up I loved Herbie, the Love Bug. It was kinda groovy, man. This film is the perfect mixture of Disney magic, the 60's, and an inspired idea about a car that comes to life. Back in the late 1960's, Disney was the best producer of films that needed ground-breaking special effects. The driving stunts and Herbie's numerous gravity-defying feats are still amazing to watch. It is equally incredible how much personality they give the cream-colored little VW bug. Sure there's a dastardly villain and burgeoning love story, but it is jovial comedian Buddy Hackett who holds it all together - he's a trip. And, since it's a Disney film, a happy ending is coming down the road to you.

Walt Disney Productions; Buena Vista Distribution