Before Slug Bug…
There was the Love Bug.  50 years ago Herbie accelerated to stardom and sequels.  Now how many “50 years ago” articles have I typed? Think about it, 50 years ago Herbie, PotC, Mary Poppins, et al. How many entertainment enterprises have that many half century celebrations!?!?!?!
Herbie was born of the screen story called Boy-Girl-Car written by Gordon Buford. Walt was enamored with the idea of a car with a mind of its own. Applying his Midas touch, as only Walt can, he acquired the rights to the screen treatment. Walt changed the name of the title to The Love Bug, Herbie was released and a sequel star is born.
But wait, …… the timing is off, isn’t it.   50 years is 1969. Yes, Walt passed before he could distribute his idea. But like many projects before his passing, his touch was magical.Â
Producer/writer Bill Walsh, director Robert Stevenson, and writer Don DaGradi, all Disney Legends, (shown with Herbie above L – R) took the reins and delivered us what can only be described as, “a hug” from a bug.  Herbie was just a huggable representation of what all of us need. Guidance in affairs of the heart.
What I found incredibly interesting about the process of development was how the vehicle make was chosen. The three Disney Legends mentioned above held a car auction at the studios in Burbank. Numerous models of cars were parked in the lot and the employees were allowed to walk by and inspect the cars. The three gentlemen noticed that the employees treated all the other cars as machines, kicking tires, turning the steering wheel, looking under the hood etc.  However, all the employees seem to kindly pat the VW. It was as if they treated the vehicle like a family pet.  That is how Herbie was chosen, not horsepower, but hug power.   INCONCEIVABLE!  Ooops, sorry, wrong film.   Just another example of why Disney’s creative teams are so successful. Always thinking out of the box.
Herbie’s number “53” was not random. There was a singular influence to this decision. Bill Walsh was quite the baseball fan, and being located in Los Angeles, he followed the Dodgers.  Don Drysdale was number 53 and quite the hurler for the boys in Dodger Blue. The name Herbie was taken from Buddy Hackett’s stand up routine. Always thinking creatively!
The Love Bug opened at Radio City Music Hall on March 23, 1969, and at Grauman’s Chinese Theater on March 26th.  It was an incredibly successful release coming in second only to Mary Poppins. Herbie’s attraction was the unending underdog that always seemed to overcome all obstacles with pure determination and love.  Maybe these characteristics are why Herbie was a natural sequel machine. 5 Films, a TV mini-series, and a made for TV movie, and a guest appearance here and there (Disneyland Showtime 1970 on Youtube) has accelerated this plucky bug to the heights of Disney history. Have you been hugged by Herbie?
BEEP BEEP!
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jman410_89
Great article!
sarahjoe37
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen the movie from beginning to end….
I did happen to see the one with Lindsay Lohan.. Not a fan of that one.
starbee
I never knew the story behind how the car was chosen. I can’t imagine any other model being used!
Acamm
LOVE it!!!