Wuchak
Jul 11, 2020
**Herbie’s back** Tennessee Steinmetz’ aunt (Helen Hayes) is the new owner of Herbie and lives in a firehouse in San Francisco. A notorious real estate magnate (Keenan Wynn) wants her property to build a huge complex, but she won’t sell. When he sends his green lawyer nephew (Ken Berry) to persuade her, the nephew meets her displaced neighbor (Stefanie Powers) and changes sides. Can Herbie & Co. overcome the schemes of the dastardly mogul? "Herbie Rides again" (1969) brings back the lovable Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own and a whole new cast. I like the fact that they completely changed direction and it has its points of interest, like the creative dream sequences and Herbie’s army, not to mention Berry and Powers. It’s cute and fun, but it’s probably my second least favorite of the franchise. The best ones for me are “Herbie Goes Bananas” (1980), “The Love Bug” (1997) and “Herbie Fully Loaded” (2005) with the 1997 one arguably being my favorite because it has a compelling story and features the Dark Herbie and Alexandra Wentworth. The film is short-and-sweet at 1 hour, 28 minutes and was shot in San Francisco and Paramount Ranch, Agoura, California. GRADE: B-/C+
