Cast
Charles Martin Smith
Davy Johns
Stephen W. Burns
Pete
Harvey Korman
Capt. Blythe
Cloris Leachman
Louise Trends
Elyssa Davalos
Melissa Drake
Joaquin Garay III
Paco
Richard Jaeckel
Shepard
Alex Rocco
Quinn
John Vernon
Prindle
Fritz Feld
Chief Steward
Vito Scotti
Armando Moccia
Jose Gonzales-Gonzales
Garage Owner
Ruben Moreno
Store Owner
Tina Menard
Store Owner's Wife
Iris Adrian
Loud American Wife
Crew
Director
- Vincent McEveety
Producer
- Ron Miller
Reviews
Wuchak
**_Madcap misadventures with Herbie in Latin America_**
Jim Douglas’ nephew (Stephen W. Burns) inherits Herbie, but has to pick the car up in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with his mechanic friend (Charles Martin Smith) wherein they meet a mischievous little pickpocket that Herbie takes a liking to. John Vernon and Richard Jaeckel appear as dastardly villains while Harvey Korman plays a nutty cruise ship captain with Cloris Leachman & Elyssa Davalos on hand as passengers.
"Herbie Goes Bananas" (1980) is my favorite of the original four Herbie flicks. The amusing story is more compelling than the previous three and the star-studded cast is noteworthy with everyone giving it their all, especially Korman and Leachman. The cast were having a good time and it shows. A highlight is that this one shows Herbie talking, albeit cute car-language, not English.
Meanwhile Elyssa Davalos is the most beautiful female to be featured in the Herbie franchise up to this point, plus there are several beauties in the periphery.
The next film would be the rebooted TV movie “The Love Bug” (1997), which is my favorite of the series, followed by the excellent “Herbie Fully Loaded” (2005). I favor the 1997 one because it’s the most compelling plus features the Dark Herbie and Alexandra Wentworth.
The film runs 1 hour, 40 minutes and was shot in Mexico (Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara & Tijuana), Panama (Panama Canal & Panama City) and the Los Angeles area (Ventura and Burbank).
GRADE: B
Jul 12, 2020
CinemaSerf
Couldn't they just have let poor old "Herbie" go get pampered in a motor museum somewhere? Plenty of Castrol GTX and some luxury screen wash? Nope - we had to drag him along to get involved in some dodgy Mexican counterfeit malarkey. He's been inherited by "Pete" (Stephen W. Burns) who is frankly a little disappointed that he's not a Ferrari. Together with his pal "D.J." (Charles Martin Smith) they soon discover that "Herbie" is a car with a mind of his own, and so determine to enter him in a race in Brazil. It's on their way that they get hustled by the hugely annoying "Paco" (Joaquin Garay III) and in trying to get their wallets back, discover they are now immersed in a crime ring led by "Prindle" (John Vernon) who is after a secret photograph the got pinched by the same urchin from his own wallet. The fleeing child takes refuge in "Herbie" who takes refuge on an ocean liner heading to Panama. This voyage gives "Aunt Louise" (Cloris Leachman) a chance to pair off handsome "Pete" with her bookish neice "Melissa" (Elyssa Davalos) and pretty soon we are all juggling way too many plates as this glorified edition of the "Dukes of Hazard" fails to get out of second gear. There are a few moments that raise a smile from the Bligh-esque ship's captain "Blythe" who has a hang 'em and flog 'em ethos that could have been usefully used on the writers of this banal and unnecessary outing for our VW that I found really struggled. It's peppered with the usual car chase and slapstick antics, but please now, no more....
Dec 26, 2023
Thematic Analysis
Herbie Goes Bananas represents a fascinating example of Fantasy/Comedy/Family/Adventure cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.
Director Vincent McEveety brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1980, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Herbie Goes Bananas took approximately 5 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 93 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 139 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 4 weeks before filming began.
- The musical score contains over 48 unique compositions.
- The film contains approximately 2118 individual shots.
Historical Context
- In 1980, when this film was released:
- Personal computers were beginning to transform homes and workplaces.
- Economic policies were shifting toward deregulation in many Western countries.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Herbie Goes Bananas shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Black Stallion Returns, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Herbie Goes Bananas subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Warlock: The Armageddon and Honest Candidate 2 explore similar territory, Herbie Goes Bananas stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: June 25, 1980
- Runtime: 1h 33m
- Revenue: $18,000,000
Where to Watch
