Herbie Goes Bananas

“Herbie Goes Bananas” is a family comedy film released in 1980 and is the fourth installment in the popular “Herbie” film series by Walt Disney Productions. Directed by Vincent McEveety, the movie continues the adventures of Herbie, the lovable Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own.

In this film, Herbie is shipped to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for a big racing event. However, upon arrival, the car is accidentally switched with a duplicate, a seemingly ordinary Beetle. The film follows the misadventures of the wrong Herbie as he befriends a young pickpocket named Paco (played by Joaquin Garay III) and a feisty orphaned girl named Melissa (played by Elyssa Davalos).

As the film unfolds, Herbie and his new friends find themselves in various hilarious and exciting situations, including a boat race, a bullfighting ring, and a carnival parade. Throughout the journey, the car’s endearing personality and unique abilities shine, providing plenty of entertainment for the audience.

“Herbie Goes Bananas” features the signature car stunts and comedic moments that are a hallmark of the “Herbie” film series. The film’s exotic Brazilian setting also adds to the colorful and adventurous atmosphere, making it an enjoyable family film.

While “Herbie Goes Bananas” did not achieve the same level of critical and commercial success as the earlier installments in the series, it remains a nostalgic favorite for fans of the lovable anthropomorphic car and its humorous escapades.

The “Herbie” film series has since become a classic part of Disney’s film library, and the character of Herbie continues to be cherished by audiences worldwide. Despite “Herbie Goes Bananas” being the last film in the original series, the lovable car would later make appearances in other Disney productions and adaptations, leaving a lasting impact on popular culture.

Fun Facts

• “Herbie Goes Bananas” is the fourth installment in the “Herbie the Love Bug” film series, released in 1980. This time, Herbie finds himself in Mexico and gets involved in a series of comedic adventures.
• The film features a guest appearance by the famous Mexican actor and comedian Cantinflas (real name: Mario Moreno). Cantinflas plays the role of an archaeologist who joins Herbie on his adventures in Mexico. His inclusion added star power to the movie.
• In “Herbie Goes Bananas,” Herbie is depicted as a white Volkswagen Beetle with a sunroof, unlike his previous appearances as a red or blue car. This change in Herbie’s appearance was a notable deviation from the earlier films in the series.