This Day in Pop Culture for March 13

Walt Disney’s The Love Bug movie came to theaters with a limited release on Christmas Eve in 1968, but the Volkswagen film got its major release on this day in 1969. In fact, Disney wasn’t even sure what type of car would be starring in film when he first began working on it back in the early 60’s. Volkswagen wouldn’t even permit Disney to use its name or logo in the film. And despite the film’s title, the car is never referred to as a bug. The story involves Jim Douglas, a washed up car racer being reduced to race in demolition derby races. After purchasing the car, Douglas notices that “Herbie” (a name his roommate came up with) has a mind of his own. The film starred Dean Jones, Michele Lee, David Thomlinson and Buddy Hackett. Not only did The Love Bug get fairly decent reviews, it was the second top grossing movie of 1969 (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was #1), it spawned four sequels and even a limited TV series.