Herbie Rides Again

Herbie Rides Again

Year: 1974

Runtime: 88 min

Language: English

Director: Robert Stevenson

FantasyComedyRomanceFamily

In this delightful tale of whimsy and wit, a spirited VW Beetle joins forces with a determined aunt (Helen Hayes) to thwart the nefarious schemes of a greedy developer (Keenan Wynn). Love and laughter ensue as a charming young couple (Ken Berry and Stefanie Powers) discover their special bond amidst the mayhem.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Herbie Rides Again yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Herbie Rides Again (1974)
Trace every key event in Herbie Rides Again (1974) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.
1

Alonzo Hawk's Ambitious Project

Real estate mogul Alonzo A. Hawk is preparing to begin his grand project: the 130-story Hawk Plaza in San Francisco. However, his plans are impeded by the last standing building on the site, a historic firehouse owned by Mrs. Steinmetz.

San Francisco
2

Hawk's Attempts to Evict

Despite facing constant challenges, Hawk relentlessly tries to evict Mrs. Steinmetz from her historic firehouse. The mounting costs of $80,000 a day due to delays in the project add to his frustration.

Hawk Plaza site
3

Willoughby Arrives

Willoughby Whitfield, Hawk's lawyer nephew, arrives to negotiate a settlement with Mrs. Steinmetz. A warm connection develops between Willoughby and Mrs. Steinmetz, setting the stage for his growing involvement in her life.

The firehouse
4

Meeting Herbie

Mrs. Steinmetz introduces Willoughby to Herbie, the Love Bug, while also showcasing other unique machines in the firehouse. This meeting marks the beginning of a peculiar camaraderie as Willoughby becomes more acquainted with Mrs. Steinmetz's world.

The firehouse
5

Nicole's Anger

Willoughby encounters Nicole, who is furious about the destruction caused by Hawk's crew. Their initial clash culminates in Nicole punching Willoughby, marking the start of a tumultuous relationship.

Neighborhood
6

The Car Jousting Contest

Nicole invites Willoughby to a thrilling car-themed jousting contest, where Herbie unexpectedly dominates the competition. This event serves as a turning point for Willoughby, showcasing Herbie's unique abilities.

Jousting arena
7

Secrets Revealed at Fisherman's Wharf

During a seafood meal, Nicole reveals shocking secrets about Hawk's corrupt dealings. Willoughby's anger mounts as he discovers Hawk's demolition of a beloved baseball site, leading to a heated confrontation with Nicole.

Fisherman's Wharf
8

Hawk's Theft of Herbie

Driven by greed, Hawk orchestrates the theft of Herbie. However, Herbie’s cleverness turns the tables, resulting in a series of humorous mishaps as he escapes from Hawk’s control.

Hawk's vicinity
9

Chase against Hawk's Henchmen

While Mrs. Steinmetz is being escorted to the market, Herbie leads a thrilling chase against Hawk's henchmen. The chase includes daring maneuvers through notable locations, showcasing Herbie's skill and agility.

Sheraton Palace Hotel & Golden Gate Bridge
10

Gathering Groceries

During a peaceful drive to the beach, Willoughby and Nicole’s romance blossoms while gathering groceries for Mrs. Steinmetz. This moment strengthens their bond amidst the ongoing conflict with Hawk.

Beach
11

Breaking into Hawk's Warehouse

Determined to reclaim what Hawk has taken, Mrs. Steinmetz, Willoughby, Nicole, and Herbie devise a plan to infiltrate Hawk's warehouse. Their clever tactics lead to a chaos-filled getaway with Old No. 22.

Hawk's warehouse
12

Confrontation on the Skyscraper

Mrs. Steinmetz and Willoughby confront Hawk on the window-cleaning apparatus of his skyscraper. The situation escalates comically when Mrs. Steinmetz uses the machinery against him, leading to hilarious consequences.

Hawk's skyscraper
13

Hawk's False Peace

Unexpectedly, Hawk attempts to broker a false peace with Mrs. Steinmetz, though his true intentions are duplicitous. This manipulation sets the stage for a tense climax between Hawk and the protagonists.

The firehouse
14

Herbie's Rallying of Beetles

In a spectacular display of unity, Herbie rallys other sentient Volkswagen Beetles to combat Hawk. This army of Beetles creates chaos for Hawk, leading to his eventual capture by the authorities.

San Francisco
15

A Joyous Conclusion

After Hawk's capture, Willoughby and Nicole solidify their relationship by getting married. They ride off into the sunset alongside Herbie and his Beetle companions, marking the end of their tumultuous journey.

Last Updated: November 22, 2024 at 16:15

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