Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977)

_**Dean Jones returns and takes Herbie to France, along with mechanic Don Knotts**_ Jim Douglas (Dean Jones) and his new mechanic (Don Knotts) take Herbie to France to compete in the Monte Carlo Rally where Herbie falls for the car of a female racer (Julie Sommars). Meanwhile thieves steal a valuable diamond and hide it in Herbie’s gas tank. "Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo" (1977) brings back Dean Jones minus Michele Lee and Buddy Hackett, but Sommars and Knotts are fine in the corresponding roles. I like the switch to Europe, which is very scenic, but the way the fantasy elements are handled is lousy. This is easily my least favorite of the series. 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 that features the Dark Herbie and Alexandra Wentworth. The film runs 1 hour, 45 minutes and was shot in Paris & Monte Carlo, France, but also Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, California. GRADE: C