User reviews

Four teen friends and their dog encounter supernatural mysteries and always end up solving them. They travel around in their van The Mystery Machine and happen upon these random mysteries. There is the jock Fred, beautiful Daphne, nerdy brain Velma, and hungry slacker Shaggy. Scooby Doo is Shaggy's bumbling dog. The kids bribe him with Scooby snakes. Inevitably, the gang traps a perpetrator hiding behind the supernatural scares.

This is classic children's TV. It is an easy, simple formula. It is super family-friendly. Scooby is fun. Don't expect exceptional plots. Each episode has a similar structure. There is also the groovy theme song.

I will not pretend that Scooby Doo, Where are You! is high art, or the greatest animated series ever; however, there is a reason this is a classic and so fondly remembered. This hits so many strong points, from the eerie music, the oppressive yet whimsical tone, and the creepy and sometimes scary villains. Perhaps the most daring has to be the choice of such a dark color scheme(especially for 1969.) All this contributes to the wonderful mood that permeates Scooby Doo. It is a shame that many future Scooby Doo series could not equal the magic that was there in 1969, because they got so much right. The first season is by far the best, but do not knock the second, both are great.

The Gang(Shaggy, Velma, Daphne, Fred, and of course Scooby Doo) travel around in their van(The Mystery Machine) and investigate seemingly supernatural events. This allows each episode to have it's own spooky locale with a wacky spin on the horror genre. Primarily Shaggy and Scooby Doo are the main focus of the show, acting as comic relief to the goings on. Lastly by encouraging critical thinking, having rational explanations, and showing them confronting their fears teaches good lessons to children, who are the target audience. Not that adults can't absolutely love this show, as the superb mix of comedy, mystery, horror, and atmosphere all make this a great cartoon for all ages!

If you liked this show and wanted more Scooby shows, I recommend, The New Scooby-Doo Movies, The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo, What's New, Scooby-Doo?, and Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated. They are all a little different, but are about as good if not better.

I still watch it from time to time. If you're only going to buy one DVD, the one pictured for this (Original Mysteries) is the one to get. This is a cartoon that has stood the test of time. Values such as perseverance, friendship, honesty, and problem-solving are introduced to young viewers. Also, for a cartoon the voice actors do a very good job with their lines. This probably could have been an audio-only radio show. The animation is very simplistic, but adds to the overall effect and allowed Hanna Barbera to release so many episodes on time. The soundtrack is done moderately well and adds to the mood, though never gets in the way of the characters or plot. You'll find that you'll hear the same clips of music repeated throughout the series and even some of the music creeps all the way into season three. Overall, great show and worth a watch for sure.

While Disney and Warner Bros. are the kings of made-for-film cartoons, Hanna-Barbera are the kings of made-for-TV cartoons. The creators of The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Yogi Bear, and Hong Kong Phooey; they've all been successful, but the crown jewel of their creations is Scooby Doo.

Unlike most cartoons, Scooby Doo was a smart and ingenious creation that required thinking and deep thought. The adventures of four teen sleuths and their Great Dane have been a regular viewing pleasure for years. Heck, I still watch it today. The best episodes were the first ones from 1969-72. I think they got progressively better over time because in the early ones, they didn't have enough suspects; usually, they'd only meet up with the guy who was the criminal. Later, they'd have 4 or 5 guys who could be the one unmasked at the end.

As for Scrappy, the only episodes worth seeing with him were when he's with the full cast, solving mysteries. I liked him here, because the act with Scooby and Shaggy always being frightened of every situation got tiresome; at least Scrappy would go right in, and Shaggy and Scooby had no choice but to follow him in, or Scrappy would egg them on. Only when they didn't have the full cast and were only in comic situations (i.e. all the other shows) would the show be awful.

This was my favourite TV show when I was about 10, now at 17 I still love it. I can't help it, it is a classic. This show has great animation for its time, and I find the show enormously entertaining. I love the theme tune, very catchy, and the writing is always amusing. I love the characters too, especially Scooby, wonderfully voiced by Don Messick, and Casey Kasem as Shaggy never fails to bring a smile to my face. Fred, Velma and Daphne are great too, and the villains are memorable with only 49ner being a disappointment(too obvious), from Captain Redbeard, the Creeper and the really creepy ghost of Captain Cutler, I can't actually decide which one's my favourite. As much as I like the Scooby Doo Show and most of the movies, this show will always be my favourite. 10/10 Bethany Cox.

I heard that the creators wanted to have the youngsters solve mysteries that involved scary characters, but the execs found the bad guys a bit too intense for young audiences. Enter Scooby-Doo, the wacky, funny great dane. They make him the focus of the series, the counterbalance to the villains, and the rest is history.

I enjoy the many memorable lines, and contrary to what you might think, they're not just from Shaggy. They include Daphne saying to the Swamp Witch, "You can't believe everything you read" or Freddie saying to Shaggy as he's trying to get into the museum to see the Knight, "That's it, no more jack." Just a great series, especially if you enjoy the quirks and sayings of the late 60's/early 70's.

I still think that Scooby Doo is a great cartoon. There's something that's magical about the work of Bill Hanna and Joseph Babera's work that stands out in my mind and now that these animation geniuses are gone there's nothing left but the memories of my childhood when Scooby Doo made a comeback along with the Flintstones, The Jetsons, and the Gobots. I can't thank Bill and Joe enough for their work because I have a lot of great memories of coming home from school and watching their shows that they made so memorable. I appreciated a lot of the work that Mr Hanna and Mr Barbera did and what it means to a lot of people.

It's something that will be with me for always.

This stuff keeps getting better. I grew up on Scooby, and now I get to watch it with my kids. I know I've seen all four of these episodes a hundred times (about half of those in the month we've owned the tape), but it doesn't matter. Even if you can recite the dialogue line for line, it's still great TV. And unlike those package deals with live action shows, repeated viewings of Scooby and company are never tedious. Thanks to the Cartoon Network for sticking four on the tape (two seems all too common with TV show video tapes) and for keeping Scrappy Doo where he belongs (out of site). The "behind the scenes" clips are fun, too.

Scooby-Doo, that big, hungry, cowardly yet charismatic, often unintentionally heroic and loveable Great Dane, and his four human sidekicks, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne & Velma, made their debut over 35 years ago, 1969 to be exact, and the Mystery Inc. gang are still going strong today, with countless follow up cartoons (including the loathsome "A Pup Named Scooby-Doo"), the direct to to video Scooby movies (Zombie Island, Witch's Ghost, Alien Invaders, etc) and the live action movies starring husband/wife team Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard and Linda Cardellini. And it was all inspired by a Frank Sinatra song...

How does Scooby & the gang do it? Given their predictable formula, the Mystery Inc gang thwarting "nut jobs in Halloween costumes" every episode, could have gone horribly stale and would have killed countless weaker shows, but somehow, Scooby & the gang endured. Also the characters are not incredibly diverse: Fred the stalwart leader who looks like a blond Captain Kirk with a knack for building traps due to usually ignored past history as a boy scout(as movie Velma put it, "He was so handsome... and he really knew how to accessorize."), Daphne the red head who keeps getting captured (but she would stumble upon clues and showed in the episode "Hassle In The Castle" that she had the potential to defend herself, as shown when she accidentally hit Shaggy with the vase), Velma the straight arrow brains of the outfit, and Shaggy the gangly goof-ball chicken with a passion for eating. So how do they do it? Well, for one thing, there are tons of repetitive shows out there (admit it, "Batman: The Animated Series" was basically about Batman thwarting villains every episode or two parter) who's characters may grow but remain the same at the core. 2, Scooby is hard not to like because he's very inoffensive as a protagonist, as are his human companions, and he's probably the only hero to openly admit that he's scared on a regular basis.

Another part of the appeal must be the physical comedy of Scooby and Shaggy (he's not a stoner, DAMN IT!), and that great theme song (too bad the theme wasn't used in EVERY INCARNATION). Sadly, some of the follow up broke the gang up to where it was just Daphne with Shaggy & Scooby or just Scooby & Shaggy, who were probably the most popular characters out of the bunch, but as we all know, Scooby was at his best when he was with the rest of the gang.

So I can't completely explain it, but I thank God for Scooby-Doo. Long live Scooby & the gang.

Classic Hanna Barbara cartoon about four mystery-solving teenage sleuths(confident Fred, beautiful Daphne, intelligent Velma, and frightened but hungry Shaggy) and their easily frightened but often hungry dog Scooby Doo travel the roads of America in their van the Mystery Machine solving mysteries that are always some crook in a mask and/or costume. The original series ran for 25 episodes, then later a further 16(going by what's on the DVDs) and is most enjoyable, certainly brings back childhood memories. Nicely animated and memorable characters, has a distinct atmosphere to it, with a superb theme song. Obviously strains credibility that the gang keeps running into the same type of crooks, and little sense of continuity among episodes, this is still a lot of fun, and things hadn't gotten too silly yet, like they would later when they met celebrities and real ghosts...none of that here!

Right off the mark I'll say that this is going to be dated for the younger crowd and horribly so.

The animation is typical Hannah-Barbara and, people my age love it but I don't think that love would transfer well to the sleek computer animations that so many Millennials and post Millennials are accustomed to.

Still, we have the songs that hearken back to the Monkeys TV show and the chase scenes that are reminiscent of Benny Hill even though they all have a repeating background. A plot that is sort of, kind of like the Archies, meets Captain Cave-Man, meets classic horror teens in danger with a twist.

Its the show that started it, the show that I loved as a child, and one that still works for what it is.

If you can overcome how dated it is, the shows are still entertaining and fun.

I grew up watching some of the 70's Scooby-Doo cartoons, but never did I see one episode from the original late 60's show. Now that I've finished it, I certainly know that the formula of the mystery gang has survived all the way into the 21's century.

I have always liked the simplicity of the show, so therefore I'm pretty biased, because HB Productions was never known for expertise in animation and pioneered the limited animation style of saturday morning cartoons which saved them the money. But they must have done something right, because like I said, the premise has survived for fifty years and Scooby-Doo is among the most iconic cartoon character up their with Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny.

It's a matter of taste, I guess, because I like the show for its simple premise and doesn't mind the rather one-note characters. A classic with charming simplicity.

"Scooby-Doo, Where are you!" is probably my favorite "Scooby-Doo" show. Each episode featured Scooby, and the gang riding along in their van called "The Mystery Machine", and stumble into a mystery. Along the way, the gang would discover clues, Shaggy and Scooby would be eating a lot, and get scared constantly, the ghost/demon/monster/zombie whatnot would be unmasked unveiling someone that the gang encountered earlier, and that would be that for the half-an-hour of programming bliss.

I have to agree with the majority, this has to be Hanna-Barbera's CROWNING achievement, and I hope it's on for years to come (just a little less with Cartoon Network airing it too much). This gets a perfect 10!!

SCOOBY DOOBY DOO!!!!!!!!!

A group of teens consisting of determined leader Fred, accident prone Daphne, knowledgeable Velma, perpetually hungry and fear driven Shaggy and dog Scooby travel around in their van The Mystery Machine stumbling across ghosts, monsters, aliens, and other supernatural occurrences that more often than not have a logical explanation that is anything but.

Produced during a time where Hanna-Barbera was in a transitional state, the pioneering company was no longer in the prime-time space with the cancellation of its sitcoms The Flintstones and The Jetsons, and senate inquiries and parental protests related to the effects of media violence meant it was no longer conducive to their company image to produce their superhero/action shows (Space Ghost and Dino Boy, Birdman and the Galaxy Trio, The Herculoids, etc.). With necessity being the mother of invention, Hanna-Barbera staples Joe Ruby and Ken Spears concept emerged following a number of revisions and became the crown jewel in Hanna-Barbera's crown that still shines bright to this day.

Like Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew, the mysteries are simple and straightforward, but it sprinkles enough detail and character in to make itself engaging. The show does a good job of balancing the mystery/atmosphere elements of Fred, Daphne, and Velma and also balancing the comic relief antics of Shaggy and Scooby-Doo without letting one overtake the other. The early episodes in particular are nicely atmospheric with isolated countrysides, dilapidated houses, creepy castles, and other secluded areas tying in nicely with the imagery and iconography that can be traced back to 30s and 40s Universal Horror movies. While the show is never scary with its use of monsters of the week, its atmosphere makes it an engaging watch for its target audience.

The show is good, but the budget does definitely show in quite a few sequences including its looped walking animations and sometimes mirroring shots from other episodes for use in other areas. There's also some rather obviously recycled animation cycles left over from the production of Jonny Quest, but these are minor technical nitpicks that don't detract from the overall appeal. The show became a victim of its own success as it continued to be a staple of Saturday morning screens throughout the 70s to the point it inspired Hanna-Barbera to rip off their own product producing other Scooby-Doo esque shows too numerous to mention. The show itself also suffered in quality as in later 70s incarnations the balance shifted from mysteries to Shaggy and Scooby chases/shenanigans that were no longer equally balanced out by the mysteries/investigative elements.

Scooby-Doo is a simple and formulaic show, but its also a quotable show that has ingrained itself in the popular consciousness because of the genius in its simplicity. With its simple formula of some teens and their dog stumbling into supernatural happenings that are more often than not a hoax, the show has surpassed contemporary expectations and become a pop culture icon. It's a fun show that knows exactly what it is and makes the most of its simple premise. An endearing show that spawned a franchise and maintains its charmed to this day.

I don't think it's entirely my nostalgia speaking when I say that these 25 episodes make up what is still the greatest children's TV show in existence. And it probably will remain the greatest for a very long time. I know that when I have kids, this will be the first show that I watch with them. And if they don't like it I guess I'll just have to get new kids.

This cartoon series features my favorite cartoon character, Scooby Doo, and represents one of the best things from my childhood and is the first and original show starring the character, which have spawn many series sequels and incarnations and movies.

Here, a group of young sleuths, Fred, Daphne, Velma and Shaggy, form the Mystery Incorporated, Inc., a crime-solving organization, along with their great dane, Scooby. You get to see good classic detective elements in the episodes, from finding clues to splitting up to investigate. The antagonists is almost always a ghostly or out-of-this world figure, which gives this show a suspenseful and horror touch. But, what results all together are the hilarious gags and comedy that the characters serve up.

Shaggy and Scooby are the best friends in the show and deliver probably the best dose of laughs, from their cowardly stance toward solving mysteries to their hunger for snacks to their slapstick style of dealing with each problematic situation. Velma is the bookworm in the bunch, but possesses a witty and deadpan humor deliverance that adds onto the show's laugh-out-loud humor. Fred and Daphne are the more serious of the bunch, with Fred being the group's leader and Daphne usually being the damsel-in-distress.

It's an entertaining show that I looked forward to watch after school or on the weekends - one that certainly makes your mood feel better and keeps you filled with suspense and make you laugh your hearts out. Even as an adult, I would catch certain episodes of this show just for the fun of it.

Grade A

The Scooby series that started it all! The great thing about this show is that on the surface its premise is so simple, and yet underneath all that you have five characters who on their own would be useless, but together form an awesome team.

The premise and standard story line is often mocked, but it is effective, and brought to life by a brilliant original voice team, headed up by Casey Kasem.

There have been so many other TV shows based on the characters, as well as films etc, but they all take their inspiration from this original legendary TV series from 1969.

So most of the Scooby-doo content I've seen I've found pretty overrated. Even the newer show Mystery Incorporated is just not engaging. The concept of scooby-doo is pretty absurdist, and this original series is the only one that really feels like it understands that concept. Mystery Incorporated, while it has character arcs and an overall story, takes itself too seriously and I've never really felt the concept work for me. Here, it thrives. Animation is good for the time and holds up in the modern age due to again, it's ability to not take itself too seriously. It's just a good watch. The humor works too, intentional or unintentional. Modern scooby content focuses a lot on the Mystery when I feel it's original success didn't come with the compelling mysteries but from the characters. It just knows what it's trying to be and is just naturally good at accomplishing it. Not a perfect show but it's an old show I don't mind turning on every now and again. I've only watched season 1 at this point but I'll update if things change for me.

Scooby-Doo was a big part of my childhood and was one of my favorite cartoons (Alongside Dexters Laboratory,Powerpuff Girls,Hong Kong Phooey and Danger Mouse). My favorite character is Shaggy as he is funny. I love his voice provided by the late Casey Casem. my favorite monsters are Miner 49er,Black Knight Ghost,Captain Cutler and Captain Redbeard. Definitely a classic cartoon not to be missed at any cost although I suggest skipping the later episodes with Scrappy as they are awful.Plus Fred,Daphne and Velma are absent so it misses the charm of the classic 1969-78 shows.

9/10. Kids will love the adventures of Scooby and the adults will certainly have a nostalgic spot for him too.

Sometimes it's fun and quirky. Definitely not a bad show.

I know that this was a kid's show, and I know that it aired in the '70s, but STILL, every time I watched an episode with my sister (when I was still young) I felt like my intelligence was being insulted.

Boring characters, predictable plots, unfunny jokes and bad animation made Scooby-Doo a pile of, well.... doggy doo. I'll never understand why this show was so popular, because aside from a few catchy songs now and then, it had absolutely no redeeming features.

Besides that, it was quite obvious that Shaggy and Scooby were a pair of stingers. They always had the munchies and whenever they left the van there was a puff of smoke. Also, Freddy had NO personality whatsoever. While he and Daphne were off "looking for clues" (yeah right) Scooby and Shaggy always got themselves into trouble. How come he never figured out that the two of them couldn't be trusted on their own?

Anyway, you shouldn't watch this show. You should watch "Josie and the Pussycats" instead.