As well as being the first Scooby Doo incarnation, the one that started it all, 'Scooby Doo Where are You' to me is still the jewel of the Scooby Doo franchise, which is still very enjoyable nearly half a century on.
This reviewer loves all the show's episodes, even my least favourite "Scooby's Night With a Frozen Fright" is entertaining stuff. "Haunted House Hang Up" conversely is one of the show's classics.
What immediately stands out is the adept mix of atmosphere and humour. There is one of the creepiest settings in the haunted house of the show, the opening was quite scary as a kid especially the close up of the hand holding the candle and the music and the Headless Spectre has a real eeriness, definitely in the top 10 of the creepiest 'Scooby Doo Where are You' villains.
Much stands out with the humour, with Shaggy and Velma bagging some hilarious dialogue here and there are some truly memorable parts like with the water well, the helium balloon, the scene with the box, the secret cellar and the dark room. The climax is a lot of fun, and the chase and the song are among the better ones of the second season, have always enjoyed the chase scenes but have been mixed on the songs. The story is incredibly atmospheric and suspenseful, and the solution is perhaps the show's most surprising with a great twist.
Shaggy and Scooby's friendship still charms, amuses and affects, and they steal the show as always. Velma also has some funny moments, and Fred and Daphne are hardly pointless or liabilities. The animation is fine, lush colours, mostly smooth if occasionally crude drawings and very detailed backgrounds that add to the atmosphere.
The music is haunting and energetic, and the classic theme song, accompanying a fun, affectionate montage of the season's villains, once again shows why its iconic status is justified. As always, the unbeatable Don Messick and Casey Kasem are the standouts of the voice actors, though Frank Welker is remarkably consistent, Nicole Jaffe is solid as Velma and Heather North this reviewer has always preferred over the original voice actress for Daphne.
Overall, wonderful episode and one of the show's classics. Perhaps the best episode of Season 2 as well. 10/10 Bethany Cox
