As a lifelong horror fan, I always loved the old Scooby-Doo cartoon series for its creepy situations and menacing villains—many of which were inspired by classic monster movies and works of literature. For this reason, I decided to compile a list of seven episodes (all from the original show) that every creature feature buff should enjoy regardless of age.
7) Scooby-Doo and a Mummy, Too
When Shaggy accidentally removes an ancient coin from a museum exhibit, the Mummy of Ankha comes to life and begins turning people to stone. Wrapped in bandages and possessing great physical strength, the Mummy of Ankha seems to have been directly influenced by Kharis—introduced in Universal Studios’ The Mummy’s Hand.
6) Nowhere to Hyde
Suspecting he might be the ghost of Mr. Hyde, Dr. Jekyll shares his concern with the mystery gang. With bulging eyes, skeletal fingers, and a pointed chin, the villain in “Nowhere to Hyde” shares much in common with his predecessor from the 1920 version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
5) Spooky Space Kook
Finding mysterious, glowing footprints near a local farm, the gang runs into a spaceman with hollow eyes and a skull-like visage. Regarded by many fans as the scariest episode in the entire series, “Spooky Space Kook” combines a creepy airfield setting with sci-fi tropes, providing an atmospheric homage to the alien invasion films of the 1950s.
4) Which Witch Is Which?
On the way home from a fishing trip, Scooby and the gang ask directions from a man (later revealed to be a toothless zombie) standing on the side of the road. Featuring voodoo curses, a cackling witch, and an eerie swamp setting, the alliterative “Which Witch Is Which?” will appeal to fans of pre-Romero zombie movies.
3) A Night of Fright Is No Delight
An eccentric colonel leaves his fortune to Scooby, but with the following condition: in order to collect Col. Sanders’ inheritance money, Scooby and several others must spend the night with a pair of malevolent, chain-rattling phantoms. Spoofing the premise for House on Haunted Hill, “A Night of Fright Is No Delight” pays a terrifying tribute to director William Castle.
2) Jeepers, It’s the Creeper
Investigating a series of bank robberies, Scooby and the gang are confronted by a ghoulish phantom known as the Creeper. Sporting yellow eyes, sunken features, and pale green skin, the Creeper bears a striking resemblance to the Frankenstein monster played by Boris Karloff.
1) A Gaggle of Galloping Ghosts
After meeting with a fortune teller, the gang investigates a haunted castle imported from Transylvania. Bringing Count Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, and the Wolfman together in the same episode, “A Gaggle of Galloping Ghosts” should be requisite viewing for fans of the Universal Monster franchise.
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