After running their boat aground on an island during one foggy evening, the group investigate a ghost that keeps trying to scare them off the island and out of the spooky castle located ther... Read allAfter running their boat aground on an island during one foggy evening, the group investigate a ghost that keeps trying to scare them off the island and out of the spooky castle located there.After running their boat aground on an island during one foggy evening, the group investigate a ghost that keeps trying to scare them off the island and out of the spooky castle located there.
- Velma Dinkley
- (voice)
- Scooby-Doo
- (voice)
- …
- Additional Voices
- (voice)
- (credit only)
- The Phantom
- (voice)
- …
- Additional Voices
- (voice)
- (credit only)
- Additional Voices
- (voice)
- (credit only)
- Fred Jones
- (voice)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis is the first episode where the Mystery Machine does not appear.
- GoofsIn the first close-up of the gang on the boat, Velma's skirt loses its pleats the entire time. At the same time, Scooby's spots on his back are missing, even when the camera switches to another close-up showing just him and Velma.
- Quotes
Fred: [after the phantom walked through the wall and dissapeared] Did you see that?
Scooby Doo: Yeah!
Shaggy: Like he went through the wall, non-stop!
Velma: There's a very logical explanation for all this.
Shaggy: Quick. Tell me.
Velma: The place is haunted.
Shaggy: Thanks a lot! Why don't we take that phantom man's advice and clear out of this place?
Scooby Doo: Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Fred: No, Shag. We're not going.
Shaggy: Like, why not?
Fred: Three good reasons, Shaggy. First: No phantom is gonna scare us away. Second: Why does he want us off this island so bad? And third: We're marooned.
Shaggy: I'll buy that last one.
Daphne: Hey, fellas. Over here, a clue. Look, I found a key in this old chest. It must belong to the phantom.
Fred: Hey, there's some writing on it. It says, "Second passage of the old bell".
Daphne: Second passage?
Shaggy: Old bell?
Fred: There's no old bell in this old castle.
Scooby Doo: Hmm.
Velma: I've got it! The word "passage" must mean a passage in a book.
Fred: Then "The Old Bell" must be the name of a book.
Scooby Doo: That's right! Yeah!
Daphne: And the best place to find a book is in the library.
Fred: Right. Come on.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
- SoundtracksScooby-Doo, Where Are You! (Main Title - Dutch Version)
Performed by Tony Neef
With less noticeable animation goofs in "A Clue for Scooby Doo" and one of the most atmospheric-looking of the whole show, especially with the genuinely spooky island and castle, the animation is lively, atmospheric and nicely drawn. There's better around but it's not bad at all, far from it, for late 1960s animation. The music adds to the impact the atmosphere creates, though there is nothing here that quite comes to the level of effectiveness of the incredibly eerie Ghost of Captain Cutler theme in "A Clue for Scooby Doo". And it is very difficult to resist the classic theme song that is one of the most iconic in animation.
Like the previous two episodes, and for almost all the episodes in the show, one of "A Hassle in the Castle's" biggest strengths is the atmosphere. This is definitely one of the spookiest and creepiest episodes, especially the setting and that nightmare-inducing laugh. Again, as with the previous two episodes, it's not all dark, spooky and creepy though, there is an ideal balance of mystery and comedy, and while the comedy is as ever sort of goofy and silly it's in an endearing sort of way and never annoying or juvenile. There is some hilarious writing here, much of it coming from Shaggy (love the exchange between him and the Creepy Talking Skull) and the funniest non-dialogue moments coming from Scooby like the standoff, the bit with the crab and with the magician's hat.
Apart from one of the least well-developed motivations of the show, there actually isn't really much of one (like he was doing it for the sake of it), the mystery is still interesting. There are some nice clues that carry the story nicely without being convoluted or simplistic and a case that's easy to follow and comprehend. It's formulaic, but not in a way that's overly predictable, which is true of Scooby Doo at its best or when it's still solid. Again the dark and creepy atmosphere helps enormously, as well as the humour, how well established the lead characters are and Shaggy and Scooby's charming, affecting and amusing friendship. The ghost is both hammy and eerie, and actually looks like a ghost rather than someone in a mask (or more accurately, under a sheet).
The sound effects add to the atmosphere, and the voice acting, again especially from Don Messick and Casey Kasem who are the definitive Scooby and Shaggy, is very good.
Overall, a treat if not quite as good as the previous two episodes. 10/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jul 10, 2016
Details
- Runtime21 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1