This first episode is the third best of this series. This is largely due to the abnormally high level of quality writing and the overall sense of fun that absorbs every frame of this 40 min short.
The characterizations of Shaggy and Scooby are always well crafted but in this episode, for the first time, the script paints Daphne and Fred as two very believable characters with distinct personality traits while still retaining their behaviors from Where are You.
All their antics in the desert, from Fred seeing a mirage, to the two being bothered by someone in a cactus suit, to Daphne's reaction to Fred's sexist joke, are all a pure delight. Yes, there is a lot of filler but none of it is boring and it makes the 43 min episode feel like only 20 min. A highly recommended start to a series which episodes vary drastically in their quality.
6 Reviews
Decent but not great start for 'The New Scooby Doo Movies'
TheLittleSongbird14 August 2016
As a child, this reviewer did consider 'The New Scooby Doo Movies' as one of the better Scooby Doo shows. Still do think that, but also like it less than as a child because the problems are more noticeable, notably the guest stars and villains faring better than others.
Some of the guest stars are very entertaining, such as Sonny and Cher, Batman and Robin, Don Knotts, Sandy Duncan, Harlem Globetrotters, Laurel and Hardy and especially The Addams Family, others such as Cass Elliot and Speed Buggy not as memorable. A good deal of the villains are enjoyable and make an impression, though none are as iconic as the best villains in 'Scooby So Where are You' (still the best of the incarnations), others suffer from over-obvious real identities and not always believable motivations.
"The Ghastly Ghost Town" is a decent start for the show, but is not a great one, definitely could have been better. Some of the animation has some crude moments and noticeable goofs and the villains are not particularly memorable and the identities of the culprits are not surprising by any stretch of the imagination (a case of it could only have been them). Had mixed feelings on the story and The Three Stooges.
Story-wise, there are plenty of laughs, great atmosphere (especially with a fantastically creepy setting that one wishes was matched by better villains) and genuine sense of danger. It also does very well in maintaining the atmospheric and enjoyably silly spirit of 'Scooby Doo Where are You'. However, it does run out of steam and ideas towards the end, with the exception of the inventive final trap, with perhaps the plot feeling a bit too stretched, and the pacing loses tightness and drags at times. It was interesting in seeing The Three Stooges and while they're likable and have some amusing moments, they're never hilarious and they have been much funnier before.
On the other hand, other parts of the animation boasts some nice colour, smooth drawing and the characters look fine on the whole. The setting is wonderfully evoked in the visuals, actually feeling deserted and haunted. The music is haunting and energetic, with a catchy new theme tune if not as iconic as 'Scooby Doo Where are You's' theme tune. "The Ghastly Ghost Town" is smartly and humorously written, especially with Shaggy and Scooby, and there are some great moments here so it is a shame that it wasn't as consistent as it could have been.
As always, Shaggy and Scooby's friendship charms, amuses and affects and there is great chemistry within the gang. There are no problems to be had with Fred and Daphne, nor with Velma even if she is somewhat underused. The voice acting is fine, top notch even from Don Messick and Casey Kasem.
In summary, decent but not great. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Some of the guest stars are very entertaining, such as Sonny and Cher, Batman and Robin, Don Knotts, Sandy Duncan, Harlem Globetrotters, Laurel and Hardy and especially The Addams Family, others such as Cass Elliot and Speed Buggy not as memorable. A good deal of the villains are enjoyable and make an impression, though none are as iconic as the best villains in 'Scooby So Where are You' (still the best of the incarnations), others suffer from over-obvious real identities and not always believable motivations.
"The Ghastly Ghost Town" is a decent start for the show, but is not a great one, definitely could have been better. Some of the animation has some crude moments and noticeable goofs and the villains are not particularly memorable and the identities of the culprits are not surprising by any stretch of the imagination (a case of it could only have been them). Had mixed feelings on the story and The Three Stooges.
Story-wise, there are plenty of laughs, great atmosphere (especially with a fantastically creepy setting that one wishes was matched by better villains) and genuine sense of danger. It also does very well in maintaining the atmospheric and enjoyably silly spirit of 'Scooby Doo Where are You'. However, it does run out of steam and ideas towards the end, with the exception of the inventive final trap, with perhaps the plot feeling a bit too stretched, and the pacing loses tightness and drags at times. It was interesting in seeing The Three Stooges and while they're likable and have some amusing moments, they're never hilarious and they have been much funnier before.
On the other hand, other parts of the animation boasts some nice colour, smooth drawing and the characters look fine on the whole. The setting is wonderfully evoked in the visuals, actually feeling deserted and haunted. The music is haunting and energetic, with a catchy new theme tune if not as iconic as 'Scooby Doo Where are You's' theme tune. "The Ghastly Ghost Town" is smartly and humorously written, especially with Shaggy and Scooby, and there are some great moments here so it is a shame that it wasn't as consistent as it could have been.
As always, Shaggy and Scooby's friendship charms, amuses and affects and there is great chemistry within the gang. There are no problems to be had with Fred and Daphne, nor with Velma even if she is somewhat underused. The voice acting is fine, top notch even from Don Messick and Casey Kasem.
In summary, decent but not great. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Scooby and pals set off on a new course.
TOMASBBloodhound6 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I believe this was the first of the New Scooby Doo Movies which ran from 1972 to 1973. These were hour-long episodes normally shown in two parts over the course of back-to-back afternoons while I was growing up. The new angle here being the teaming up of the regular cast with one or more celebrity guests. Sometimes these guests were actual people, sometimes other cartoon characters. Sometimes these episodes were funny, sometimes not.
The Ghastly Ghost Town episode deals with the gang getting stranded of course, this time in the middle of the Texas desert near a ghost town amusement park owned by... yep, The Three Stooges. What are the stooges doing in such an environment? Don't ask. This series always gave us celebrities working odd jobs and turning up in strange places. You aren't supposed to ask. Of course, there is someone trying to make the place seem cursed or haunted, and its up to the gang to help the stooges get their park open again.
The celebrity gimmick in this series shifted the focus away from the ghosts and monsters, and this was often a problem as we see here. In this story we are presented with two villains, and only two possible culprits. There really is no unmasking in most of these episodes, and the identities of the villains are often determined early on. The most shocking thing about the villains here is that one of them was actually voiced by Ted Knight! Yes, that one! He did voice work on other episodes in this series, too. This episode has plenty of other dangers besides the two human villains. Wild animals seem to roam around the park, a giant mechanical dinosaur is on the prowl, an unknown assailant dressed in a cactus suit nearly strands Fred and Daphne in the desert, and there is plenty of action overall.
Others have mentioned the lesser quality of animation found here compared to that of the "Scooby Doo, Where Are You?" episodes from 69-70. True that, and there are also some blatant technical goofs present in these newer episodes. Notice how the gang sets out to find Velma who is supposedly missing.... as she's standing right next to Fred??? How do these things get missed? Were they that pressed for time that this couldn't have been fixed? Anyway, as the series goes, this one isn't too bad. Plenty of dangerous situations, as well as laughs. 7 of 10 stars.
The Hound.
The Ghastly Ghost Town episode deals with the gang getting stranded of course, this time in the middle of the Texas desert near a ghost town amusement park owned by... yep, The Three Stooges. What are the stooges doing in such an environment? Don't ask. This series always gave us celebrities working odd jobs and turning up in strange places. You aren't supposed to ask. Of course, there is someone trying to make the place seem cursed or haunted, and its up to the gang to help the stooges get their park open again.
The celebrity gimmick in this series shifted the focus away from the ghosts and monsters, and this was often a problem as we see here. In this story we are presented with two villains, and only two possible culprits. There really is no unmasking in most of these episodes, and the identities of the villains are often determined early on. The most shocking thing about the villains here is that one of them was actually voiced by Ted Knight! Yes, that one! He did voice work on other episodes in this series, too. This episode has plenty of other dangers besides the two human villains. Wild animals seem to roam around the park, a giant mechanical dinosaur is on the prowl, an unknown assailant dressed in a cactus suit nearly strands Fred and Daphne in the desert, and there is plenty of action overall.
Others have mentioned the lesser quality of animation found here compared to that of the "Scooby Doo, Where Are You?" episodes from 69-70. True that, and there are also some blatant technical goofs present in these newer episodes. Notice how the gang sets out to find Velma who is supposedly missing.... as she's standing right next to Fred??? How do these things get missed? Were they that pressed for time that this couldn't have been fixed? Anyway, as the series goes, this one isn't too bad. Plenty of dangerous situations, as well as laughs. 7 of 10 stars.
The Hound.
The Ghastly Ghost Town
Michael_Elliott3 December 2013
The New Scooby-Doo Movies (1972)
"The Ghastly Ghost Town"
The Mystery Machine breaks down in the middle of the desert and the gang soon realizes all sorts of strange animals. Soon they run into The Three Stooges who are running an amusement park, which is being taken over by a mechanical dinosaur and a large bat. "The Ghastly Ghost Town" was the first of twenty-four episodes that would be made over a two year period. I will say right up front that I was never a huge fan of this incarnation of Scooby but this one here offers up a few good moments. I think the strongest thing going here are the early scenes where Scooby and Shaggy are in the back of the van and keep noticing all sorts of strange things outside. Of course, Velma lets them know that what they're really seeing are small creatures but this here turns out not to be the truth. One of the problems I have with this episode is that the writing just isn't up to par with the previous series. I say this because the thing runs 43-minutes and runs out of gas about half way through so you're left with a lot of filler material that never really adds up to much entertainment. Another problem here is that the guest performers just aren't all that fun. Everything I love about The Three Stooge is pretty much missing here. Perhaps the producers were worried about having the Stooges smash each other around with kids watching but these Stooges just aren't all that much fun. Even the villains aren't all that memorable.
Episode: C+
"The Ghastly Ghost Town"
The Mystery Machine breaks down in the middle of the desert and the gang soon realizes all sorts of strange animals. Soon they run into The Three Stooges who are running an amusement park, which is being taken over by a mechanical dinosaur and a large bat. "The Ghastly Ghost Town" was the first of twenty-four episodes that would be made over a two year period. I will say right up front that I was never a huge fan of this incarnation of Scooby but this one here offers up a few good moments. I think the strongest thing going here are the early scenes where Scooby and Shaggy are in the back of the van and keep noticing all sorts of strange things outside. Of course, Velma lets them know that what they're really seeing are small creatures but this here turns out not to be the truth. One of the problems I have with this episode is that the writing just isn't up to par with the previous series. I say this because the thing runs 43-minutes and runs out of gas about half way through so you're left with a lot of filler material that never really adds up to much entertainment. Another problem here is that the guest performers just aren't all that fun. Everything I love about The Three Stooge is pretty much missing here. Perhaps the producers were worried about having the Stooges smash each other around with kids watching but these Stooges just aren't all that much fun. Even the villains aren't all that memorable.
Episode: C+
Ghastly Ghost Town
MrFilmAndTelevisionShow20 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Not, in my opinion the greatest start to these Scooby-Doo Movies, but it wasn't bad, Moe was rather funny in my opinion, the animation seemed cruder than the original series.
The mystery itself was a little but meh, Shaggy tries to take Uranium home with him, how is that a good idea!
The mystery itself was a little but meh, Shaggy tries to take Uranium home with him, how is that a good idea!
A Rough Start to The New Scooby-Doo Movies
kaukau11 October 2020
This is a rough episode of television. In general I'm finding the New Scooby-Doo Movies not to be that great; this one has got to be one of the worse ones, but also really highlights some of the general flaws of the New Movies. In no particular order:
The Stooges were not particularly funny - it's possible I just don't "get" the Stooges, my parents were Marx Brothers fans so I never saw any of their movies growing up - but I suspect this is a particularly weak turn for them. In their defense, at least everyone still knows who the Three Stooges are, unlike episode 4's Jonathan Winters.
A broader problem with the way they do guest stars is that so much time is devoted to introducing and giving laugh lines to the guests, that we don't really get a good introduction to the eventual villains. Not like the villains had a ton of depth in the original show, but the big reveal is less fun in the New Movies because more time had to be spent on the guests at the expense of the bad guys.
The writers seem to have struggled to spin the original Scooby-Doo format out from 23 to 45 minutes. The original series generally has really tight pacing, starting with a tease of the monster, then a series of spooky encounters and clues, leading up to a big reveal. Here, they try and do a mid-act mini-reveal of some sort but it never really lands.
This episode in particular (or at least the copy that's available on Boomerang) has several glaring continuity errors in the middle that make it difficult to follow. It seems like Velma's Act 2 disappearance was shuffled late in production - she disappears, then everyone goes to search for her, but for one quick shot she's back with the group. Later when Shaggy and Scooby are rescuing everyone, they say they're rescuing Velma, but at that point they already know that she's been reunited with Fred, Daphne, and the Stooges.
There's also some plot points that are just really bizarre! I wasn't able to follow what the backstory of the massive, extraordinarily sophisticated dinosaur vehicle was, or why the bad guys had a literal bat mobile.
The show definitely still has its moments, and the performances from the series regulars is great as always. Shaggy and Scooby are hilarious, and the whole gang are great characters that you really do enjoy watching look for clues. Unfortunately, this episode's flaws mostly drag down the fun parts.
The Stooges were not particularly funny - it's possible I just don't "get" the Stooges, my parents were Marx Brothers fans so I never saw any of their movies growing up - but I suspect this is a particularly weak turn for them. In their defense, at least everyone still knows who the Three Stooges are, unlike episode 4's Jonathan Winters.
A broader problem with the way they do guest stars is that so much time is devoted to introducing and giving laugh lines to the guests, that we don't really get a good introduction to the eventual villains. Not like the villains had a ton of depth in the original show, but the big reveal is less fun in the New Movies because more time had to be spent on the guests at the expense of the bad guys.
The writers seem to have struggled to spin the original Scooby-Doo format out from 23 to 45 minutes. The original series generally has really tight pacing, starting with a tease of the monster, then a series of spooky encounters and clues, leading up to a big reveal. Here, they try and do a mid-act mini-reveal of some sort but it never really lands.
This episode in particular (or at least the copy that's available on Boomerang) has several glaring continuity errors in the middle that make it difficult to follow. It seems like Velma's Act 2 disappearance was shuffled late in production - she disappears, then everyone goes to search for her, but for one quick shot she's back with the group. Later when Shaggy and Scooby are rescuing everyone, they say they're rescuing Velma, but at that point they already know that she's been reunited with Fred, Daphne, and the Stooges.
There's also some plot points that are just really bizarre! I wasn't able to follow what the backstory of the massive, extraordinarily sophisticated dinosaur vehicle was, or why the bad guys had a literal bat mobile.
The show definitely still has its moments, and the performances from the series regulars is great as always. Shaggy and Scooby are hilarious, and the whole gang are great characters that you really do enjoy watching look for clues. Unfortunately, this episode's flaws mostly drag down the fun parts.
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