The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo

The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo is an interesting series, as it changes up the formula of the series to have real ghosts (which would be followed by three TV movies that would follow the formula). The series sees Scooby, alongside Daphne, Scooby, Scrappy, and new characters Flim Flam and Vincent Van Ghoul capture the 13 most powerful ghosts that have been released from the Chest of Demons due to Scooby opening it. This series basically gives the franchise a breath of fresh air, as after nearly two decades of the same old crook in the mask cliché, they finally bring in real ghosts who have powers that can pose an actual threat to the gang.

Some people hate this because of Scrappy-Doo, and as a Scrappy fan, I say the hate has gotten too far nowadays. He is tolerable here, as he was toned down for past series to where he is more mature and not yelling "Puppy Power" all the time. This show introduces Flim Flam, who adds to the comedy of the series with his con artist schemes. Also, Vincent Van Ghoul is a good mentor, voiced by the late Vincent Price, who is a real sorcerer, not the crazy, powerless old man that Curse of The 13th Ghost portrays him to be. Also, the show does a good job of keeping the comedy the franchise is known for, even adding some gags and fourth wall breaks (like a news report where Scappy puts a network censor in her place for wanting to remove a dragon, to a scene where Flim Flam leads the gang through a maze, causing them to recreate the gag of them going through different doors).

Sadly, this series was cancelled after only eleven of the thirteen ghosts were captured (not twelve, as Captain Ferguson was not counted until Curse Of The 13th Ghost rewrote the show's continuity) when the show ended after (ironically) 13 episodes. This is a good series and should be watched. A shame Warner Bros. decided to ruin its magic with the DTV movie, in which they ordered the toning down of the supernatural elements that made this unique and made it where the series never happened.

"13 Ghosts" is the ultimate Scooby series--the wildest, the creepiest, the zaniest, the most daring...even the most romantic! (See Daphne and Shaggy's hug in the first episode "To All the Ghouls I've Loved Before".) It is a delight to hear the late Vincent Price as Vincent VanGhoul. And Flim Flam is a fun new character in the tradition of Short Round from "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom". Daphne and Shaggy wore different clothes. Each episode, unlike the old mystery episodes, has a distinct plot, and the episodes are so clever that it's fun to watch them over and over again.

Scooby Doo had become a dismal show during my early childhood. Shifting the focus away from Freddy, Velma, and Daphne, that wretched Scrappy Doo took over star billing. Which was why it was so refreshing when this series came along. Although Scrappy was still part of the cast for this series, he was no longer the star, so he got pushed into the background as the new characters took stage. And Daphne, who was gradually worked back into the cast a year or two prior, finally returned full time with a new hairdo and outfit. Even Shaggy got new threads, turning in his patented green T-shirt for a red one.

The inspired casting of Vincent Price as Vincent Van Ghoul was enough to get me back on the bandwagon for new episodes. I had already become a fan of Price's films and the albums that he appeared on with Alice Cooper and Michael Jackson. In animated form, Vincent was as dignified as ever, and he added some charisma that had been missing from the previous series of the last few years. Among other new characters was Flim-Flam, the conniving kid with the Lots-of-Luck-Joy-Juice ("a lucky charm in a bottle"). Flim-Flam added the comic relief that Scrappy was supposed to have brought to the previous series. Which makes one wonder why Scrappy was still there. And the other new characters, ghosts Bogel and Weerd, were just hammy enough to blend with this great cast of characters.

Throughout the first few series, the ghosts and monsters were always a bad guy in a rubber mask. When they had exhausted those storylines, the ghosts became real, but many of us had tuned out (or stuck to reruns) by that time because of the annoying Scrappy Doo. This time around they were still real and Scooby and Shaggy, who were tricked into opening The Chest of Demons in the pilot, had to return all 13 ghosts back to the chest. Though more cartoonish than the monsters (masks) had been in the original series, all of the ghosts were well-designed and the storylines were more inventive than they had been in years. Episodes had the gang thrust into comic strips and mirrors; Vincent was under the spell of a beautiful demon in one episode and nearly turned to stone in another -- and in one episode Scooby even quit the show (and was replaced by another puppy) but was urged to come back by then-President Ronald Reagan in a spoof of "It's a Wonderful Life."

Out of all the incarnations of Scooby Doo, this one remains my favorite, which is probably why only 13 episodes were produced and they rarely get played. Hopefully they'll get a video release someday. If only they had dropped Scrappy and brought back Fred and Velma, it would have been perfect.. .

I've just discovered this on Virgin. (TV on Demand, Boomerang) It has my favourite pup, Scrappy, who still worships his Uncle Scoob, but has learned the art of running away. And he has a new friend called Film Flam - a street urchin. He doesn't bother me either. I didn't like the costume change for Shaggy, but he's just as goofy & lovable. Daphne also remains. However the stand out character is Vincent Van Ghoul, a warlock (played by Vincent Price) who lends magical aid to the gang. The annoying characters in the show are Weird & Bogle, who act as henchmen to the evil ghost of the episode - very cartoony, & as in the other Scrappy cartoons - real. (Sorry, I'm not that keen on the older fake ghost episodes.) And Scooby is Scooby. It's not the standard formula, but it's entertaining enough. Whether or not you like the younger characters, it's worth a look. 7/10

I at first never really cared for the whole scooby doo thing over the years. But out of nowhere this show arrived. And it was different in every way. First real ghosts and no people in costumed gave it a different approach taking a cue from Ghostbusters giving a dark atmosphere while maintaining the lightheartedness the series is known for. Although this only got 13 episodes (typical for an early show, we'll never see what ghost 12 or 13 was), it is still a good show. The voice acting is spot on (especially for Casey Kasem doing Shaggy), but the show stealer is Vincent Price with his comic serious demeanor and dark tone, he gives it life. You owe it to yourself to watch...

Vincent Price: "The Thirteen Ghosts of Scooby Doo!"