As a child, "The Haunted Horseman in Hagglethorn Hall" was one of my favourites of 'The New Scooby Doo Movies'. Re-watching it through older eyes (though not much older), like with "Sandy Duncan Meets Jekyll and Hyde" and "The Secret of Shark Island" it's not anymore.
There have been episodes like "The Spooky Fog of Juneberry" that were much better on re-watch, and ones that have always been favourites like the Batman and Robin episodes, "Scooby Doo meets Laurel and Hardy" (or "The Ghost of Bigfoot") and "Wednesday is Missing", have always really enjoyed "The Frickert Fracas". There have also been episodes that have never been favourites, like the Jerry Reed, Josie and the Pussycats and Jeannie (the latter has always seemed out of place to me and doesn't really feel enough like Scooby Doo).
Just for the record, "The Haunted Horseman in Hagglethorn Hall" is not a bad episode, quite a lot of it is enjoyable actually. At the same time, the flaws are more noticeable. It is agreed that the episode does feel too long, so pacing suffers and some of the story feels over-stretched. There have also been far better and better-used guest stars than Davy Jones, Batman and Robin, Laurel and Hardy, Sonny and Cher and The Addams Family in particular were excellent guest stars, while there were others where the guest appearances get in the way of the mystery somewhat.
On the other hand, Jones is pretty dull here, is not very memorable and feels underused, a case of feeling lost or being swamped within the episode. The least forgettable asset about his appearance is his take on the song from "Mystery Mask Mix Up", an interesting variation but it is far more memorable in that episode. While there are definitely far worse-looking episodes before and since this episode, the animation is not great, nice atmosphere and colours but still rather crude, flat and not as smooth as it could be. Also had mixed feelings on the villains, the ghostly horseman is a very creepy villain and pretty cool, much better used than the frog-like moat monster who isn't as interesting but is hardly bad. They are let down however by the identities of the perpetrators being so obvious and given away far too early.
However, the music is haunting and energetic and the theme tune is catchy and infectious. There is a good balance of mystery, atmosphere and humour, all done reasonably well. The mystery has pacing and length issues, but is intriguing enough and have a very creepy atmosphere even by adult standards. The humour from Shaggy and Scooby is very humorous and funny, goofy but endearingly so. Still love their friendship, that always shines even in lesser episodes or incarnations. The rest of the gang are not as interesting or as filled with personality, but still serve a point to the story and do it well.
Voice acting is good, the unbeatable Don Messick and Casey Kasem again being standouts and are actually terrific, there has not been anybody better in those roles than those two. Frank Welker is also solid and is still remarkably consistent now, even being the longest serving voice actor having been there from the very beginning.
In conclusion, decent episode, just not as good as remembered. 7/10 Bethany Cox
There have been episodes like "The Spooky Fog of Juneberry" that were much better on re-watch, and ones that have always been favourites like the Batman and Robin episodes, "Scooby Doo meets Laurel and Hardy" (or "The Ghost of Bigfoot") and "Wednesday is Missing", have always really enjoyed "The Frickert Fracas". There have also been episodes that have never been favourites, like the Jerry Reed, Josie and the Pussycats and Jeannie (the latter has always seemed out of place to me and doesn't really feel enough like Scooby Doo).
Just for the record, "The Haunted Horseman in Hagglethorn Hall" is not a bad episode, quite a lot of it is enjoyable actually. At the same time, the flaws are more noticeable. It is agreed that the episode does feel too long, so pacing suffers and some of the story feels over-stretched. There have also been far better and better-used guest stars than Davy Jones, Batman and Robin, Laurel and Hardy, Sonny and Cher and The Addams Family in particular were excellent guest stars, while there were others where the guest appearances get in the way of the mystery somewhat.
On the other hand, Jones is pretty dull here, is not very memorable and feels underused, a case of feeling lost or being swamped within the episode. The least forgettable asset about his appearance is his take on the song from "Mystery Mask Mix Up", an interesting variation but it is far more memorable in that episode. While there are definitely far worse-looking episodes before and since this episode, the animation is not great, nice atmosphere and colours but still rather crude, flat and not as smooth as it could be. Also had mixed feelings on the villains, the ghostly horseman is a very creepy villain and pretty cool, much better used than the frog-like moat monster who isn't as interesting but is hardly bad. They are let down however by the identities of the perpetrators being so obvious and given away far too early.
However, the music is haunting and energetic and the theme tune is catchy and infectious. There is a good balance of mystery, atmosphere and humour, all done reasonably well. The mystery has pacing and length issues, but is intriguing enough and have a very creepy atmosphere even by adult standards. The humour from Shaggy and Scooby is very humorous and funny, goofy but endearingly so. Still love their friendship, that always shines even in lesser episodes or incarnations. The rest of the gang are not as interesting or as filled with personality, but still serve a point to the story and do it well.
Voice acting is good, the unbeatable Don Messick and Casey Kasem again being standouts and are actually terrific, there has not been anybody better in those roles than those two. Frank Welker is also solid and is still remarkably consistent now, even being the longest serving voice actor having been there from the very beginning.
In conclusion, decent episode, just not as good as remembered. 7/10 Bethany Cox
