Season 1
CBS (HBO Max)
November 15, 1969
Episode 10 – “Bedlam in the Big Top”
Max and Sampson, two circus acts have their bike snap. They believe it’s the work of the ghost clown. The mystery gang is driving along and run into Max and Sampson. They visit the circus and talk to the barker who explains that the ghost clown is haunting the circus and running off the carnies.
The ghost clown hypnotizes Scooby and has him walk the trapeze wire. Shaggy and Velma move a trampoline under Scooby. Velma throws Scoob an umbrella to help him balance. Scoob bounces up and down on the trampoline playfully, followed by Velma and Shaggy. Scooby lands in some balloons that rise him back into the air. The ghost clown throws darts at the balloons and pops them and Scoob falls.
Shaggy and Velma catch him with the help of moving the trampoline.
The ghost clown hypnotizes Daphne next, forcing her to ride a unicycle all over the place.
The gang try to wake her from her trance before she hurts herself. Once rescuing Daphne from the trance, the gang decide to hatch a plan to trap the ghost clown in a cage so he can be unmasked.
Will the gang capture and unmask the ghost clown? Who is the ghost clown and why are they haunting the circus?
Summary
This episode takes place in another entertaining backdrop: the circus. The idea of a clown that’s haunting the other carnival workers and then the mystery gang that work to unmask the villain is well done. The hypnotism is nice added touch including how Scooby and Shaggy use that to their advantage.
This is a fun episode that sees the gang forced into trances and doing dangerous, comedic acts. One of my favorite parts is Shaggy in lion tamer mode and Scoob saving him.
Overall episode rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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