Definitely one of the classic episodes of 'Scooby Doo Where are You', which still holds up as the best Scooby Doo incarnation as well as being historically significant for being the one that started it all.
What is so great about "A Night of Fright is No Delight" is the ingenious mix of comedy and atmosphere. There is not a more suspenseful scene in the history of Scooby Doo than the one with the piano and walls, which is enough to bite the nails and make the heart go in one's mouth. The introduction of the phantom shadow is one of the show's scariest moments too, one feels awful for poor Scooby who looks so petrified one worries he'll die of fright and the viewer is every bit as terrified as a result.
The episode is rich in atmosphere, with a great house setting, an atmosphere reminiscent of 'House on Haunted Hill' and Agatha Christie somewhat and a high level of suspense and creepiness. The phantoms are very believable villains, with a cool look and unforgettably nightmare-haunting laughs. They are undermined a little by the true identity of those responsible and the motive being so easily predicted five minutes in, but there is honestly far worse in the series with villains that don't make anywhere near as much impact as the phantoms here did.
"A Night of Fright is No Delight" has some genuinely funny, and even hilarious moments, the metal drain pipe, Shaggy and Scooby's disguises and the whole scene in the underground cave with Shaggy, Scooby and Velma stand out in particular, as well as the final trap which is one of the most entertaining and most inventive. The story is never confusing and always easy to follow while also never being intelligence-insultingly obvious. The dialogue and jokes are endearingly silly and basically vintage Scooby Doo, as has been said in my previous reviews for the show's episodes.
Shaggy and Scooby never fail to bring a smile to my face, likewise with their ceaselessly charming chemistry, and Fred, Velma and Daphne are no less enjoyable either. Also loved, agreed, the smarter and more intuitive Shaggy, which was such a refreshing change of pace. As always, Don Messick, Casey Kasem and Frank Welker stand out of the voice acting, Messick and Kasem are without equal as Scooby and Shaggy and one cannot believe that it's been nearly 50 years and Welker's still voicing Fred with no signs of fatigue or inconsistency.
The animation is lively, atmospheric, lushly coloured and nicely drawn as always. The music adds to the impact the atmosphere creates, and it is very difficult to resist the classic theme song, along with the opening credits where it is so fun spotting and recognising the villains, that is one of the most iconic in animation.
In summary, always was one of my favourite episodes when younger and still frights and delights as a young adult. Definitely in the top 10 best 'Scooby Doo Where are You' episodes. 10/10 Bethany Cox
