Scooby-Doo Where Are You: Mystery Mask Mix-Up (1970)

 

A fun episode. 

In this episode Daphne buys a mysterious golden mask. However now the ghost of Zen Tuo is after the gang to get his mask back. 

There is a lot to enjoy about this episode. The use of Chinese mythology really helps make this episode stand out giving it a unique feel. The setting in Chinatown also helps give this episode a unique sense of atmosphere the separates it from all the dark mansions and swamps we are used to seeing the gang explore. As well as this sense of atmosphere, this episode also has some good humor. There is some great slapstick during the chase scene and the scene with the mouse also made me chuckle. This episode is also boosted by some surprisingly good action set pieces that give this a fun, breezy feel. This half an hour goes by incredibly quick and is full of fun moment after fun moment.

The chase song, I Can Make You Happy is a delightfully fun little pop-rock tune and complements the chase scene perfectly. It was written by Danny Janssen and Susan Steward and performed by George A. Robertson, Jr. (who did many of the chase songs from this era). 

My only real problem with this episode is a major one though. The villain is rather weak and unmemorable as are his minions. The designs of these characters and their voices do little to make them stand out among so many other Scooby villains. 

In 2000, this episode was adapted into a Little Golden Book as part of the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Adventures. This is the only book in that series to be an adaption of an episode. 

Despite weak villains, this is a very fun Scooby mystery that is a joy to watch.