The Scooby-Doo Project

1999 was responsible for many iconic pieces of cinema, such as the groundbreaking work that inspired much love for leather, The Matrix, or the adventure romp responsible for many bisexual awakenings, The Mummy. While that year had plenty of iconic works that did not begin with the word “The”, one that stuck in people’s memories was a low-budget affair that made a big splash; The Blair Witch Project.

For those who do not know, this feature from directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez was a pseudo-documentary composed of footage found in the discarded cameras of three missing film students. The footage shows the trio – Heather, Mike, and Josh – hiking in the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland, to shoot a documentary about a local myth known as the Blair Witch.

From its Midnight Screening premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23^rd 1999, to its cinematic release just six-months-later, the film was a sleeper hit. Part of the reason was due to how it was marketed, utilizing faux police reports and advertising missing persons posters to present its events as real. Heightening the sense was how cast members Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, and Joshua Leonard were told to keep a low profile to maintain the appearance that they were missing or deceased.

It is no wonder that debates raged about whether the film was a documentary or fictional, yet it also kept the film within the public consciousness. It was referenced in many different places including The Simpsons, Scary Movie, and even parodied in an episode of L.A. 7, the second series starring British band S Club 7. Yet, possibly the height of the parody arrived on October 31^st 1999 in unsuspecting fashion during Cartoon Network’s Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! marathon.

After The Blair Witch Project became a massive success, three Cartoon Network animators pooled together their resources to make a satire of the phenomenon that would air during the marathon. It is worth mentioning that one of the animators was Chris “Casper” Kelly, the bizarre mind behind Too Many Cooks, Adult Swim Yule Log, and the Cheddar Goblin sequence in the Nicolas Cage masterpiece, Mandy.

Known as The Scooby-Doo Project, the special would air in sketch format within intro and outro bumps, while also intending to make sense when compiled together. The story saw the members of Mystery Inc. arrive at Casper County to find a monster haunting the woods. But, like the found-footage film, things go awry in the woods courtesy of spooky occurrences, rising tempers, and a constant recording of unfolding circumstances.

In a world where Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood & Honey exists, the idea of putting beloved cartoon characters within a horror premise feels a bit more recognisable. The Scooby-Doo Project takes an understandably different approach, considering this work had to be appropriate enough to air on Cartoon Network, yet that does not mean that the edges have been dulled in any way. Images interspersed throughout includes news footage showing the Mystery Machine abandoned, and officers searching through discovered items, including a box of Scooby Snacks. It is unthinkable that Fred would abandon his beloved vehicle, or that Shaggy and Scooby would leave behind such a precious treat. These little moments hammer home the horrifying idea that such childhood icons have taken the place of Heather, Josh, and Mike, complete with an unknowable sense regarding their fate.

The Halloween special is filmed in live-action, with the characters of Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby depicted in animated form. But, despite how the familiar characters are brought alive, this does not feel cartoonish like a traditional episode of the show. When tensions rise, the fights feel more personal as the characters mock catchphrases, dress senses, and Velma constantly losing her glasses. It feels frighteningly real, as though long-simmering resentments are bursting out due to the situation looking dire, and leaves one longing for respite in the form of a giant sandwich being devoured.

Thankfully, there are light-hearted moments courtesy of humorous twists on what is expected. It is much needed to hear Fred lament over how long it has been since he pulled off someone’s mask, Shaggy horrified at the idea of stale Scooby snacks, or the appearance of the franchise’s most controversial element – Scrappy Doo (provided you watch the Extended Edition).

It makes for a hilarious spoof that faithfully honours the original, right down to giving the iconic moments their own comedic edge. But it is difficult to shake off the chilling ending which shows a missing persons poster for the familiar characters. It may show little in the grand scheme of things, but the implications are massive regarding the fates of these beloved stars who, at that point, had been entertaining families for 30 years. It is difficult to imagine a world where this did not terrify young viewers, yet it remains a wonderfully fresh entry into a long-running franchise that deserved its Annie Award win.