Apropos of nothing, I’d like to talk about the best Scooby Doo monster: The Creeper. The Creeper was more than a guy in a Frankenstein’s Monster costume and a bad Beatles wig. He was a guy in a Frankenstein’s Monster costume and a bad Beatles wig who robbed the same bank, over and over again. Rather than put more guards into the bank, or post someone in the center of the vault, the bank manager accepted the most likely explanation of the robberies: the robber was a spectre.
I enjoy the Creeper for many reasons. His fashion sense (black turtleneck sweaters are always in style). His uneven eyes. But mostly, I like him for his call.
“Creeeeeeper. CREEEEEPUUUR!” *
It takes a special monster to yell his own name and be scary. You never saw Dracula jumping out at someone and yelling “DRACULA!” He’d be laughed at. And did anyone ever hear Freddy Kreuger or Jason Vorhees yell their own names while eviscerating teen victims?
Fast forward to 7:05 for the Creeper’s appearance and yell. Also, enjoy the song “I’m in Love with an Ostrich” which accompanies the Creepers chase of The Gang.
*Note: My lifelong belief that he was yelling “Creeper” has been undone by Jaye Wells. Leave it to someone who refers to her son as “Spawn” to point out that the Creeper was actually yelling “Paper.” Paper? Yeah, maybe he was just a writer. In fact, I think I like him even more because of that.