The Collectors showcases extraordinary collections and the individuals behind them. Do you know a collector who deserves to be featured in this series? Reach out to Kelly.Provost@cbc.ca.
Alexa Lawlor has amassed an extensive array of Scooby-Doo memorabilia, losing count of the exact number of items in her collection. The 28-year-old resident of Regina has not kept track of the total expenditure on her collection and has yet to have it formally evaluated.
For Lawlor, the essence of collecting goes beyond mere quantity or acquiring every Scooby-Doo item available. She emphasizes that each item in her collection holds a personal significance or intriguing backstory.
“If an item lacks a story, it doesn’t make it into my collection,” Lawlor noted. “I can usually recall where I obtained it, why it matters to me, or what makes it special.”
Lawlor’s recollection of the collection’s inception is somewhat hazy. She first encountered Scooby-Doo through her brother’s VHS tape and a small toy won at a fair during her childhood.
Captured by Affection
Her affection for Scooby-Doo ignited when she instantly fell in love with the toy. Growing up in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Scooby-Doo became a prevalent gift choice due to the release of live-action movies, propelling Lawlor’s collection journey.
She described the collection’s expansion as gradual, eventually spreading throughout her home. Reflecting on her childhood photos, Lawlor humorously mentioned that Scooby-Doo items were omnipresent.
The realization of the collection’s sheer size struck Lawlor in recent years when she finally had ample space to exhibit everything. Her living room now hosts the collection, spanning eight bookshelves and extending into the kitchen and hallway areas.
Lawlor’s penchant for vintage items is evident in her collection, consisting of jigsaw puzzles, VHS tapes, dolls, figurines, action figures, and plush toys. Additionally, she possesses character reference guides used by Hanna-Barbera staff, a character model sheet, a Scooby-Doo film storyboard, and a framed comic book ad promoting the original TV show, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, from 1969.
Moreover, Lawlor treasures a print of a Scooby-Doo scene autographed by Hanna-Barbera founders William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, along with Iwao Takamoto, the original animator of the Scooby-Doo characters.
Daring Pursuits
Upon entering Lawlor’s living room, visitors are greeted by a sizable cardboard display featuring the Scooby-Doo gang and the Mystery Machine, dominating an entire wall. Lawlor acquired this eye-catching piece from a Spirit Halloween store after persuading the staff to sell it to her.
Currently, Lawlor primarily sources new additions to her collection from online marketplaces, second-hand stores, flea markets, antique markets, and garage sales. She humorously refers to her keen eye for spotting potential additions as her ‘Scooby Sense.’
Lawlor recollected a memorable incident at the Calgary Stampede where she successfully convinced a man who had just won a large Scooby-Doo stuffed toy at a game of chance to sell it to her. The man readily agreed, showcasing his confidence in his game-playing skills.
Embarking on podcasting during the pandemic, Lawlor launched The Unmasked History of Scooby-Doo. Leveraging her journalism background and communication expertise, she seized the opportunity to delve into her passion for the franchise.
She noted that the decline in physical media led to a lack of special features that she enjoyed, inspiring her to bridge this gap through podcast interviews with individuals linked to the Scooby-Doo series. Notably, Lawlor had the privilege of interviewing Frank Welker, known for voicing “Fred” in the original show and subsequently voicing Scooby-Doo.
Reflecting on the franchise’s allure, Lawlor highlighted how the show’s 22-minute episodes take viewers on an engaging journey. She emphasized the relatability of the characters and the blend of suspense and humor that captivate audiences of all ages.
“Scooby-Doo resonated with me as a child because it was fun and intriguing. The monsters could be scary, but the revelation of a culprit in disguise always brought a sense of security,” Lawlor shared.</p