Almost every child at one point has been afraid to go in the basement, but I'm not sure they were all afraid of the evil, maggot-spewing zombie, Dr. Fruedstein, living down there. I remember one scene in particular where Bob, a young child, hears the screams of his babysitter Anne. Picking up a stuffed animal and a toy gun Bob goes to "rescue Anne." We proceed to watch Anne's throat slashed and her head eventually decapitated. Bob arrives just in time to watch his babysitter's head roll down the steps. Traumatizing for any kid I'd say!
Bob was as scary as the rest of the movie.