“What an excellent day for an exorcism.” You don’t have to say that twice. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Doc Rotten, Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, Jeff Mohr, and guest hosts Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff and Crystal Cleveland – as they finally tackle one of the best and most influential horror movies in history, The Exorcist (1973) from director William Friedkin and writer William Peter Blatty.
Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 200 – The Exorcist (1973)
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Decades of Horror 1970s is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL (https://wickedhorrortv.com/) which now includes video episodes of the podcast and is available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, and its online website across all OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop.
When a young girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two Catholic priests to save her life.
- Director: William Friedkin
- Writer: William Peter Blatty (written for the screen by, from the novel by)
- Cinematographer: Owen Roizman; Billy Williams (Mosul sequences)
- Editing by: Norman Gay, Evan A. Lottman (as Evan Lottman), Bud S. Smith (Iraq sequence), Jordan Leondopoulos (supervising field editor)
- Art Direction-Set Decoration: Bill Malley, Jerry Wunderlich
- Sound: Robert Knudson, Christopher Newman
- Makeup Department:
- Dick Smith (makeup artist)
- Robert Laden (special makeup effects artist) (uncredited)
- William A. Farley (hair stylist) (as Bill Farley)
- Special Effects:
- Marcel Vercoutere (special effects)
- Rick Baker (special effects assistant) (uncredited)
- Composer: Jack Nitzsche (composer: additional music)
- Selected Cast:
- Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil
- Max von Sydow as Father Merrin
- Lee J. Cobb as Lt. Kinderman
- Kitty Winn as Sharon
- Jack MacGowran as Burke Dennings
- Jason Miller as Father Karras
- Linda Blair as Regan
- William O’Malley as Father Dyer (credited as Reverend William O’Malley S.J.)
- Barton Heyman as Dr. Klein
- Peter Masterson as Dr. Barringer – Clinic Director (as Pete Masterson)
- Rudolf Schündler as Karl
- Gina Petrushka as Willi
- Robert Symonds as Dr. Taney
- Arthur Storch as Psychiatrist
- Thomas Bermingham as Tom – President of University (as Reverend Thomas Bermingham S.J.)
- Vasiliki Maliaros as Karras’ Mother
- Titos Vandis as Karras’ Uncle
- John Mahon as Language Lab Director
- Wallace Rooney as Bishop Michael
- Ron Faber as Chuck – Assistant Director / Demonic Voice
- Donna Mitchell as Mary Jo Perrin
- Roy Cooper as Jesuit Dean
- Robert Gerringer as Senator at Party
- Dick Callinan as Astronaut (uncredited)
- Elinore Blair as Nurse (uncredited)
- William Peter Blatty as The Producer (uncredited)
- Mercedes McCambridge as Demon (voice)
- Eileen Dietz as Demon’s Face (uncredited)
- Ann Miles as Spiderwalk (uncredited)
- Vincent Russell as Subway Vagrant (uncredited)
It’s finally time to discuss The Exorcist (1973). The 70s Grue Crew have waited 200 episodes to tackle what is arguably the most influential horror film of the decade and beyond. The regular cast of “characters” have invited a few friends to enjoy the extra-long conversation: Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff, co-host of The Classic Era; and, Crystal Cleveland, the Livin6Dead6irl, co-host of the 80s. In other words, the whole damn family of Decades of Horror co-hosts are on hand for this one. Settle in for this in-depth look at director William Friedkin’s ultimate fright-fest and join the Grue Crew to celebrate 200 episodes of Decades of Horror 1970s.
At the time of this writing, The Exorcist is available to stream from MAX. The film is also available on physical media as The Exorcist 50th Anniversary Edition – Theatrical & Extended Director’s Cut (4K Ultra HD + Digital).
Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next episode, chosen by Chad, will be The Psychic, aka Sette note in nero, aka Murder to the Tune of the Seven Black Notes, aka Seven Notes in Black, released in Italy in 1977. This one is giallo, Fulci-style!
We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com.
Jeff has written for Horrornews.net and SQ Horror Magazine. He currently writes for Gruesome Magazine and is a co-host of the Decades of Horror podcasts - The Classic Era, 1970s, and 1980s - and the Gruesome Magazine Podcast.
