The Exorcist: Demonic Possession, Mass Hysteria, and NYC’s Unsolved Murders

DISGRACELAND

Jake Brennan

Society & Culture, Music, True Crime

4.6 • 13.1K Ratings

🗓️ 28 October 2025

⏱️ 41 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

William Friedkin's film The Exorcist terrified audiences upon its release in 1973. They fainted, vomited, and went into hysterics in the theaters. Some overwhelmed viewers left early, only to return the next day, buying another ticket to see if they could make it to the end. But the story behind The Exorcist is just as compelling as the story on the screen. The film's production was marred by tragedy and the unpredictable behavior of its volatile director. The novel the film was based on became a best seller largely by happenstance. And the events that inspired the novel were so horrific and shameful that one man would spend his entire life trying to keep them a secret. To see the full list of contributors, see the show notes at ⁠www.disgracelandpod.com⁠. This episode was originally published on October 28, 2024. The Exorcist is certainly one of the scariest movies and books ever created. What is the scariest book you've ever read? Let Jake know at 617-906-6638, ⁠disgracelandpod@gmail.com⁠, or on socials @disgracelandpod. To listen to Disgraceland ad free and get access to an exclusive mini episode about the music created for The Exorcist, become a Disgraceland All Access member at ⁠⁠disgracelandpod.com⁠. Sign up for our newsletter and get the inside dirt on events, merch and other awesomeness - ⁠GET THE NEWSLETTER⁠ Follow Jake and DISGRACELAND: ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠X⁠ (formerly Twitter) ⁠Facebook Fan Group⁠ ⁠TikTok To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is brought to you by Disgraceland All Access and the listeners who support this show through Patreon and Apple Podcasts.
0:07.2	You can become a supporting member of Disgraceland and receive ad-free and exclusive content by signing up today for just $5 a month before prices go up at the end of October.
0:16.5	To become an all-access member, go to disgracelandpod.com.
0:23.1	Disgraceland is a production of Double Elvis.
0:38.3	This is a story about a movie.
0:44.3	It's a movie we've all heard of, and most of us, I'm guessing, have seen The Exorcist.
0:48.4	It's actually a story about a story connected to that movie.
0:50.7	It's the story of possession.
0:53.0	It's a story of murder.
0:58.5	A story about depravity and lies. And it's a story about evil. But it's also about loneliness and identity. About a film so impactful, it caused people
1:07.5	to faint and vomit when they first saw it.
1:15.3	And yes, it's a story about a movie that contained a great score.
1:17.3	Great music.
1:22.7	Unlike that music I played for you at the top of the show, that wasn't great music.
1:30.2	That was a preset loop from a Melotron called Diabolical Dance Time, MK1.
1:36.4	I played you that loop because I can't afford the rights to the most beautiful girl by Charlie Rich.
1:43.7	And why would I play you that specific slice of George Costanza singing cheese, could I afford it?
1:48.4	Because that was the number one song in America.
1:51.2	On December 26, 1973,
1:55.3	and that was the day The Exorcist opened in theaters.
2:02.6	A film that sickened everyone from Catholics to agnostics living in denial of the existence of true evil.
2:11.9	On this episode, demonic possession, cold-blooded murder, hauntings, curses, sickened audiences,
	...

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