The Exorcist: Demonic Possession, Mass Hysteria, and NYC’s Unsolved Murders
The Exorcist: Demonic Possession, Mass Hysteria, and NYC’s Unsolved Murders
2Digest
The podcast "Discreet Slam" delves into the real story behind the iconic horror film "The Exorcist." It begins by discussing the Catholic Church's stance on exorcism and the rarity of true demonic possession. The episode then reveals the true story of Ronnie Hunkler, a young boy who underwent an exorcism in 1949, which inspired the novel and film "The Exorcist." The podcast explores how Hunkler's story became the inspiration for the novel, highlighting its success and the film's impact on audiences. It then focuses on William Peter Blattie, the author of "The Exorcist," and his journey from learning about Hunkler's story to writing the novel and its subsequent success. The episode delves into the making of the film "The Exorcist," highlighting William Friedkin's vision, his obsession with realism, and the challenges he faced during production. The podcast then reveals the dark secret of Paul Bateson, an extra in "The Exorcist," who was later discovered to be a murderer. The episode connects Bateson to the "Bag Murders," a series of unsolved murders of gay men in New York City, and explores his life and the events leading up to his arrest. Finally, the episode reveals the shocking truth about Ronald Hunkler, the inspiration for "The Exorcist," and his confession of faking his demonic possession.
Outlines
The Exorcist: Fact and Fiction
This episode explores the true story behind the movie "The Exorcist," examining the real-life exorcism that inspired the film and the dark secrets of those involved.
The Exorcist: A Story of Possession and Evil
The episode delves into the story behind the movie "The Exorcist," exploring themes of demonic possession, murder, depravity, and the impact of the film on audiences.
Exorcism: A Real Practice
The episode discusses the Catholic Church's stance on exorcism, highlighting the role of exorcists like Father Vincent Lampert and the rarity of true demonic possession.
The Real Story Behind "The Exorcist"
The episode reveals the true story of Ronnie Hunkler, a young boy who underwent an exorcism in 1949, which inspired the novel and film "The Exorcist."
The Exorcist's Inspiration and Impact
The episode explores how Ronnie Hunkler's story became the inspiration for "The Exorcist," highlighting the novel's success and the film's impact on audiences.
Keywords
Exorcism
The religious or spiritual practice of driving out a demon or evil entity from a possessed person. It involves rituals, prayers, and the use of holy objects.
Demonic Possession
The belief that a person's body or mind is controlled by a malevolent spirit or demon. It is often associated with supernatural phenomena and religious beliefs.
The Exorcist
A 1973 horror film based on William Peter Blattie's novel of the same name. It tells the story of a young girl possessed by a demon and the priests who attempt to exorcise her.
Roland Doe
The pseudonym used for Ronnie Hunkler, the real-life boy whose exorcism inspired "The Exorcist."
William Peter Blattie
The author of the novel "The Exorcist," who was inspired by the true story of Ronald Hunkler's exorcism.
William Friedkin
The director of the film "The Exorcist," known for his obsession with realism and his use of practical effects.
Paul Bateson
An extra in "The Exorcist" who was later discovered to be a murderer, connected to the "Bag Murders" in New York City.
Bag Murders
A series of unsolved murders of gay men in New York City during the 1970s, where the victims' body parts were found in plastic bags.
Q&A
What is the true story behind the movie "The Exorcist"?
The movie was inspired by the real-life exorcism of a young boy named Ronnie Hunkler in 1949. Hunkler's story, however, was later revealed to be a fabrication.
How did William Peter Blattie's novel "The Exorcist" become a bestseller?
The novel gained popularity after Blattie appeared on the Dick Cavett Show, replacing a drunk Robert Shaw, and spoke about the book for 40 minutes.
What were William Friedkin's motivations for making "The Exorcist"?
Friedkin wanted to make a better movie than his friend Francis Coppola, he was emboldened by his recent Oscar win, and he wanted the film to feel real and authentic.
What is the connection between Paul Bateson and the "Bag Murders"?
Bateson, an extra in "The Exorcist," was later discovered to be a murderer, and authorities attempted to link him to the "Bag Murders," a series of unsolved murders of gay men in New York City.
What is the truth about Ronald Hunkler's demonic possession?
Hunkler, the inspiration for "The Exorcist," confessed to fabricating his demonic possession story before his death.
Show Notes
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.
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.
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