CaptainHowdy.com The #1 Exorcist Fansite Since 1999
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Thanks fada for such an in-depth analysis. Never realized it was so complicated an issue. Is it possible that something was cut from the final and remained cut in the new version that would had explained this. Perhaps a take showing the new cig being lit? I am not clear if you have ruled that out or not? Also, you believe inserting a close-up of Chris taking a second cigarette would not work?
Hiya Witch,
Q. “Is it possible that something was cut from the final and remained cut in the new version that would had explained this. Perhaps a take showing the new cig being lit?”
A. I am ruling that out because of the script (I have an original altered and final version). Plus, if you watch the scene, it does have continuity in the speech between Chris and Karras and an additional scene asking for another cigarette didn’t happen and would not work. Why? Well, if you look closely at the length of the burning cigarette throughout the entire scene, you’ll see it starts off at full length. Chris smokes about half of it when she and Karras are talking in that one long shot scene that includes stomping out the smoke. The cigarette Chris is smoking in the continuity flub is at the half-way point. Therefore, that’s not indicative of a request for a new cigarette. It’s just a continuity issue.
Q. “Also, you believe inserting a close-up of Chris taking a second cigarette would not work?”
A. Based on my first answer to your first question, the answer is no. Most importantly, if that scene was never shot, it’s impossible to go back and re-film because of Burstyn’s age and the demise of Miller. I believe the “angle” you are shooting for is one in which we just show another cigarette being handed over to Chris from Karras in an extremely tight closeup of just hands sans the words that would go along with it. Well, that wouldn’t work either because, as I stated above, the cigarette is half-way smoked. Karras is a priest, so I know he didn’t deprive her of a full cigarette. 😉
I really do believe in TVYNS, WB would have made someone fix the continuity error because it’s been talked about for so many years. Plus, it’s noticeably by the less hardcore fans of The Exorcist just as much as us.
I hope that helps and ends our mystery of the “reappearing smoke!” 🙂
Oh, Witch, the statement you are replying to is a “tongue-in-cheek” statement. The issue here is really not about “using CGI to paint out the cig.” The issue is one of continuity. Shit happens in filming and this just so happened to be a highlight scene in The Exorcist.
Well its case closed I guess, except for the following statement?:
Karras is a priest, so I know he didn’t deprive her of a full cigarette.
Oh really?
So then using CGI to paint out the cig is the only option? What a shame? I am not betting to see it removed in any new release any time soon.
Are you sure that’s Dietz with the makeup ripped away? It seems to be Linda in the shot immediately preceeding, when her head is turned to her left and the vomit begins to ooze. Then she turns to her right–towards Merrin–and that’s Dietz?
Father, the photo above has me thinking of the poor art department who would have been busy filling each shot, not thinking of this kind of stuff (the soaps, etc..)
Ah, but Cap, set decorators and continuity experts are so meticulous. But, that’s really beside the point. (Although that posting is really tongue in cheek — just like Mark Kermode’s statement about the “NEW” and just found alternative spiderwalk that Friedkin just happened to stumble upon with all the SPX in place! LOL!
Actually, all three products in that scene are great advertising plugs for Colgate-Palmolive. I think it’s slick, but the media created a small tornado about how C-P had Satan worshipping head chiefs … even their logo was under scrutiny.
You know, we’ve all seen the infamous scene of Chris and Karras in the park where Chris lights up cig and the crushes it out, only to reappear. I found another scene just like it.
Trivia time, all! When did the other smoking/not smoking/smoking scene appear in the film?
Okay, no takers on the smoking/not smoking/smoking scene. It’s an easy answer (and don’t come on here and say, “I knew that … you had plenty of time since March 31st to answer!). 🙂
So, without further ado (click to enlarge):
These are very interesting, I’d never have noticed them in a million years! The picture of Howdy in the background of Karras…I wonder why they did that?
Hi CH.com Fans,
If your in, here’s the place we can start to compile all the flubs on our favorite feature. Bloopers, Whoops, and What?? can be our home for the fun stuff that we notice.
To start, here’s an old post of mine:
Okay, I finally had a small amount of time to post a pic of the spoon reflection, as requested.
Click the thumbnail and you’ll be sent to the higher-resolution pic:
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