[fatherbowdern]

gumbloid said:

Ya know what, Batman DK has to be one of the most over-rated movies of all time.  Sorry to disagree with the lot of you, but much of the fame was due to Heath Ledger's demise.

 

Okay. However, I hate to disagree with you, but the “fame” of the film was due in much part to Heath Ledger's acting abilities.

Father B

[fatherbowdern]

Justin, I like the head platter because it has the irises painted on the cornea.

I really wish they had gone a little further and created eyes that rolled upward to show the whites with the correctly painted cat-eye color. The lighted eyes are okay, but can probably be disconnected if I took the time. My favorite phrase (or sound) is that of McCambridge laughing. You don't have a choice. It's just the repeating six phrases in sequence.

Epic, yes. These will go on sale the day after Halloween in the physical stores; I'm not sure what happens on their online store. The owner of Spirit where I live said they run a 50% off sale. Just be aware they are very limited (I got the last one in the box).

Father B

[fatherbowdern]

Sofia said:

“Awww … in the 1970s, Linda was considered slender … she just happened to be well-endowed up top!”

 

I mean slender like Sachi was or Nicoletta Elmi was. 😉 I really can't say that Linda fit the role perfectly because she doesn't look anything like Regan of the novel.

 

 

 

“

As always, much love back at you … even if you are wearing bell bottom jeans with a polyester knit top! (I love your awesome inset picture of The Brady Bunch!)”

 

LOL, actually I'm not wearing any bell bottom blue jeans.

Yeaaah I Love The Brady Bunch! 😀

 
 

Sof,

I wonder if we look really closely at the film that Linda's body indeed matures a little. She was 13 when filming began and then had a her 14th birthday, right? Didn't it take almost a year of sporadically filming Blair? That could explain some of the differences. For instance, I think Blair looks much older in the introductory scene in the kitchen where Regan explains what she did for day to Chris; i.e., riding the horse in the park. Then she looks younger during the doctor's office visit.

Looking at the pictures above, I agree that stature would have made quite a difference. However, Blair already outgrew the size that Sachi and Nicoletta represent in the pics and Friedkin interviewed over 200 actresses, right?

Oh well, coulda, woulda, shoulda.

I'm going to the mall now to buy you a pair of bell bottom jeans! 

Father B

[fatherbowdern]

Okay, I guess my last post went awry.

Anyway, I purchased Regan today at Spirit along with other goodies.  I love their stores when Halloween comes around because they always have the high-end products.

Back to Regan, her left-hand holds a gold crucifix that I purchased separately at Spirit. What you may not see in the online photos and videos, is that Regan’s nightgown is bloody just South of her naughty part. I can’t decide if
it’s the norm or if I had a twisted artist that knew exactly what they were doing perhaps in effort of thumbing their nose at management.

So, do you think I should paint the crucifix black with silver and add a little red along the bottom end as in the movie?

Pictures forthcoming … I feel Regan needs a few artistic polishes, but I’m not sure when I’ll have time. BTW, the neck spinning without showing the seam is pretty clever, too. I’m also happy that this is a Warner Brothers endorsed item and I can honestly say it’s about time.

Father Bowdern

[fatherbowdern]

Yes … it is a perfect replacement for the other word. If I take Regan home tomorrow or the next day, I'll let you if she has other “Altered States.”

Father Bowdern

[fatherbowdern]

I'm dropping by Spirit tomorrow … I'd like to see Regan in person … if I like her … the sow is mine!

(Provided she is in stock!)

Father Bowdern

[fatherbowdern]

Sofia said:

“Sof, do you remember where when Friedkin was talking about this? I really wish there were shooting timeline script just out of curiosity.”

 

Yes, FatherB =D He talks about this on the Fear of God commentary.

This is what I remember him saying: “We didn't really shoot in continuity. All of the exteriors were done together. Some of the Doctor offices were filmed in New York.. everything that had to be done in New York was filmed at one time.”

 

Sof, it does make sense because producers don't like wasting the money for back and forth locations. “Northern Iraq” scenes began filming last vs. first as they appear in the film. 

 

“Linda did fit the role perfectly as far as body size and stature.  :)”

 

She didn't have the body size of a slender eleven-year-old.

 

Awww … in the 1970s, Linda was considered slender … she just happened to be well-endowed up top!

 

I take it that you read the novel before watching the movie, FatherB?

 

As I recall, I had read the novel prior to seeing the film. However, my mind is beginning the lapse on early childhood references.

 

“let's just keep the bell bottom blue jeans and polyester leisure suits out.”

 

HAHA! you're so funny! I do love bell bottom blue jeans, though. =D

Much Love back, Xxx

As always, much love back at you … even if you are wearing bell bottom jeans with a polyester knit top! (I love your awesome inset picture of The Brady Bunch!)

 

Father B

[fatherbowdern]

Sofia said:

“It makes sense that this scene was shot then as well for some continuity and financial reasons.”

 

Friedkin said that the Doctor's office scenes/ bedroom scenes/ Exteriors, were the first scenes to be filmed and they were all done together.

 

Sof, do you remember where when Friedkin was talking about this? I really wish there were shooting timeline script just out of curiosity.

 

“This is why novels from the masters like Blatty allow the readers to envision their own version of characters through either subtle or extremely explicit descriptors.”

 

when you are reading the novel, who do you visualize as the characters?

 

My sister-in-law gave me the book after she read it when it was a phenom. I can't really recall how I defined each character in mind, but I could envision what Blatty described. No celebrities came to mind except perhaps the character of Chris because she was an actress just like our beloved Shirley who should have had the role.

 

“Fourteen? I think she looks likes she's ready to ask her mom for the keys to the car!”

LOL! Not that old! But I read that scene was shot around April/May 1973 so Linda was already 14.

 

Ah well, Linda did fit the role perfectly as far as body size and stature.  🙂

 

Aww, I love 70s clothes!

 

That's fine … let's just keep the bell bottom blue jeans and polyester leisure suits out.

 

XXOO,

FatherB

[fatherbowdern]

Sofia said:

“It certainly would explain why the acting is so inconsistent with the remaining performance that Blair pulled off so effectively.”

 

“This sequence was also shot in September of 1972 and I thought her acting was better here than in the first doctor's office scene.”

 

It makes sense that this scene was shot then as well for some continuity and financial reasons. This is the scene in which we see the other side of Regan … the rebellious; the exhausted from torment; the spit-in-your face, “You fuckin' bastard!,” and exposed Regan. Captain Howdy's influence is certainly wearing off on Regan.

It's pivotal scene regarding Regan's character and I can imagine that Friedkin worked more on this scene to show that transitional side of Regan than any other as we can see from the other unestablished scenes of Blair's acting in the doctor's office.

 

 

“oh gosh, some of the exorcism scenes were shot in the summer of 1972 so those were the first scenes to be shot with Linda! I remember someone saying in “Fear of God” how weird it was to see actual breath in the middle of the summer..”

I can imagine that the roster of shooting is still around somewhere. It did “snow in the middle of summer” in that freezer room.

 

“Blair's other scenes? Again, I can't imagine another actress in the role.”

“Touchy subject for me.. 😉 I can never imagine Linda as Regan while reading the novel.”

This is why novels from the masters like Blatty allow the readers to envision their own version of characters through either subtle or extremely explicit descriptors.

 

In the non-possessed Regan role, Blair stands out in the Chris/Regan bedroom/birthday-discussion scene.

“Yeah, I think she's really natural there. That scene was shot months before the ouija board scene, the ouija was one of the last scenes to be filmed with Linda. I think that was a mistake, she looks 14 there when she's supposed to be playing an 11 year old.”

Fourteen? I think she looks likes she's ready to ask her mom for the keys to the car!  Oh, God, I grimace at the clothes back then as I remember them well. Talk about mistakes!

 

Love,

FatherB
 

[fatherbowdern]

Sofia said:

(Although I
have been very curious about what went wrong during those particular scenes …
perhaps an assistant director filmed it … perhaps Blair was having a few “off
days” … we will never know).

 

That was one of the first scenes (if not the first) to be shot with Linda, maybe she was nervous and very camera conscious. She seems more comfortable and natural in the scenes in which she talks about the horse, ouija board, & birthday ideas. What do you think of her acting in those scenes? I love to read your comments on this subject. 🙂

Sof … excellent capture of the dated clapboard! Filming began on August 14, 1972. Therefore, your rationale for Blair's camera-conscious, sophomoric acting is perfectly sound. It certainly would explain why the acting is so inconsistent with the remaining performance that Blair pulled off so effectively. You may agree that I don't think we can isolate the doctor's office visit to just Blair as Blatty and Friedkin did not flesh out or work more thoroughly on the realism. For that, I can see why Friedkin removed the scene from the original.

Blair's other scenes? Again, I can't imagine another actress in the role. The part required a newbie with the elements that Blair possessed (no pun intended). Casting an unknown actress who worked well with mostly seasoned professionals was a slam dunk.

In the non-possessed Regan role, Blair stands out in the Chris/Regan bedroom/birthday-discussion scene. That scene offers a genuine insight into the closeness of the mother and daughter relationship. When Burstyn removes the eyelash from Regan's cheek and repeats the action because she didn't get it the first time is either extremely well-written and well-delivered or it was an incredible ad-lib that Burstyn added and Blair followed along with perfectly.

Father Bowdern

[fatherbowdern]

Sofia said:

“Just watching that snippet as Justin mentions is a form of torture for me.”

FatherB, I wonder what it would be like for you to watch Susan Swift in Audrey Rose.. her acting in the scenes as 'normal' Ivy is way worse than Linda's acting as “normal” Regan.

Watch this from 2:38 to 03:00. You'll see what I mean, and possibly feel a bit differently about Linda's acting.

Sof, I'm being as clear as mud and for that I apologize to all.

When I am referencing “torture” in listening to more of Blair's
voice as a holistic part of the character of the possessed Regan, Blair's voice
diminishes the intended strength/weight that both Friedkin/Blatty found
necessary as a part of the illusion.

Think back on the novel; Blatty elaborates on the verbose and malevolent
nature of the bellowing demon.

Think back on the film; Friedkin needed the crossover of the voices: a)
Regan and McCambridge during the “Fuck me” scene that clearly allows
viewers to hear another entity crossing over; and, b) McCambridge's voice
fulfills the need to allow viewers the clear definition that Regan has been
taken over completely.

I do remember Audrey Rose well because of Marsha Mason. On an acting level,
these are two very different ends of the spectrum. Could Blair truly act? Not
really; she was a novice. However, she was an excellent learner with a charismatic
personality that Friedkin could clearly see as the person in the role of Regan.

I don't think Friedkin just hired her based solely on her appearance or levels of
acting skills, but found out through interviewing her first and then doing
screen tests to see if she could follow directions which made her the clear
winner for the part. Friedkin was the master puppeteer for every single actor
on those sets and that includes Blair, Burstyn, Miller, etc. It shows the power
of a highly intelligent director who could step away and view each and every
filmed scene from the overall viewers’ lens.

Friedkin was also intelligent enough to know that the scenes introduced back
into TVYNS were not cohesive enough with what was already filmed. As an
example, te doctor’s office visit was implausible from an acting stance and
Blair just could not pull it off like she could with others scenes. (Although I
have been very curious about what went wrong during those particular scenes …
perhaps an assistant director filmed it … perhaps Blair was having a few “off
days” … we will never know).

Finally, I could never imagine anyone else playing the role of Regan when
the original was released back in 1973.

Just MHOs …

Father Bowdern

[fatherbowdern]

Steve Dunlap said:

Well, I don't think anyone's asking for a filmed release version of The Exorcist with no McCambridge dubs, Fr. Bowdern.   I think it's more for “behind the scenes” insight.   It would be interesting to see the scenes done without McCambridge's wonderful voice work, just to hear the lines as Linda would've said them….but certainly not for any official release.

 

It's like when I like to watch special effects “making of” documentaries.   I like to see the deconstruction of scenes to see how they were done.   I think that's  all that's being asked here.   🙂

 

Steve … no, no, no. My original post was very, very tongue-in-cheek. You've misread my 2nd posting. I was not suggesting a re-release without the McCambridge dubbing because we all know that will never happen (unless it's released as a comedy!).   🙂

I'm with the fact that there is only a small snippet of Blair's voice “out there” because it truly diminishes the author's and director's intent of what the demon should sound like. Remember that Friedkin worked with the sound department to come up with something “electronically altered” of Blair's voice, but it never worked according to Friedkin.

In essence, we did get a few snippets already: an original unreleased commercial back in the 1970s with the altered Blair voice saying “Merrin” repeatedly; and, this snippet that's ineffective with Blair's voice (the voice just does not match the visual representation created by Dick Smith: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqZcMeX0tZE

As for a “behind-the-scenes” deconstruction, I do know where you are coming from and I always enjoy watching those. I'm just not sure that Friedkin/Blatty would want to deconstruct the illusion that is melded as an overall demonic presence by bombarding our two primary senses of sight and sound.

Father Bowdern

 

[fatherbowdern]

Captain Howdy said:

Awesome stuff, Father Bowdern. Great find! That man is extremely talented.

 

Cap, here's the link to Monsterpalooza in Burbank in April 2011.

Three notes:

1. Dee Wallace from E.T. is in the beginning promoting ??? (although she is standing in front an E.T. poster). She's held up physically quote nice.  :)  Lots of other familiar faces from behing and in front of the camera.

2. As an American Werewolf in London fan, like me, you will a series of screen-used familiars including and animatronic version of Jack (check around 16:00).

3. Eileen Dietz … still milking her 12-seconds of screen time from The Exorcist. She rented a booth and you can purchase: “Photo with Eileen – Face of Death $20.00 and 8 x 10 of Captain Howdy $35.00.”

I would definitely want to attend Monsterpalooza, which brings us back to this artist, Mike Hill. You can see a short video capture of his work in this link as well as the other aforementioned:

Enjoy,

Father Bowdern

[fatherbowdern]

Cap, this is the one and same artist, Mike Hill. For those interested in seeing two additional photos of his Regan sculpture and his other work (as well as the artist himself), click the link below. Mike Hill also does work for Madame Tussaud's Wax Museums … incredible artist!!!

http://www.stoneykins.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=2026

Father Bowdern

[fatherbowdern]

iamnoone said:

Thanks for the words, and the link to American Exorcism; first I had heard of that, actually, but certainly something of interest for the course.

 

The class yesterday certainly came in with an open mind, and all were in agreement that the use of exorcism for natural human conditions like sexual orientation, etc. are both heinous and irresponsible.  The conclusion many came to is that it is conceivable that a person who believes in the power of god and the devil and is indeed internally suffering somehow could, in essence, be helped psychologically (and spiritually) by an exorcism; even if this “help” is in the form of a placebo effect. 

 

More to come…

 

I certainly know from own classes that the youth of today are indeed taking a more healthy and holistic approach to variants in society; i.e., ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, etc. I do believe that organized religion has lost ground in capturing younger people when the preaching is geared toward hatred of differences among their fellow man. A good example would be that late Jerry Falwell who preached from the pulpit of narrow-mindedness that formed a “cult” of followers in his church. Shame.

On the side, there is an exorcist, Bob Larson, who has completely defrauded many. Check out Bob Larson Exposed on YouTube. He is just as worse as Benny Hinn and many others who work in the name of God to gain personal financial profit. This is yet another angle to share with your students for yet another thought-provoking discussion.

Father Bowdern

[Author]

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