Voice of the demon: ‘The Exorcist’ and the legacy of Mercedes McCambridge

Mercedes McCambridge and Linda Blair
Mercedes and the Monster (photo illustration by Todd McNaught)
 
It inspired an ocean of imitators and aspects of it seem quaint in the context of the age of digitally effected gore. But almost 40 years after its release, The Exorcist remains a chilling classic that transcended the horror genre due to both William Friedkin’s masterful direction and Linda Blair’s stellar acting.

In the spirit of Tara’s posting of creepy test footage from the film earlier this month, here’s the gifted Blair voicing the scene that introduces Regan to Father Karras followed by the eventual dubbing.
 

 
After the jump: meet the voice behind the possession…plus bonus audience reaction footage!

Written by Ron Nachmann | Discussion