The Exorcist is a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin and produced and written for the screen by William Peter Blatty, based on the 1971 novel of the same name by Blatty. The film stars Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Lee J. Cobb, Kitty Winn, Jack MacGowran, Jason Miller and Linda Blair. It was the first installment in The Exorcist film series, and follows the demonic possession of twelve year-old Regan and her mother's attempt to rescue her through an exorcism conducted by two Catholic priests.
Both the movie and it's young star, Linda Blair come in for frequent references by Mork through the show.
About the Exorcist[]
The book held best seller status, however the production headed up by the author, Blatty and Friedkin, had difficulty casting the film, being turned down by many major stars of the era. Ultimately they cast Ellen Burstyn, who had been nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Last Picture Show (1971), as the mother, and the unknown Linda Blair as Regan her daughter, both casting choices being vigorously opposed by studio executives at Warner Bros. Pictures.
Famed for its effects, including heat twisting, 'pea soup' vomiting, bed and character levitation, principal photography was difficult. A fire destroyed the majority of the set, and both Blair and Burstyn suffered long-term injuries in on-set accidents. Ultimately production took twice as long as scheduled and cost more than twice the initial budget.
The Exorcist was released in 24 theaters in the United States and Canada in late December 1973. Despite initial mixed critical reviews, audiences flocked to it, waiting in long lines during winter weather and many doing so more than once.
Some viewers suffered adverse physical reactions, fainting or vomiting to scenes in which the young character of Regan, undergoes a realistic cerebral angiography and later violently masturbates with a crucifix. Heart attacks and miscarriages were reported; a psychiatric journal published a paper on "cinematic neurosis" triggered by the film. Many children were allowed to see the film, leading to charges that the MPAA ratings board had accommodated Warner Brothers by giving the film an R-rating instead of the X-rating they thought it deserved, in order to ensure its commercial success. Several cities attempted to ban it outright or prevent children from attending.
The cultural conversation around the film, which also encompassed its treatment of Catholicism, helped it become the first horror film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, one of ten Academy Awards it was nominated for, winning for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound. It was the highest-grossing R-rated horror film (unadjusted for inflation) until the 2017 release of It.
The Exorcist has had a significant influence on popular culture and has received critical acclaim, with several publications regarding it as one of the greatest horror films ever made. In 2010, the Library of Congress selected the film to be preserved in its National Film Registry, citing it as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. [1]
Mork's Multiple References[]
- Mork In Love - During Mork's 'break up' with Dolly he references Linda Blair comparing the way Dolly's ankles turn around backwards to her, in allusion to her starring role in 1973s The Exorcist
- Dr. Morkenstein - When Chuck spins his head around while playing I Spy, Mork compliments him on his impression of Linda Blair, referencing what happens to her character of Regan in the movie.
- Putting the Ork Back in Mork, Part 2 - The Elder's role as an 'Eggsorcist' and the ritual of the Eggs is a spoof of The Exorcist directly referencing its young star Linda Blair at the end.
- Three the Hard Way - Mork explains the sound of the Egg cracking open to Mr. Bickley as him listening to his The Exorcist soundtrack referencing the classic horror movie and it's star Linda Blair once again.