By Kristi O’Toole

I would like to debut with a bang by discussing one of the most infamous paranormal cases of all time, the alleged demonic possession of a young Maryland boy in 1949. That’s right, some of you have already muttered the words that will forever send chills down the spines of all those who have watched the movie, ‘THE EXORCIST’. Released in 1973, over two decades after the young boy’s horrific ordeal, one of the most profitable horror movies ever made, this story of an exorcism is based loosely on actual events.

To this day few realize that the movie, and Peter Blatty’s novel of the same name, are based on a true story, a month’s long exorcism of a 14-year-old boy, who priests gave the pseudonym ‘Roland Doe’.

According to author Thomas B. Allen, Jesuit Priest Walter H. Halloran was one of the last surviving eyewitnesses of the events and participated in the exorcism. Allen wrote that a diary kept by attending priest Raymond Bishop detailed the exorcism performed on the child known as, Roland Doe. In 2013, Allen claimed that definitive proof that the boy was possessed by malevolent spirits was “unattainable”. Further he suggested the boy could have suffered from mental illness, sexual abuse or fabricated the entire episode. According to Allen, Halloran also expressed his skepticism about the validity of the events. When asked during an interview to make a statement about the validity of the boys possession, Halloran responded saying, “No, I can’t go on record, I never made an absolute statement about the things because I didn’t feel I was qualified.”

Speaking only for myself, on the surface I have a hard time believing a young child could possess, (pardon the pun), mad enough acting skills to fool in upwards of forty-eight people, people that included priests, doctors and psychological experts. Some of today’s hottest Hollywood actors would have a hard time doing that. However, later on after in depth investigations there were many discrepancies that surfaced, such as the actual location as to where the boy lived, whether or not he had in fact been admitted to a local hospital or not, and even the claim made that a participating priest had his nose broken during the ordeal.

To me I believe the real story behind, ‘THE EXORCIST’ is open to interpretation. To doctors and members of the science community, Doe suffered from mental illness. To priests and absolute believers this was a clear case of demonic possession. To writers and film producers this was a great story to exploit for profit. Those involved saw exactly what they wanted to. Each claimed to look at the facts, but it seems that maybe the opposite was true; in reality they distorted the facts and manipulated information that fit their own agendas.

In my time I’ve read about many other cases of alleged demonic possession and have been witness to some very disturbing and inexplicable things. Having said that, I also know that teenagers are capable of incredible acts, especially when it comes to the manipulation of their parents and peers. So now my two cents, I believe without access to Fr. William S. Bowdern’s diary detailing the events of that horrific month in 1949, we will never know what actually happened behind closed doors. During my research and after reading statements from some of the people that knew ‘Doe’ best, I find myself leaning on not the side of science nor the side of the priests, but rather ‘Doe’ was nothing more than an attention seeking teenager.

Now despite all of that, I have never been more appreciative of an attention seeking teenager as his antics inspired and brought to us one the greatest horror films of all time. So, let’s break out the old VHS Tape of ‘THE EXORCIST’ starring Linda Blair, put on the popcorn and turn down the lights. Actually, scratch that, let’s turn up the lights.

In my next column, I’m going to cover the fates dealt to several actors after participating in some of the best known horror films of all times. Some claim they were cursed while others claim possession or worse.

Until then, keep the night light burning.

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