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Curated by: Astonishing Legends (223 videos)
Original Airdate 10.24.2021 (On Podcast Audio Platforms) What every horror film loves to boast, if possible, is the claim of "Based on a True Story." Because if the story is not just from some writer's imagination, if there is a thread to an actual event with real people, no matter how thin, then the fear becomes more real. William Friedkin's 1973 motion picture The Exorcist is considered one of, if not the scariest horror film of all time. At that time, no audience had seen a case of demonic possession dramatized so deftly and explicitly, and the resulting shock left a lasting mark on popular culture and our collective psyche. Not as widely known is that William Peter Blatty adapted his Oscar-winning screenplay for the movie from his novel of the same name. And perhaps even lesser-known to most is that Blatty based his book on a real-life case, what is more commonly known as the "1949 Exorcism," or "The Exorcism of Roland Doe," or of "Robbie Mannheim." The Jesuits of the Catholic Church who examined the 13-year-old boy exhibiting either severe mental and emotional disturbances or authentic spiritual possession referred to him at the time only as "R" in their journal about the investigation. This report, known informally as the "Exorcist's Diary," is the only complete documented account of the events, and it kept the boy's identity anonymous out of respect. Guiding our examination of the story is the exhaustive work of our friend and guest for the Villisca Axe Murder series, investigative author Troy Taylor. Troy's updated version of his book, The Devil Came to St. Louis – UNCENSORED," is the culmination of over 20 years of research and interviews with surviving witnesses to the incredible occurrences. Troy had kept a promise not to reveal "R's" real name and sensitive details until after his death. Now that "Roland Doe" had passed away in May of 2020, Troy was free to publish the 4th edition of his book in 2021, revealing previously unpublicized information, including his name. Troy's book and our presentation aim at getting to the truth behind an actual, largely forgotten case that haunted the mindset of a generation. But don't think that separating the myths from the facts will make this tale any less frightening. For if even the slightest supernatural happening in this record is accurate, and there is plenty of testimony to support that it is, it's enough to unsettle your beliefs. If the wildest and worst accounts are true, and you're unsure what to believe, then most disturbing may be the adage that not believing in the Devil won't protect you from him. Visit our webpage at the link below for this episode and access a lot more information about it, including research links, articles, and images. https://www.astonishinglegends.com/al-podcasts/2021/10/23/ep-219-the-true-story-behind-the-exorcist-part-1 And SUBSCRIBE on your favorite Podcast Platform and FIND US on Social at: https://linktr.ee/astonishinglegends Chapters: 00:00:00 - Sponsors and Disclaimer 00:04:27 - The Real-Life Story Behind The Exorcist 00:08:20 - Troy Taylor: A Prolific Paranormal Investigator 00:12:28 - Real Ghost Hunts without Distractions 00:16:28 - Strange Happenings with Black Flies 00:20:30 - A Break from Festive Festivities with Best Fiends 00:24:33 - Current App Giveaway Announcement 00:28:59 - Determining Possession vs. Mental Illness 00:32:56 - Similar Elements and Disembodied Voices 00:36:58 - Exploring Strange Phenomena 00:40:44 - The Legends of Roland Doe 00:45:00 - The Hunkler Family in Cottage City 00:49:13 - Fond Memories with Aunts and Uncles 00:53:06 - Troy's Compelling Self-Published Books 00:56:58 - Speculating on the Nature of the Relationship 01:00:49 - Skylight Frame Advertisement 01:05:06 - Mysterious Noises in the Bedroom 01:09:03 - Supernatural Hitchhiking 01:13:09 - Skepticism and Absence of Evidence 01:17:08 - Playground friendships and strange occurrences 01:20:57 - Classic Poltergeist Activity 01:24:56 - Supernatural Events in Maryland 01:29:01 - An Experiment in a Different Venue 01:33:15 - Troubling Poltergeist Phenomena 01:37:35 - The Trip to See Ronnie 01:41:39 - Squarespace: The Elegant and Functional Website Builder 01:45:44 - Discrediting the false narrative 01:49:45 - Strange Happenings in the Bedroom. 01:53:56 - The Jesuits and their Contributions 02:01:45 - The Astonishing Encounter with Ronnie