The Exorcist

Radio 4 IS the best radio station in the world
It needs to be said.
Tonight( I am typing this just after midnight) I listened to the BBC production of
"The Exorcist " as I drove home from my shift at Samaritans 
And do you know what?
It was more gripping, atmospheric and thrilling than anything I have watched on the
Big screen 
Radio is often seen as the poor relation when it comes to media, but
believe me, when I drove through the dark Welsh countryside as the child Regan threatened 
the priest Father Karras
I was truly chilled to the bone
Hey ho

X

35 comments:

  1. I don't think I could have listened. Wimp, that's me.
    Are the Samaritans living up to your expectations?

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  2. I read The Exorcist years ago. I've never seen the movie and don't think I could listen to an exorcist radio program. I don't like demons.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. There was something amazingly chilling in the exchange between priest and child/ devil....I almost had to put the central locking on

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    2. Janie Dear, if you don't like demons, how come you keep knocking on my blue door?

      An exorcist radio program.... thanks for the tip. It sure beats listening to my wife, so yeah... I'm gonna give it a try. ;)

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  3. Sometimes your own imagination is the scariest thing in the world. I thought The Exorcist in book form was much more frightening than what I saw on the movie screen.

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  4. I am with you about radio - maybe because my imagination is better than my eyes.
    (Does anybody know? - The Shadow knows!)

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  5. Radio is brilliant...I've just been listening to the latest abridgement of Brideshead revisited and it reflects the book with total honesty.

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    Replies
    1. It also allows your imagination to fill the gaps

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  6. I used to listen to Radio 4 when Chris was away at sea for months on end. One night I listened to a play,it spooked me so much I was afraid to go upstairs to bed unless the cats came with me.
    Jane x

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  7. We have the radio production of The War Of The Worlds on cd, it's fantastic! We listened to it on the stereo in the garage all one summer over and over...h it was great!

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    1. You can almost understand just how it panicked most of america

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  8. I remember listening to radio dramas with my Mum at the kitchen table when I was little.
    When I drove my daughter (she was in High School and did not have a driver license yet) to Junior Collage for her Japanese classes, two evening a week, sorry long intro, I would listen to old radio dramas on KNX while sitting in the parking lot waiting for her class to end. Fabulous !

    cheers, parsnip

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  9. Oooh, thanks for the heads-up on that station!

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  10. And Radio 4 plays often contain a wonderful array of superb, and well known, actors. Well done Aunty!

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  11. Anonymous4:58 am

    Agree, John, agree. But then I always loved Radio. Evocative. Giving your imagination something to weave with. Like when being read or tole a fairy tale.

    Do you remember that song "Video killed the Radio Star"? Can't recall the exact words. As to its title I'd say: Premature obituary.

    Which reminds me: I have dozens of videos of the likes of Postman Pat, Pingu and Beatrix Potter. Any takers?

    U

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  12. Radio 4's "In Our Time" is my favourite sound background when I am ironing. Some of my friends and acquaintances I hold in the highest esteem say the same, that Radio 4 is the best radio station.

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  13. I must say that even if radio is dying, there is something amazing and irreplaceable about radio plays - perhaps that they leave more to the imagination? They're certainly closer to the experience of reading a book than they are to the bog screen.

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    1. I was spooked enough to hurry from the car to the back door....a little too fast

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  14. Although I knew this was going to be on (through BBC Radio's maddeningly too-oft repeated trailers) had to give it a miss as it was timed at hours after my nightly beauty-sleep-routine commences. But now, with your recommendation I'll catch up with it on BBC iPlayer..
    Seeing the film at the cinema on its initial release in June 74 scared the living daylights out of me more than any cinematic experience had done before or has done since. Then I read the book, which carried even more visceral punch than the film.
    You are right. As someone who listens to a lot of radio plays, and has recorded many of the 'classics' over the decades to keep, it's true that plays on radio are superior because "the pictures are better".

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    1. Do give it a go ray... It's worth it

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  15. ooh I bet it was scarey

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  16. My childhood memories are filled with The archers Theme

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  17. Just found your blog (via Cro Magnon) I think. Thankyou for giving me a delightful distraction form my mentally ill daughter. I love the dogs, we have three here who are a constant pleasure and the best therapy I know. Your comments on life etc resonate with me, I also work in a hospital and see so much to be proud of from colleagues. Hope this isn't too maudlin. Thankyou again for your blog. Jan.

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    1. Hello jan... Nice to have you aboard... Cro's blog is an entertaining romp is it not?

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    2. I'm loving both equally! Thankyou for the welcome makes me feel I must really exist, among witty, kind people. I so want a Welsh Terrier, no offence to Meg and her with the tuppence. Jan.

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  18. Absolutely. Much worse than graphic detail. Imagination is wonderful and cruel at the same time. Do you remember when Betty Turpin in Coronation street got mugged? You didn't see it, she walk around the corner and then we heard a scream. Far worse than if they'd shown the event. Anyway, you were saying about this little girl who gets possessed by the devil...:)

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  19. I listened to it it bed... I may have to get the DVD...

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  20. When I read the book, eeeons ago and before the film, I used to leave it out on the landing bannister at night because sheer terror wouldn't allow me to sleep in the same room as it!

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  21. PS did anyone catch 'The One Show' last night? My pal Andy was on it talking about the Diaspora Tapestry of Scotland and they filmed the segment right outside my sister's house!

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    1. Sorry nana..will have a look on iplayer

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  22. The Exorcist + driving home late at night + dark Welsh countryside = No sleep without the lights on at night, checking the cupboards and wardrobes for at least the next 6 months. Horror is not for me mate.

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    1. I listened to it last night
      Fucking hell
      V v scary

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  23. I spend half my life listening to Radio 4 drama, would almost say that I am obsessed with it. I have 29 gb of radio 4 downloads on my computer (and have listened to the lot) and am passionate about this much ignored medium. As it happens I have the download of The Exorcist ready and waiting on my ipod and am thrilled to know that it is a good one, can't wait.

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