In the best tradition of the weeks before Halloween, the past weeks have been filled with more horror movie releases than any week before. Some great films have seen the light of day on DVD in these weeks, but unfortunately not all of them. I am not talking about “Friday The 13^th”, “Nightmare On Elm Street”, or the “Omen” series, which have not been announced on DVD yet. Highly anticipated horror films, such as George Romero’s “Day Of The Dead” didn’t make it in time for Halloween and neither did, what is considered the most influential horror films of all time, “The Exorcist” in its new 25^th Anniversary Special Edition. As a reader of these pages, you are aware that we have had the chance to take an early look at this great, upcoming disc. It is a spectacular Special Edition many of you wanted to make part of their Halloween parties, but due to some technical problems the disc got repeatedly delayed.

Completely in the wake of Halloween and the upcoming 25^th Anniversary release of “The Exorcist”, we have been able to join our friends from Warner Home Video last week for an exclusive screening of “The Exorcist” at the Hollywood Mann’s Chinese Theater. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, this theater is best known for the many film premieres it hosts, and for the Walk of Fame that

extends in front of it and all the way along the Hollywood Boulevard. The screening was a fund-raising event for PETA, an animal rights organization, hosted by Warner Brothers and Movielink. It was exciting to get the chance to see “The Exorcist” on the big screen in such a prestigious environment, and this feeling grew when the lights dimmed, the audience hushed and Cassandra Peterson, better known as “Elvira” entered the stage. A horror cult icon all by herself Elvira greeted all the guests and then welcomed the true star of the night. Linda Blair herself had come to this screening and entered the stage under the cheers of her fans and peers alike. She directed some warm words to the audience, asking them to support PETA’s

After those words, a radiant Linda Blair went on to greet members in the audience and it turned out that a number of cast members from the “Exorcist” have come together that night, 25 years after the film’s creation to enjoy the memories. The film’s cinematographer Owen Roizman was in the audience, as well as special effects guru Rick Baker. Rick had been an apprentice to Dick Smith at the time, the creator of the horrifying make-up effects used in the film, and, as many of you certainly know, has since gone out to win five Academy Wards himself. Finally, Linda spotted special effects supervisor Marcel Vercoutere among the audience and he joined the stage with her for a few shared memories. Not to bore the audience too much - yeah, right Linda! - she went then on to announce the nights feature event. The screening of a pristine copy of “The Exorcist”… live at the Mann’s Chinese Theater in the heart of Hollywood!

 November 1, 1998