Live TV Exorcism Has Maryland Ties

Two events tied to the eerie film “The Exorcist” will happen Friday: A live exorcism on TV at the house still gripped by evil spirits, some say, and a commemoration of Georgetown’s “Exorcist Steps,” made famous by the 1973 movie.

Maryland Boy’s Exorcism

The R-rated tale of an exorcism is based loosely on actual events. The bestselling novel by William Peter Blatty published in 1971 was inspired by a reported 1949 exorcism of a boy that took place in Cottage City in Prince George’s County. Here is the story that appeared in The Post.

According to Wikipedia, the boy was known only by the pseudonym “Roland Doe” or “Robbie Mannheim.” The youth was the alleged victim of demonic possession, and the events were recorded by a priest, Raymond Bishop.

The gist of the film: When young Regan (Linda Blair) starts acting odd -- levitating, speaking in tongues -- her worried mother (Ellen Burstyn) seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. A local priest (Jason Miller), however, thinks the girl may be seized by the devil. The priest makes a request to perform an exorcism, and the church sends in an expert (Max von Sydow) to help with the difficult job. (Read more about “The Exorcist” in this Washington Post story.)

Ghost-hunters claim that the actual St. Louis, Mo., area house where Roland Doe was treated by a Jesuit priest is still possessed by demons. So, a crew from Destination America – a channel owned by Silver Spring-based Discovery Communications – will broadcast a live exorcism ceremony from the haunted house Friday night.

The cable channel will show “Exorcism: Live!” at 9 p.m. ET. The two-hour segment will feature a clergyman, psychic and the network’s “Ghost Asylum” series team members, says The Washington Post.

“Ever since the attempted exorcism of Roland Doe rumors have swirled that the house is still possessed by an evil entity,” Destination America says on its website.

Joining the team of paranormal experts will be psychic Chip Coffey and Bishop James Long, the founder of the ­Kentucky-based Paranormal Clergy Institute, which helps people who think demons have a foot in their house.

“I can’t guarantee anyone’s safety when I walk into this place. [We’re] going against a demonic entity,” Long told The Post.

Georgetown Ceremony at Infamous Steps

The ceremony Friday commemorating the famous steps takes place at 4 p.m. The top of the steps are located on Prospect Street NW and lead down to M Street NW.

Fans of the frightening film can join Academy Award-winning director William Friedkin, Academy Award-winning screenwriter William Peter Blatty, Mayor Muriel Bowser, Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans, and organizer Andrew Huff of the D.C. Office of Motion Picture & Television Development at Friday’s ceremony.

Some say the steps are finally getting the recognition they deserve.

“For Andrew Huff, lover of horror films, the 75 steps in Washington, D.C., where Father Karras plummets to his death in “The Exorcist” are his Lincoln Memorial,” The New York Times reported. “I go to the steps all the time,” he told the newspaper, “and when visitors come to Washington, I always take them there.”

Bowser will sign an official city plaque designating “The Exorcist Steps.”

Here’s more information on Friday’s DC event:

Location: 3607 M St NW

Schedule:

4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

6 p.m.: Plaque unveiling ceremony at the bottom of the stairs with William Friedkin, William Peter Blatty, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans, & Georgetown University President Jack DeGioia.

7:30 p.m.: The Exorcist screening with William Friedkin (by invitation only). For more information and updates, please see the Facebook event page.

Georgetown Patch Editor Mary Ann Barton contributed to this story.

»Screenshot from Destination America