It’s rare to hear about a ground-breaking exorcism that didn’t involve Ed and Lorraine Warren, isn’t it? How did they miss out on being part of the first televised exorcism in America? I don’t know, but there was an “Ed” involved and an upcoming new horror movie, True Haunting, is based on the book he wrote about it.
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Let’s take a closer look at the story, the movie, and even a clip from the televised exorcism.
True Haunting Beginnings
When Ed and Marsha Becker found themselves the proud owners of a haunted house, they decided to have it exorcised and agreed to do it on TV. But it didn’t quite go as planned and ended up making things worse.
And maybe “proud” isn’t the right word. “Frightened” and “terrified” may be more accurate.
Living with paranormal activity can be challenging at best, and if you don’t want it in your house at all, well…you don’t have a lot of options. Because as we all know, getting rid of ghosts isn’t as easy as just sweeping or mopping them out.
It needs a more nuanced touch. The Beckers sought help from Joseph DeLouise and Rev. William Derl-Davis to cleanse their home. All parties involved agreed to do it on TV.
In 1971, NBC reporter Carole Simpson covered the event that took place in the couple’s modest two-story home on Chicago’s northwest side. This was the first time an exorcism had aired on TV.
True Haunting Movie
We don’t know a lot about the movie yet, other than that it’s based on Becker’s book.
But Collider reported that Becker, along with Blair Butler (Hell Fest, Polaroid) and Richard D’Ovidio (The Call, Thir13en Ghosts), wrote the movie and that Gary Felder (Tiny Pretty Things, Things To Do in Denver) will direct it.
The full cast hasn’t been revealed yet, but a couple of actors have so far signed on, including Erin Moriarty (The Boys) and Jamie Campbell Bower (The Twilight Saga)
No specific release date has been set yet, but IMDB lists it as coming sometime in 2023.
America’s First Televised Exorcism Video
Check-In
Did you ever see the Paranormal Witness episode about this exorcism? Or maybe you’ve even read the book?
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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I have seen the Paranormal Witness episode about this exorcism, but I didn’t realize it was America’s first televised. (Truth be told, I wasn’t sure which paranormal show highlighted the event, so I’m glad you said it was PW.) It was scary. I hope the movie is able to capture the scary parts and translate them to the audience.
The episode seemed to leave quite an impression on people because they hunted the clip of the actual exorcism down to watch it. And that’s what made me think to even mention it. lol