On the 26th of December 1973 William Friedkin's The Exorcist hit theaters. Horror hasn't been the same since. The absolutely terrifying movie contains several indelible cinematic images, was controversial at the time, went on to be banned in many countries and spawned four sequels and two television series (and a stage adaptation featuring Ian McKellan as Pazuzu!). But let's get back to that 1973 premiere and find out how unwitting audiences reacted to what they found.