Remembering the First Time: 'The Exorcist'

By Bob Mondello

Published August 26, 2004 at 12:00 AM EDT

Exorcist: The Beginning was the number one film at the box office last weekend. It made $18 million, despite reviews that said the story behind the film was more interesting than the story told on screen. NPR's Bob Mondello has a few Exorcist stories of his own.

Bob Mondello

Bob Mondello, who jokes that he was a jinx at the beginning of his critical career — hired to write for every small paper that ever folded in Washington, just as it was about to collapse — saw that jinx broken in 1984 when he came to NPR.

See stories by Bob Mondello

This Tennessee Christmas tree farm offers a unique "choose-and-cut" experience

Pierce Gentry

A Christmas tree farm in the Smoky Mountains tries to bring "joy to the world" each season.
Cat Burns on coming of age and her debut album 'early twenties'

Ayesha Rascoe

Ayesha Rascoe talks with British singer-songwriter Cat Burns about young adulthood and her debut album, "early twenties."
Indiana Jones gets a new -- but familiar -- voice in the latest game 'The Great Circle'

The new video game "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" features the talents of voice actor Troy Baker, who really does sound like actor Harrison Ford.