Captain Howdy

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In the novel and film "The Exorcist" the name "Captain Howdy" is what young Regan MacNeil uses to describe the demonic presence during the early stages of her possession. It is first thought by both her mother and the various doctors who treat her to be an imaginary friend. While showing her mother how to use a Ouija board she explains that she (Regan) makes the questions and he (Captain Howdy) does the answers. Later, under hypnosis, a psychiatrist asks Regan if the person inside of her is "Captain Howdy", to which she responds that she doesn't know. When he later directs his questions at the "person inside of Regan", the demon abruptly possesses her and attacks the doctor.

In the novel it is suggested that there may be a psychological factor in her use of that particular name, since her recently divorced father's name is Howard. This is important as the priest, Father Karras investigates the case to determine its authenticity. We also learn that the demon inhabiting Regan has a name, Pazuzu and an actual cultural history. In Assyrian and Babylonian mythology the god Pazuzu was known as the king of the demons of the wind, and son of the god Hanbi. Pazuzu is often depicted as a combination of animal and human parts. He has the body of a man, the head of a lion or dog, eagle-like taloned feet, two pairs of wings, a scorpion's tail, and a serpentine penis. He is often depicted with his right hand pointing upwards and his left hand downwards. It's also suggested through the various drawings that Regan makes that Pazuzu has appeared to her in dreams. As the story unfolds we find out that Pazuzu was known to Father Merrin many years earlier, from his exorcism of a boy in Africa. And now in present day Merrin is called again to confront this demon in young Regan Macneil. Pazuzu is explored in more detail in the film's sequels, Exorcist II: The Heretic, Exorcist III: Legion and the alternate prequels, Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist and Exorcist: The Beginning.

There are several scenes in which the viewer can see the face of a demon flashing quickly on the screen in The Exorcist. The easiest to spot, even with the naked eye, comes during Father Karras's dream sequence, right after the shot of a figure walking up a subway staircase. The demon mask used in the movie Onibaba (1964) inspired William Friedkin to use a similar design for the makeup in the shots. In each of the shots the demon Pazuzu is played by Linda Blair's stunt double, Eileen Deitz. Deitz, who underwent makeup tests for the "possessed Regan", wore one of the alternate make-ups in her scenes as the demon.

"Captain Howdy" has evolved into an affectionate name that some fans of the films use to refer to the demon character in "The Exorcist" and the sequels.

More information on Captain Howdy is in Pazuzu (The Exorcist)

Other Captain Howdys

Since The Exorcist the name Captain Howdy has become popular for use as a number of characters in different movies and even band names.

• Music
  • Simon Stokes recorded the song "Captain Howdy" in 1974.
  • Between 1992 and 1997 Penn Jillette and Mark Kramer formed an alternative rock band named "The Captain Howdy", releasing two albums.
  • Sparklehorse has mentioned Captain Howdy in several of its songs, including "Hammering the Cramps", "Junebug" and "More Yellow Birds".
  • The album cover of Come on Die Young by Scottish post rock band Mogwai features a tribute to Captain Howdy.
  • A stylized take on Captain Howdy appears on the cover of A.R.E. Weapons self titled debut album.
  • In the video for the Gorillaz song Rock It, Captain Howdy appears on the very ending of it.
  • 2D, fictional lead vocalist and keyboardist of the Gorillaz, has been seen wearing a shirt with the name Captain Howdy written on it in several pictures.
  • Twisted Sister's Stay Hungry features a song called Captain Howdy.
    • The band Crisis has done a cover of Twisted Sister's Captain Howdy
    • The band Broken Hope's album Repulsive Conception features a cover of Twisted Sister's Captain Howdy as well.
  • There is also a London three-piece band called Captain Howdy, formed in 2004.
  • Murderdolls song "Love at first fright" has references to Captain Howdy.
• Film
  • Richard Kiel plays a character named "Captain Howdy" in the 1983 film Hysterical.
  • Dee Snider's character, Carleton Hendricks, uses the name "Captain Howdy" as an internet screen name in the 1998 film Strangeland.
• Television
  • A parody of Captain Howdy called Captain Doody appears in the first Halloween episode of Celebrity Deathmatch, possessing Nick Diamond's son and fighting WWE wrestler The Undertaker.

• Media
  • Ripley's Believe It Or Not opening in London UK on January 29, 2008 featured Captain Howdy's Flying Circus, a freak show based in London.[1] Captain Howdy himself was famously stepped on by Jennifer Ellison, Vanessa Feltz, Kelly Rowland and Katie Price while lying on a bed of cutlasses.^[1]

References

1. ^ "Freaks and Beautiful People mixed at the Ripley's Believe It Or Not opening in London". The London Paper. http://galleries.thelondonpaper.com/ripleys-beauties-and-freaks-opening-london/?id=11741. Retrieved on 2008-10-016. 

External links

• [2] Captain Howdy.com - The Exorcist Fansite
• [3] Captain Howdy's Flying Circus

v • d • e The Exorcist series Novels The Exorcist • The Ninth Configuration • Legion Original films The Exorcist (1973) • Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) • The Exorcist III (1990) Prequel films Exorcist: The Beginning (2004) • Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist (2005) Characters Regan MacNeil • Father Damien Karras • Father Lankester Merrin • Pazuzu • Captain Howdy Related William Peter Blatty • The Ninth Configuration (1980) • Repossessed (1990) • Possessed (2000)