Welcome back to Silver Screen Secrets, where we unearth the creepiest and most surprising stories from Hollywood! Here’s a chilling tidbit that’ll make you rethink your kitty’s purr: did you know that a cat’s gentle purring inspired the eerie soundtrack for a classic horror film? Get ready to shiver as we dive into the making of The Exorcist (1973).
When director William Friedkin and composer Lalo Schifrin were working on The Exorcist, they wanted a sound that would unsettle audiences to their core. The film, about a young girl’s demonic possession, needed a score that felt otherworldly. Schifrin, known for his experimental style, recorded a cat’s purr and manipulated it in the studio—slowing it down, layering it with dissonant tones, and adding reverb. The result was a haunting, low-frequency rumble that became part of the film’s terrifying soundscape, amplifying the dread in scenes like Regan’s head-spinning moment.
The cat’s purr, usually a symbol of comfort, took on a sinister edge, proving how sound can transform a movie’s atmosphere. The Exorcist went on to become a horror legend, and its soundtrack—partly thanks to that feline touch—still gives audiences goosebumps. It’s a perfect example of how filmmakers can turn the everyday into the stuff of nightmares, and we’re obsessed with these eerie details at Silver Screen Secrets.
What’s the scariest movie sound you’ve ever heard? Drop us a line at contact@movie-trivia.com—we’d love to hear from you! If you enjoyed this spooky trivia, share it with your fellow film fans and stay tuned for more Hollywood secrets that’ll keep you up at night.