I remember watching a documentary in which William Friedkin said he cut the "spider walk" scene because he wanted the focus to stay on Burke Dennings' death, the audience would be more concerned with Regan and her antics than the importance of this death if the spider walk was kept in. Friedkin was right to cut it (imo) as shortly after we learn that Dennings was found with his head turned completely around, facing backwarRAB, an image played out by Regan later when she sits on the bed and her head twists around (like Dennings')and she speaks in Dennings' voice ("Do you know what she did? Your c*****g daughter?") - a scene which is far more disturbing than the spider walk (imo).