“The Shining,” directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on the novel by Stephen King, is a cinematic masterpiece that continues to captivate and intrigue audiences decades after its release in 1980. This iconic film transcends the horror genre, becoming a cultural landmark and an endless source of discussion and analysis.

Behind the chilling scenes and spine-tingling plot, “The Shining” is filled with fascinating curiosities that reveal the director’s meticulous care and the complexities behind the creation of this cinematic classic. In this piece, we will explore some of the most intriguing curiosities surrounding this film and delve into the mysteries that continue to surround “The Shining.”

1 – STANLEY KUBRICK NEARLY DIRECTED ANOTHER HORROR CLASSIC

Prior to “The Shining,” Kubrick had already made his mark in various cinematic genres, including horror. In the 1970s, his name was even considered to direct “The Exorcist.” However, he chose not to participate in the project as he desired not only to direct but also to produce the film. Later, Kubrick revealed his ambition to create “the scariest film in the world,” planning a series of episodes that would leave the audience in a state of pure terror. Seven years after this revelation, he would finally achieve this goal with the release of “The Shining.”

2 – KUBRICK TURNED DOWN A SCRIPT WRITTEN BY STEPHEN KING HIMSELF

The film’s plot was adapted from the best-selling novel by renowned author Stephen King, published in 1977. Despite the literary acclaim, Kubrick chose to discard the screenplay draft written by King himself, criticizing it as “weak.” Instead, he dedicated eleven weeks of work to the screenplay in collaboration with Diane Johnson.

3 – STEPHEN KING, THE BOOK’S AUTHOR, DIDN’T LIKE THE MOVIE OR JACK NICHOLSON’S PERFORMANCE

In an interview with Playboy magazine in 1983, Stephen King revealed his admiration for Stanley Kubrick over the years, which raised high expectations for the film. However, King admitted to being disappointed with the final result. Additionally, the writer expressed his dissatisfaction with Jack Nicholson’s performance, claiming that the actor was not suitable for the role.

According to King, “Nicholson’s last big role was in ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.’ And when the actor started the film with his ‘maniacal grin,’ the audience automatically identified him as a lunatic. But the book deals with a gradual descent of the character Jack into madness, influenced by evil. If the story already starts with a crazy character, all the tragedy of his downfall is wasted.”

4 – JACK WAS ALMOST PLAYED BY OTHER FAMOUS ACTORS

Kubrick considered both Robert De Niro and Robin Williams for the role of Jack. However, after watching Taxi Driver, the director deemed De Niro not psychotic enough for the part. On the other hand, he considered Robin Williams too psychotic after his performance in Mork & Mindy. According to Stephen King, Kubrick also briefly considered Harrison Ford.

5 – THE ROOM NUMBER WAS CHANGED FROM 217 TO 237

In the literary version, sinister events unfold in Room 217, but the management of the Timberline Lodge, where some scenes were filmed, requested the number be changed to 237. This precaution was taken to prevent guests from avoiding Room 217, as there was no Room 237 in the hotel. Curiously, Room 217 ended up becoming the most requested room on the premises.

6 – DAN LLOYD DIDN’T KNOW HE WAS IN A HORROR MOVIE

In order to protect the young actor Dan Lloyd, who was only 5 years old at the time, Kubrick informed him that the film was a drama. Dan only had the opportunity to watch the film when he turned 16 and shared that he didn’t find it scary because he was familiar with the behind-the-scenes of the production.

7 – IMPROVISED SCENE

During the iconic scene where Jack Nicholson breaks down the bathroom door with an axe, he added a memorable moment by shouting “heeeere’s Johnny!” This catchphrase was used by Ed McMahon on “The Tonight Show – Starring Johnny Carson” and was not originally scripted.

8 – SCENE WAS REPEATED 127 TIMES

During filming, the director was known for being extremely demanding with Shelley Duvall, resulting in serious health issues due to the stress faced by the actress. A scene of argument between Wendy and Jack in the film entered the Guinness Book of World Records, as it took an incredible 127 takes to be recorded.

9 – SET CAUGHT FIRE

Near the end of filming, a fire devastated the studio where the movie was being shot, resulting in estimated losses of $2.5 million. This incident was marked by a famous photograph in which Kubrick is seen laughing amidst the wreckage, possibly because in the original story of the film, the hotel does indeed end up catching fire.

10 – TONS AND TONS OF SALT

To construct the winter maze where Jack chases Danny, an impressive 900 tons of salt were used, along with styrofoam material.

11 – REFERENCES IN THE TOY STORY DRAWING

One notable admirer of Kubrick’s film is director Lee Unkrich, known for his work on films like “Toy Story 3.” He incorporated references to the work in his film, including a rug reminiscent of the one from the Overlook Hotel. Additionally, Unkrich inserted the garbage truck plate with the inscription “RM237” and the online chat scene in which a character identifies themselves as “Velocistar237,” a clear allusion to the mysterious Room 237.

12 – A DIFFERENT ENDING

It’s not uncommon for movies to have different versions of the final scene, but Kubrick decided to reshoot it after the film’s first weekend of release. While the cinematic version is lost, the screenplay is still available. In this scene, which occurs after Jack’s death, Ullman visits Wendy in the hospital and discusses “the things she saw in the hotel.”

According to him, the lieutenant thoroughly investigated the location (the hotel) and found nothing out of the ordinary. Therefore, Ullman suggests that she and Danny spend some time with him. The film concludes with text over a black background: “The Overlook Hotel survived this tragedy, like so many others. It continues to open every year from May 20th to September 20th. But it remains closed during the winter.”

Exploring the Behind-the-Scenes Trivia of “The Shining” takes us on a fascinating journey through the backstage of one of cinema’s most iconic works. From Stanley Kubrick’s meticulous adaptation of Stephen King’s book to the intriguing details that permeate each scene, it’s evident that this film goes far beyond being just a horror story. The creative choices, challenges faced during filming, and the unique contributions of the cast and crew reveal the complexity behind the creation of a cinematic masterpiece. “The Shining” not only haunts and captivates audiences with its chilling plot but also invites us to delve into a world of mystery, symbolism, and interpretation. These trivia tidbits remind us that even decades after its release, the influence and impact of this film continue to resonate in the world of cinema, leaving us always feeling there’s more to discover about the dark corridors of the Overlook Hotel.