Can You Guys Please Help Me Clear A Couple Things Up? *spoilers*

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ZombieDrama

Well-Known Member
Sep 21, 2013
114
376
Indianapolis
I have seen this movie so many times but there are a couple things I am not getting.

Is the ghost lady in the hotel room that Jack sees, supposed to be the wife of the Grady/twin girls mom, or just a random ghost? o_O

The other thing I was wonderin' was how the heck was he in the photo from 1921 July 4th ball? I mean he was alive had a wife and kid in the present (1975-ish). So was he reincarnated, possessed or something?
Would love to hear your thoughts.
I have read the book, but I was a kid, so long time ago and don't recall if it elaborated.
 
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mstay

Older than most, not as old as some.
Oct 13, 2007
6,022
5,554
Utah
The book does tell a lot more of the story than the Kubrick movie. You should read it again if you get a chance.

If I remember correctly the lady in the room was a lady that was there at the hotel cheating on her mobster husband. He had her killed or killed her himself.

I think that the picture was meant to show that Jack had always been a part of the hotel even before he came there with his family. But I don't think that was part of the book, just the movie.
 

AnnaMarie

Well-Known Member
Feb 16, 2012
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Other
I think that the picture was meant to show that Jack had always been a part of the hotel even before he came there with his family. But I don't think that was part of the book, just the movie.

This was not in the book.
I thought it showed he had become a part of the hotel. But who can read Kubrick's mind? Not me, lol.

In the book, the woman in the tub is Mrs. Massey. The day after she dies a maid sees her in the tub, then Dick Hollaran sees her. I don't think she's associated with the gangsters, that was prior to Dick working there.
 

kingricefan

All-being, keeper of Space, Time & Dimension.
Jul 11, 2006
30,011
127,446
Spokane, WA
When I first saw the movie, people in the audience actually giggled during the scene
in the bathroom. I thought it was creepy, but others--to my surprise--
thought it was funny. Perhaps the scene was so creepy they weren't sure how to react.
They were reacting to seeing a fully nude woman in an R-rated film, which, back when the Shining was made, was a big deal. Most normal film-going folks weren't used to that back then. Nudity makes people nervous-laughter is a natural response to nervousness.