THE SHINING AUTOGRAPHS

[Scott Paul]

The movie The Shining was based on the Stephen King novel directed by Stanley Kubrick. King was not happy that Kubrick took many liberties with the film that differed from the book. King would later produce the television miniseries based on his novel. Kubrick's breathtaking cinemaphotography and extraordinary acting skills of the main cast created what is considered a modern horror classic. It is a movie that people either love or love to hate.

After the first theatrical release, Kubrick decided to abruptly change the ending by eliminating the last two minutes of the movie. The movie ends by showing a shot of Jack Nicholson in the 1921 photograph. The original ending had Mr. Ullman showing up at the hospital where Wendy and Danny had gone. All that remains is the original script that shows Ullman visiting Wendy and Danny in the hospital. He invites them to come and stay at his house to recuperate. 

Sadly, no known footage that remains since Kubrick ordered all cut pieces of the film returned to the studio where he presumably destroyed them. All that is left are some stills and the script. Views are mixed if the ending helped or hurt the film.  Personally, I believe it would have made the movie even more chilling since Ullman tosses Danny a tennis ball.  That makes you wonder what Ullman's connection to the Overlook really was.  

There are many often nonsensical "theories" about the ending and movie itself that often say more about the person espousing the theory than the movie itself. As with most theories, nothing can be proved one way or another now that Kubrick is deceased.

I will not attempt to go into a scene-by-scene autopsy of the movie. The movie is one that in the beginning I did not fall in love with, unlike every other movie or television show I collect. The movie grew on me after I purchased the DVD and watched it one night. The opening sequence of the VW driving the winding mountainous road to the Overlook Hotel was wonderful. The music also adds so much to the slightly menacing tone of the opening.

The Shining has three main stars, and the remainder are supporting roles albeit important ones. Nicholson, Duvall, and Lloyd make up the three leading actors. Scatman Crothers, Barry Nelson, Philip Stone, Joe Turkel, and Tony Burton are the main supporting cast. Except Lisa and Louise Burns the remaining cast are minor supporting roles. Of the 22 credited actors and actresses I believe only 20 appear in the 144-minute version of the film as it exists now.   Burnell Tucker as the policeman and Barbara Pappas as the nurse in the hospital scene were deleted so they no longer appear in the movie.  Barry Nelson had a bigger role in the theatrical release of the film prior to the Kubrick cut.  Sadly, Kubrick made certain no one could ever edit his movie back to original theatrical release.

I have added full names rather than just the last names of some of the characters as appear in the credits. Anne Jackson portrayed Danny's physician and is only called "Doctor" no name is used in the movie. Similarly, Joe Turkel's role as the bartender is only called "Lloyd" with no last name given. Barry Nelson has a nameplate on the desk that reads "STUART ULLMAN."

The ones listed in the opening credits were all established actors and actresses except Danny Lloyd. The closing credits were largely supporting actors and newcomers like Lisa and Louise Burns the "Grady twins." Manning Redwood a British actor played one of the forest rangers he usually was cast as a military officer in many of his roles.

Among the people who appear in the movie but are uncredited is Glenn Rinker who was a real television newsman from Florida and the wife of Stanley Kubrick is seen sitting on the couch in the ballroom. There were close to 30 extras that appeared as party guests and hotel workers. The following are the opening and closing credits

[OPENING CREDITS]

Jack Nicholson      (Jack Torrance)
Shelley Duvall       (Wendy Torrance)
Danny Lloyd       (Danny Torrance)
Scatman Crothers       (Dick Hallorann)
Barry Nelson       (Stuart Ullman)
Philip Stone      (Delbert Grady aka Charles Grady)
Joe Turkel      (Lloyd the Bartender)
Anne Jackson      (Doctor)
Tony Burton     (Larry Durkin the garage owner)

[ENDING CREDITS ONLY]

Lia Beldam Young  (Woman in Bath)
Billie Gibson (Old Woman in Bath)
Barry Dennen (Bill Watson)
David Baxt  (Forest Ranger #1)
Manning Redwood ( Ranger #2)
Lisa Burns (Grady Daughter)
Louise Burns (Grady Daughter)
Robin Pappas (Nurse in Hospital)*
Alison Coleridge (Secretary to Ullman)
Burnell Tucker (Policeman)*
Jana Sheldon (Stewardess)
Kate Phelps (Receptionist)
Norman Gay (Injured Party Guest)

*Scenes deleted. These would be credit only now since they are not in the movie as it exists today.  I have decided not to try to get either Robin Pappas or Burnell Tucker because of that reason.  I know others want all names credited and that is fine it is merely a matter of personal choice.

I will be adding the major players below but have put some biographical material so they will be in order.  I will add autographs as I locate them in my collection.   

[Scott Paul]

JOE TURKEL (1927-2022) Besides The Shining, he is best known for two other Kubrick films, The Killing (1956) and Paths of Glory (1957).   Turkel also appeared in three of Bert I. Gordon's movies, including The Boy and the Pirates.  Other big movies were Sand Pebbles and The St. Valentine's Day Massacre. He also played Dr. Tyrell in Blade Runner.  Turkel appeared on television shows, including The Andy Griffith Show, Sky King, Bonanza, Tales from the Darkside, Miami Vice, and many more.  His role as Lloyd, the bartender in The Shining, is my personal favorite.  This is a still from Paths of Glory.

[Steve Cyrkin, Admin]

Scott, this is a great discussion. And very valuable, as all yours are! Thank you.

[Scott Paul]

Thank you, Steve, I appreciate it.

[Scott Paul]

ANNE JACKSON (1925-2016) a trained theater actress from the Actors Studio she appeared on stage, screen and television.  She was the wife of Eli Wallach, and they appeared together in various movies.  On television she appeared on Gunsmoke, The Facts of Life, Law and Order and many others.  Her role in The Shining is the unnamed doctor that is looking after young Danny.   The purpose of her role is to set up the idea that Jack could be violent.  Her long life and the fact she was a generous signer means her autograph is easily obtained. 

 

[Eric Keith Longo]

Thank you Scott. Joe Turkel, along with Truman Capote shared the same NY Dr. I used to use. The film is a masterpiece, as is the mind-blowing 2001. However, both books are far better.

[Scott Paul]

Thank you Eric, that is interesting about your doctor.  For me Kubrick was an acquired taste since I did not care for either 2001: A Space Odyssey or The Shining when I first saw them.  It was much later when watching on DVD that I began to appreciate and love both films.   I never read 2001 but agree Stephen King's book The Shining was excellent.  I tend to be on the side that Kubrick made a mistake in deleting the hospital scenes at the end.  I probably am in a minority on that but many that saw that original ending agree.  It still leaves much to the imagination but brings up the notion that Mr. Ullman may be a bit more sinister than we are led to believe in the beginning.  I find it sad, if not a bit disturbing that Kubrick destroyed that scene so now only stills and the original script are left.  I understand why he did it but disagree.  I have yet to watch the Stephen King miniseries.  

[Eric Keith Longo]

The miniseries follows the book much, much more closely. I found it to be very good. As I did the remake miniseries of Salem's Lot with Rob Lowe.

[MikeEarmantraut]

Are you coming back Eric?

[Scott Paul]

TONY BURTON (1937-2016) perhaps best known as Duke Evers in the Rocky movies.  He is the last of the opening credited performers in The Shining.   His major scene is on the telephone with Scatman Crothers arranging to get a snow tractor for him.  Burton said he was on the set for much more than his scene because he and Stanley Kubrick liked to play chess.  That may explain his being given a choicer spot of opening credit recognition.  His autograph is seldom seen although he signed some trading cards about 20 years ago.  Most of the autograph material is Rocky related for obvious reasons.   This is from Worthpoint a trading card.  I am by no means an expert with Burton but I believe this is good.  

[Scott Paul]

LISA AND LOUISE BURNS (1968-          ) are twins that were cast to portray the ill-fated daughters of Delbert Grady.   Among the most memorable minor characters with their matching blue dresses they had little acting credit before or after The Shining.  They have done some shows and conventions in recent years.  This is an 11x14 reproduction poster (JSA) signed by both,

 

[Scott Paul]

The Grady Daughters from The Shining.

[Scott Paul]

BARRY DENNEN (1938-2017) is best known for portraying Pontius Pilate in the musical and movie Jesus Christ Superstar.  He also appeared in numerous films in primarily minor supporting roles, such as John Wayne's Brannigan (1975), Superman III (1983) and Titanic (1997).  He was in two episodes of Batman and one of The New Adventures of Wonder Woman.  His role as Stuart Ullman's assistant, Bill Watson, is a bit puzzling.   He is seen dutifully following Ullman and Nicholson's family on a grounds tour.   Dennen's autograph is uncommon. This is from Worthpoint, another John Verzi index card.