10 surprising things you probably didn't know about the making of 'The Shining'

Frank OlitoOct 19, 2020, 22:22 IST

Jack Nicholson and Stanley Kubrick on the set of "The Shining."Sunset Boulevard / Getty

Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining," starring Shelley Duvall and Jack Nicholson, was released in 1980.
The movie was adapted from Stephen King's novel of the same name, but he and Kubrick were at odds. Kubrick refused to read King's script, and King panned the movie once it was released.
Kubrick was a perfectionist, forcing actors to shoot scenes hundreds of times. At one point, Duvall had to lie down on the floor out of exhaustion.

From "Here's Johnny" to "Redrum," "The Shining" has some of the most iconic movie moments in film history, but there's a lot about the horror movie you may not know.

Director Stanley Kubrick adapted the movie from Stephen King's famous novel, "The Shining," about a family who watches over the Overlook Hotel during its off-season. Starring Jack Nicholson, Kubrick's horror film became a controversial classic after its release in 1980.

Keep reading to find out what happened during the making of "The Shining."

Although Stanley Kubrick wrote the script for the movie, Stephen King wrote his own script adaptation that the director refused to read, according to the director's biographer.

Kubrick and King. Keith Hamshere & Ron Galella / Getty

Although Stanley Kubrick wrote the script for the movie, Stephen King wrote his own script adaptation that the director refused to read, according to the director's biographer.

In the novel, the infamous hotel room was 217, but it was changed to room 237 at the request of Timberline Lodge, where the exterior shots were filmed.

Timberline Lodge. George Rose / Getty

Scatman Crothers, who plays the Overlook's head chef, was surprised to find his character died in the final cut of the film because it was not in the novel or the original script.

Scatman Crothers. Archive Photos / Getty

Scatman Crothers, who plays the Overlook's head chef, was surprised to find his character died in the final cut of the film because it was not in the novel or the original script.

Danny Lloyd, who played Danny Torrance, had no idea he was playing a part in a horror film.

Lloyd and Nicholson. Sunset Boulevard / Getty

Unlike Lloyd, Shelley Duvall, who played Wendy, had a negative experience during the filming because of the pressure from Kubrick.

Duvall in "The Shining." Sunset Boulevard / Getty

Kubrick broke a world record on set after forcing his actors to do countless takes to get each scene just right.

Kubrick on the set of "The Shining." Sunset Boulevard / Getty

Nicholson improvised the famous "Here's Johnny" line toward the end of the movie.

The "Here's Johnny" scene. Universal History Archive / Getty

Kubrick came up with numerous alternatives to the famous line "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" so that it would make sense in different languages.

The typewriter from "The Shining." Richard Lautens / Getty

Conspiracy theorists think the movie was made to hide secret messages, including clues that the moon landing was staged.

Danny wearing his Apollo 11 sweater. Michael Ochs Archives / Getty

After the making of "The Shining," King was one of its biggest critics.

King. Thos Robinson / Getty

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10 surprising things you probably didn't know about the making of 'The Shining'

Although Stanley Kubrick wrote the script for the movie, Stephen King wrote his own script adaptation that the director refused to read, according to the director's biographer.

In the novel, the infamous hotel room was 217, but it was changed to room 237 at the request of Timberline Lodge, where the exterior shots were filmed.

Scatman Crothers, who plays the Overlook's head chef, was surprised to find his character died in the final cut of the film because it was not in the novel or the original script.

Danny Lloyd, who played Danny Torrance, had no idea he was playing a part in a horror film.

Unlike Lloyd, Shelley Duvall, who played Wendy, had a negative experience during the filming because of the pressure from Kubrick.

Kubrick broke a world record on set after forcing his actors to do countless takes to get each scene just right.

Nicholson improvised the famous "Here's Johnny" line toward the end of the movie.

Kubrick came up with numerous alternatives to the famous line "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" so that it would make sense in different languages.

Conspiracy theorists think the movie was made to hide secret messages, including clues that the moon landing was staged.

After the making of "The Shining," King was one of its biggest critics.