Movies News Talk
Stephen King's actual experiences at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado served as some inspiration for his terrifying book "The Shining". Like the Torrance family in the book, King and his family stayed in the hotel during its off-season, when they were the only visitors.
Many of the components in "The Shining" reflect King's visit at the Stanley Hotel. One notable example is the loneliness one experiences being the only visitor in a large, vacant hotel. The tormented music the Torrances heard also reflects the canned symphonic music King and his family heard resonating through the Stanley Hotel's vacant hallways. The Overlook property's history of hauntings—including tales of former owners still prowling the hallways—also shaped the concept of the property as a live, breathing entity. Based on the room King stayed in at the Stanley Hotel, the notorious Room 217—where a guest committed suicide—is A dream King had at the hotel inspired even a vision Danny imagined with a fire hose waking alive.
Stephen King got ideas from his stay at the Stanley Hotel, but director Stanley Kubrick chose other sites for the film. The Overlook Hotel's exterior views were shot at Oregon's Timberline Lodge, while its interiors were mostly shot on soundstages in England. King disliked the movie version for this among other reasons.
King had a lonely encounter at the Stanley Hotel bar, much like his fictitious Jack Torrance had. Like Jack, King was the lone customer in the whole restaurant; he was served by a bartender that looked like Lloyd, the book's narrator.
A significant motif in "The Shining," Jack Torrance's battle with alcohol mirrors King's personal experiences. Jack's drinking alone at the Overlook bar scene symbolizes how his addiction renders him more susceptible to the hotel's demonic influence.
King's experience shapes also the severe winter conditions in "The Shining". Although not as severe as the frigid temperatures in the book, King and his family felt isolated and travel was challenging enough given the temperature. The mood of the story started to reflect this chilly, merciless nature.