Unveiling the Mysteries of The Stanley Hotel: The Inspiration Behind The Shining

The Shining is partially based on a true story. The supernatural elements in the story are inspired by a real haunting in Colorado and the Stanley Hotel where Stephen King stayed. The plot follows Jack Torrance, played by Jack Nicholson, who is a recovering alcoholic hired as the caretaker of a historic hotel during its off-season. He is accompanied by his wife, Wendy, and their son, Danny. Danny possesses "the shining", a psychic ability that allows him to see the hotel's dark past and the danger posed by his father.

As the story progresses, evil forces begin to affect Jack's sanity, causing him to turn against his own family. The Shining book served as the foundation for Stanley Kubrick's acclaimed 1980 film, introducing millions of viewers to the eerie Overlook Hotel. Although many aspects of the story are fantastical, the tale crafted by Stephen King and brought to life by Kubrick draws inspiration from real events. While the Overlook Hotel is fictional, the Stanley Hotel in Colorado has its own chilling true story that influenced parts of The Shining.

The Shining’s Hotel Is Based On A Haunted Room At The Stanley Hotel, Colorado

The Overlook Hotel Was Inspired By A Real Haunting

The Overlook Hotel in the beginning of The Shining. - The Overlook Hotel Was Inspired By A Real Haunting - The Shining’s Hotel Is Based On A Haunted Room At The Stanley Hotel, Colorado

The Shining was greatly influenced by the Stanley Hotel in Colorado, with many elements in the book and movie inspired by this real-life location. Although the story of The Shining does not involve a character like Jack Torrance going mad and harming his family, the setting of the Overlook Hotel in the book and film is based on the Stanley Hotel. Author Stephen King and his wife actually stayed at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park in 1974, where they were assigned to room 217.

Elizabeth Wilson, the chief housekeeper of a specific room, has a haunted history. In 1911, Wilson was injured in an explosion caused by lighting a lantern. Although she survived, it is said that she still roams the room, moving luggage and folding clothes. There have been reports of sightings of a young boy by guests, even though King and his wife were the only confirmed guests. Other accounts include unexplained noises, figures, and personal items being moved or broken.

During his visit to the real hotel, King found inspiration in the long corridors and isolated atmosphere. This experience sparked the idea for his horror novel. The Stanley Hotel, built by Freelan Oscar Stanley of Stanley Steamer fame, was opened in 1909. Originally designed for wealthy vacationers, the 142-room resort also served as a health retreat for tuberculosis patients. The Stanley Hotel remains operational today, offering breathtaking views of the Rockies and attracting tourists. Its haunted history has also drawn in viewers and paranormal investigators.

During their stay at a grand old hotel in Estes Park, the author and his wife arrived just before the hotel closed for the winter, making them the only guests there. King described feeling uneasy in the empty hotel, which he found to be the perfect setting for a ghost story.

One night in late September of 1974, King had a dream of his three-year-old son running through the hotel corridors, looking back in fear. Inspired by this dream, he sat by the window, smoking a cigarette, and outlined the bones of a book in his mind. The eerie atmosphere of the hotel and the dream of his son served as the initial spark for his story.

There is a Real Pet Cemetery at The Stanley Hotel

Did The Hotel Inspire Another Stephen King Novel?

Pet Sematary's Cat screeching at someone. - Did The Hotel Inspire Another Stephen King Novel? - There's A Real Pet Cemetery At The Stanley Hotel

Nightly Spirits mentions that the Stanley Hotel has a pet cemetery where owners traditionally bury their animals. Guests have reported seeing the ghosts of two of these animals, Cassie the golden retriever and Camanche the fluffy white cat, roaming the rooms and grounds. It is believed that Stephen King may have been inspired by these sightings when he wrote the novel Pet Sematary nine years after staying at the hotel.

The famous phrase "All work and no play make Jack a dull boy" can be found in Pet Sematary. Although this line is well-known from Kubrick's film adaptation of The Shining, it does not actually appear in King's original novel.

Stephen King Doesn’t Think The Overlook Hotel Does The Shining’s Real Hotel Justice

The Author Of The Shining Has Notes On Kubrick's Version Of The Overlook

Split image of Jack Nicholson in The Shining and Stephen King - The Author Of The Shining Has Notes On Kubrick's Version Of The Overlook - Stephen King Doesn’t Think The Overlook Hotel Does The Shining’s Real Hotel Justice

Kubrick's version of The Shining's Overlook Hotel differed from King's original vision. Changes included altering the layout and adding a hedge maze to the front of the property. Additionally, the iconic room number was changed from 217 to 237. King, unhappy with Kubrick's adaptation, went on to create his own TV miniseries based on the novel in 1997, using the Stanley Hotel as the filming location.

Doctor Sleep Ruined The Shining’s Real-Life Mystery

Due to The Shining's popularity, the Stanley Hotel has fully embraced its connection to the story by offering tours and hosting events related to the iconic film. In 2015, the hotel, often referred to as the real-life inspiration for The Shining, added a hedge maze to its grounds, which has quickly become a favorite attraction among visitors.

The 2019 Sequel To The Shining Replaced The True Story With Fictional Lore

Split image of Ewan McGregor in Doctor Sleep and Jack Nicholson shivering in The Shining - The 2019 Sequel To The Shining Replaced The True Story With Fictional Lore - Doctor Sleep Ruined The Shining’s Real-Life Mystery

The sense of mystery is a key component of both Stephen King's real-life experience at the Stanley Hotel and the portrayal of the Overlook Hotel in Kubrick's The Shining movie. In both instances, there is a deliberate ambiguity surrounding what is actually happening. This ambiguity is a major strength of The Shining, as it adds to the overall terror by never fully explaining if the Overlook is haunted by ghosts, demons, or if it is just a product of madness.

On the contrary, the 2019 sequel to The Shining, Doctor Sleep, takes a different approach by trying to provide explanations for the mysteries presented in its predecessor. The movie suggests that the events in The Shining were caused by ghosts seeking to harness energy from Danny's psychic abilities. While this attempt at providing continuity is commendable, it ultimately detracts from the unsettling nature of The Shining and Stephen King's original encounter at the Stanley Hotel.

Doctor Sleep is available to stream on Max.

How Doctor Sleep's Box Office Killed The Overlook Hotel Shining Prequel

A Movie Focusing On The Overlook Hotel Was Canceled

Danny (Ewan McGregor) driving with Abra (Kyliegh Curran) in Doctor Sleep . - A Movie Focusing On The Overlook Hotel Was Canceled - How Doctor Sleep's Box Office Killed The Overlook Hotel Shining Prequel

Warner Bros. was in talks for a Shining prequel focused on the Overlook Hotel, but plans fell through after Doctor Sleep's release. Despite being a Stephen King adaptation and a sequel to a successful horror film, Doctor Sleep only earned $72 million at the box office. While praised by fans and critics, it didn't meet Warner Bros.' revenue expectations. This disappointment led to the studio halting the prequel project.

The decision to pause the Overlook Hotel prequel was a familiar one for Warner Bros. This delay meant missing the chance to properly showcase the iconic location. Stephen King's vision for the hotel has yet to be explored, and if it was enough to unsettle even the master of horror himself, the studio should strive to capture its eerie essence on screen. Unfortunately, with Doctor Sleep's underperformance, it's uncertain if another opportunity will arise.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides an intriguing exploration of the real-life inspiration behind Stephen King's iconic horror novel, "The Shining." The connection between the Stanley Hotel in Colorado and the story's setting, the Overlook Hotel, is fascinating, particularly the haunting history associated with specific rooms. The author's vivid descriptions of the hotel's eerie atmosphere and the alleged paranormal encounters experienced by guests add a chilling element to the story.

Overall, the article effectively highlights the interplay between fiction and reality, showcasing how real-life events and locations can serve as inspiration for compelling horror narratives. It also underscores the enduring power of "The Shining" as a story that continues to captivate audiences with its blend of psychological terror and supernatural elements.