The Shining poster

The Shining Quotes

"A masterpiece of modern horror."

R 1980 · 2h 24m
82
Audience
82
Audience
31 quotes
Identity and Memory in The Shining
Jack Mr. Grady, you were the caretaker here. I recognize you. I saw your picture in the newspapers. You uh, chopped your wife and daughters up into little bits and then you blew your brains out.
Grady That's strange, sir. I don't have any recollection of that at all.
Jack Mr. Grady, you were the caretaker here.
Grady I'm sorry to differ with you, sir, but you are the caretaker. You've always been the caretaker. I should know, sir. I've always been here.
The Overlook Hotel's Hidden History
Danny Mr. Hallorann, are you scared of this place?
Hallorann No. I ain't scared of nothing here. It's just that, you know, some places are like people. Some shine and some don't. I guess you could say the Overlook Hotel here has something almost like shining.
Danny Is there something bad here?
Hallorann Well, you know, Doc, when something happens, it can leave a trace of itself behind, say like if someone burns toast. Well, maybe things that happen leave other kinds of traces behind. Not things that anyone else can notice, but things that people who shine can see, just like they can see things that haven't happened yet. Well, sometimes they can see things that happened a long time ago. I think a lot of things happened right here in this hotel over the years, and not all of em was good.
Danny What about Room 237?
Hallorann Room 237?
Danny You're scared of Room 237, ain't ya?
Hallorann No I ain't.
Danny Mr. Hallorann, what is in Room 237?
Hallorann Nothing. There ain't nothing in Room 237, but you haven't got no business going in there anyway, so stay out! You understand? Stay out!
Invitation to an Endless Game
Grady Twins Hello, Danny. Come and play with us. Come and play with us, Danny. Forever... ...and ever...and ever.
[3 shots of their bloody corpses]
Injured Guest Great party, isn't it?
Snow Forecast Sparks Tension Between Couple
Wendy Get a lot written today?
Jack Yes.
Wendy Hey! Weather forecast said it's gonna snow tonight!
Jack What do you want me to do about it?
Wendy Aw, come on, hon. Don't be so grouchy.
Jack I'm not being grouchy. I just want to finish my work.
Wendy Okay, I understand. I'll come back later on with a couple of sandwiches for ya, and maybe you'll let me read something then.
Jack Wendy, let me explain something to you. Whenever you come in here and interrupt me, you're breaking my concentration. You're distracting me, and it will then take me time to get back to where I was! Understand?
Wendy Yeah.
Jack All right. We're gonna make a new rule. When I'm in here and you hear me typing, or whether you don't hear me typing, or whatever the fuck you hear me doing in here, when I'm in here, that means that I am working, and that means don't come in! Now, do you think you can handle that?
Wendy Yeah.
Jack Fine. Why don't you start right now and get the fuck outta here?
Wendy Okay.
Nightmare and Reassurance in a Troubling Situation
Jack It was the most terrible nightmare I ever had! It's the most horrible dream I ever had!
Wendy It's okay, it's over now.
Jack I dreamed that I—that I killed you and Danny. But I didn't just kill you. I cut you up into little pieces. Oh my God! I must be losing my mind.
Wendy Everything's gonna be all right.
Desire for Alcohol and Desperation
Jack Torrance God, I'd give anything for a drink. I'd give my goddamned soul for just a glass of beer.
Endless Affection for the Hotel
Danny Do you like this hotel?
Jack Yes I do. I love it. Don't you?
Danny I guess so.
Jack Good. I want you to like it here. I wish we could stay here for ever, and ever... and ever.
Danny Dad?
Jack What?
Danny You wouldn't ever hurt Mommy and me, would you?
Jack What do you mean? Did your mother ever say that to you, that I would hurt you?
Danny No, Dad.
Jack Are you sure?
Danny Yes, Dad.
Jack I love you, Danny. I love you more than anything else in the whole world, and I'd never do anything to hurt you, ever. You know that, don't you?
Danny Yes, Dad.
Jack Good.
A Morning Conversation About Writing and Nature
Wendy It's really pretty outside. How about taking me for a walk after you've finished your breakfast?
Jack Oh, I suppose I ought to try to do some writing first.
Wendy Any ideas yet?
Jack Lots of ideas. No good ones.
Wendy Well, something'll come. It's just a matter of settling back into the habit of writing every day.
Jack Yeah, that's all it is.
Wendy It's really nice up here, isn't it?
Jack I love it, I really do. I've never been this happy or comfortable anywhere.
Wendy Yeah, it's amazing how fast you get used to such a big place. I tell you, when we first came up here, I thought it was kind of scary.
Jack I fell in love with it right away. When I came up here for my interview, it was as though I'd been here before. I mean, we all have moments of déjà vu, but this was ridiculous. It was almost as though I knew what was going to be around every corner.
The Horror Drives Him to Madness
Taglines The Horror is driving him crazy!
Confronting Blame and Betrayal
Wendy Torrance You did this to him, didn't you? You son of a bitch! You did this to him! Didn't you?! How could you?! How could you?!
[to Jack; about Danny's bruised neck; Jack shakes his head]
A Conversation Over Drinks at the Hotel
Jack Hi, Lloyd. A little slow tonight, isn't it?
[laughs]
Lloyd Yes it is, Mr. Torrance. What'll it be?
Jack I'm awfully glad you asked me that, Lloyd. Because I just happen to have two twenties and two tens right here in my wallet. I was afraid they were gonna be there until next April. So here's what: you slip me a bottle of bourbon, a little glass and some ice. You can do that, can't you, Lloyd? You're not too busy, are you?
Lloyd No, sir. I'm not busy at all.
Jack Good man! You set em up and I'll knock em back, Lloyd. One by one. White man's burden, Lloyd, my man! White man's burden. Say, Lloyd, it seems I'm temporarily light! How's my credit in this joint, anyway?
[checks wallet]
Lloyd Your credit's fine, Mr. Torrance.
Jack That's swell. I like you, Lloyd. I always liked you. You were always the best of em. Best god-damn bartender from Timbuktu to Portland, Maine. Or Portland, Oregon, for that matter.
Lloyd Thank you for saying so.
Jack Here's to five miserable months on the wagon, and all the irreparable harm that it's caused me.
Lloyd How are things going, Mr. Torrance?
Jack Things could be better, Lloyd. Things could be a whole lot better.
Lloyd I hope it's nothing serious.
Jack No. Nothing serious. Just a little problem with the, uh, old sperm-bank upstairs. Nothing I can't handle though, Lloyd. Thanks.
Lloyd Women. Can't live with em, can't live without em.
Jack Words of wisdom, Lloyd! Words of wisdom. I never laid a hand on him, goddamn it. I didn't. I wouldn't touch one hair on his goddamn little head. I love the little son of a bitch! I'd do anything for him, any fucking thing for him. But that bitch! As long as I live, she'll never let me forget what happened. I did hurt him once, okay? It was an accident - completely unintentional, could have happened to anybody. And it was three goddamn years ago! The little fucker had thrown all my papers all over the floor, and all I tried to do was pull him up...! A momentary loss of muscular coordination, all right? A few extra foot-pounds of energy per second, per second.
A Modern Horror Masterpiece
Taglines A Masterpiece of Modern Horror
A Winter Adventure in an Isolated Hotel
Danny Do you really want to go and live in that hotel for the winter?
Wendy Sure I do. It'll be lots of fun.
Danny Yeah, I guess so. Anyway, there's hardly anybody to play with around here.
Wendy Yeah, I know. It always takes a little time to make new friends.
Danny Yeah, I guess so.
Wendy What about Tony? He's looking forward to the hotel, I bet.
Danny No I ain't, Mrs. Torrance.
[as Tony]
Wendy Now, come on, Tony, don't be silly.
Danny I don't want to go there, Mrs. Torrance.
[as Tony]
Wendy Well, how come you don't want to go?
Danny I just don't.
[as Tony]
Wendy Well, let's just wait and see. We're all going to have a real good time.
Reflections on an Accident and Change
Wendy Torrance It was just one of those things, you know. Purely an accident. My husband had, uh, been drinking, and he came home about three hours late. So he wasn't exactly in the greatest mood that night. And, well, Danny had scattered some of his school papers all over the room, and my husband grabbed his arm and pulled him away from them. It's...it's just the sort of thing you do a hundred times with a child, you know, in the park or in the streets. But on this particular occasion, my husband just used too much strength, and he injured Danny's arm. Anyway, something good did come out of it all, because he said "Wendy, I'm never gonna touch another drop. And if I do, you can leave me." And he didn't, and he hasn't had any alcohol in, uh, five months.
[nervous laugh]
The Arrival of American Horror
Taglines The tide of terror that swept America is HERE
[''UK Poster'']
Danny's Absence and Mother's Grief
Danny Torrance Danny's not here, Mrs. Torrance...Danny can't wake up, Mrs. Torrance...Danny's gone away, Mrs. Torrance.
[as Tony]
Facing Fear with Imagination
Danny Torrance Tony, I'm scared. Remember what Mr. Hallorann said. It's just like pictures in a book. It isn't real.
[as Tony]
A Disturbing Discovery in the Hotel
Wendy Jack, there's someone else in the hotel with us! There's a crazy woman in one of the rooms! She tried to strangle Danny!
Jack Are you out of your fucking mind?
Wendy No, it's the truth! I swear it! Danny told me! He went up into one of the bedrooms, the door was open, and he saw this crazy woman in the bathtub! She tried to strangle him!
Jack Which room was it?
[pause]
Discussion on Danny's Well-Being
Jack I think we should discuss Danny. I think we should discuss what should be done with him. What should be done with him?
Wendy I don't know.
[sobbing]
Jack I don't think that's true. I think you have some very definite ideas about what should be done with Danny, and I'd like to know what they are.
Wendy Well... I think... maybe he should be taken to a doctor!
Jack You think "maybe he should be taken to a doctor"?
Wendy Yes!
Jack When do you think "maybe he should be taken to a doctor"?
Wendy As soon as possible!
Jack As soon as possible"?
[mockingly]
Wendy Jack! Please!
[increasingly scared]
Jack You believe his health might be at stake.
Wendy Yes!
Jack You are concerned about him.
Wendy Yes!
Jack And are you concerned about me?
Wendy Of course I am!
Jack Of course you are! Ever thought about my responsibilities?!
Wendy Oh, Jack, what are you talking about?
Jack Have you ever had a single moment's thought about my responsibilities?! Have you ever thought for a single solitary moment about my responsibilities to my employers?! Has it ever occurred to you that I have agreed to look after the Overlook Hotel until May the 1st?! Does it matter to you at all that the owners have placed their complete confidence and trust in me, and that I have signed a letter of agreement, a contract, in which I have accepted that responsibility? Do you have the slightest idea what a moral and ethical principle is?! Do you?! Has it ever occurred to you what would happen to my future if I were to fail to live up to my responsibilities?! Has it ever occurred to you?! Has it?!
Wendy Stay away from me!
[swinging a bat]
Jack Why?
Wendy I just want to go back to my room!
Jack Why?
Wendy Well, I'm very confused! I just... need a chance to think things over!
Jack You've had your whole fucking life to think things over! What good's a few minutes more gonna do you now?!
Wendy Stay away from me! Please! Don't hurt me!
Jack I'm not gonna hurt you.
Wendy Stay away from me!
Jack Wendy...
Wendy Stay away!
Jack Darling, light of my life, I'm not gonna hurt you. You didn't let me finish my sentence. I said I'm not gonna hurt ya. I'm just going to bash your brains in! I'm going to bash em right the fuck in!
[chuckles]
Doubt and Redemption in High Stakes
Grady Mr. Torrance, I see you can hardly have taken care of the business we discussed.
Jack No need to rub it in, Mr. Grady. I'll deal with that situation just as soon as I get out of here.
Grady Will you indeed, Mr. Torrance? I wonder. I have my doubts. I and others have come to believe that your heart is not in this, that you haven't the belly for it.
Jack Just give me one more chance to prove it, Mr. Grady. That's all I ask.
Grady Your wife appears to be stronger than we imagined, Mr. Torrance, somewhat more resourceful. She seems to have got the better of you.
Jack For the moment, Mr. Grady. Only for the moment.
Grady I fear you will have to deal with this matter in the harshest possible way, Mr. Torrance. I fear that is the only thing to do.
Jack There's nothing I look forward to with greater pleasure, Mr. Grady.
Grady You give your word on that, do you, Mr. Torrance?
Jack I give you my word.
A Tense Reunion in Isolation
Jack Wendy, I'm home! Come out. Come out, wherever you are!
[breaking through the bedroom door with an axe]
Wendy Danny, I can't get out. Run. Run and hide. Run! Quick!
[struggling in the bathroom window]
Jack ] ]
[[w:The Three Little Pigs|Little pigs, little pigs, let me come in! Not by the hair of your chinny-chin-chin? Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in!; breaks through the bathroom door; [w:The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson|Here's Johnny!]
Family Dynamics and Hidden Talents
Grady Your son has a very great talent. I don't think you are aware how great it is, but he is attempting to use that very talent against your will.
Jack Well, he is a very willful boy!
Grady Indeed he is, Mr. Torrance. A very willful boy. A rather naughty boy, if I may be so bold, sir.
Jack It's his mother. She uh, interferes.
Grady Perhaps they need a good talking to, if you don't mind my saying so. Perhaps a bit more. My girls, sir, they didn't care for the Overlook at first. One of them actually stole a pack of matches and tried to burn it down, but I corrected them, sir. And when my wife tried to prevent me from doing my duty, I corrected her.
Desperation and Escape in a Snowy Isolation
Jack Wendy, listen. Let me out of here and I'll forget the whole damn thing! It'll be just like nothing ever happened. Wendy, baby, I think you hurt my head real bad. I'm dizzy, I need a doctor. Honey, don't leave me here.
[angry; softens his voice in an attempt to trick her]
Wendy I'm gonna go now.
Jack Uh... Wendy?
Wendy I'm gonna try and get Danny down to Sidewinder in the Snow Cat. I'll send back a doctor...
Jack Wendy?
Wendy Yes?
Jack You got a big surprise coming to you. You're not going anywhere! Go check out the Snow Cat and the radio and you'll see what I mean. Go check it out. Go! Go check it out! Go check it out!
Stanley Kubrick's Mastery of Horror Unleashed
Taglines Stanley Kubrick's epic nightmare of horror
The Essence of Places and People
Taglines Some places are like people: some shine and some don't
Tragic History of the Overlook Hotel
Ullman I don't suppose they told you anything in Denver about the tragedy we had up here during the winter of 1970?
Jack I don't believe they did.
Ullman Well, my predecessor in this job hired a man named Charles Grady as the winter caretaker. And he came up here with his wife and two little girls — I think they were about eight and ten — and he had a good employment record, good references, and from what I've been told he seemed like a completely normal individual. But at some point during the winter, he must have suffered some kind of complete mental breakdown. He ran amok and he killed his family with an axe. Stacked them neatly in one of the rooms in the West Wing, and then he put both barrels of a shotgun in his mouth. Police thought it was what the old-timers used to call cabin fever; a kind of claustrophobic reaction that can occur when people are shut in together over long periods of time.
Jack Well, that is quite a story.
Ullman Yeah, yeah it is. Oh, it's still hard for me to believe it actually happened here, but it did. So I think you can appreciate why I wanted to tell you about it.
[chuckling]
Jack I certainly can, and I also understand why your people in Denver left it for you to tell me.
Ullman Well obviously some people can be put off by staying alone in a place where something like that actually happened.
Jack Well you can rest assured, Mr. Ullman, that's not going to happen with me. And as far as my wife is concerned, I'm sure she'll be absolutely fascinated when l tell her. She's a confirmed ghost story and horror film addict.
Caretaker and Guardians of the Hotel
Taglines He Came As The Caretaker, But This Hotel Had Its Own Guardians – Who'd Been There A Long Time
Exploring Room 237's Secrets
Wendy Did you find anything?
Jack No, nothing at all. I didn't see one goddamn thing.
Wendy You went into the room Danny said, to 237?
Jack Yes I did.
Wendy And you didn't see anything at all?
Jack Absolutely nothing. How is he?
Wendy He's still asleep.
Jack Good. I'm sure he'll be himself again in the morning.
Wendy Well, are you sure it was the right room? I mean, maybe Danny made a mistake.
Jack He must have gone in that room. The door was open, the lights were on.
Wendy Oh, I just don't understand it. What about those bruises on his neck? Somebody did that to him.
Jack I think he did it to himself.
Wendy No, that's not possible.
Jack Wendy, once you rule out his version of what happened, there is no other explanation, is there? It wouldn't be much different from the episode that he had before we came up here, would it?
Wendy Whatever the explanation is, I think we have to get Danny out of here.
Jack Get him out of here?
Wendy Yes.
Jack You mean just leave the hotel?
Wendy Yes.
Jack It is so fucking typical of you to create a problem like this when I finally have a chance to accomplish something, when I'm really into my work! I could really write my own ticket if I went back to Boulder now, couldn't I? Shoveling out driveways? Work in a carwash? Any of that appeal to you?
[lividly]
Wendy Jack, please.
Jack Wendy, I have let you fuck up my life so far, but I am not gonna let you fuck this up!
Work and Play Balance in Life
Taglines All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy...
Hotel Maintenance and Winter Challenges Explained
Ullman When the place was built in 1907, there was very little interest in winter sports. And this site was chosen for its seclusion and scenic beauty.
Jack Well, it's certainly got plenty of that.
[laughs]
Ullman The winters can be fantastically cruel. And the basic idea is to cope with the very costly damage and depreciation which can occur. And this consists mainly of running the boiler, heating different parts of the hotel on a daily, rotating basis, repair damage as it occurs, and doing repairs so that the elements can't get a foothold.
Jack Well, that sounds fine to me.
Ullman Physically, it's not a very demanding job. The only thing that can get a bit trying up here during the winter is the tremendous sense of isolation.
Jack Well, that just happens to be exactly what I'm looking for. I'm outlining a new writing project and, uh, five months of peace is just what I need.
Ullman That's very good, Jack. Because for some people, solitude and isolation can, in itself, become a problem.
Jack Not for me.
Ullman How about your wife and son? How do you think they'll take to it?
Jack They'll love it.
Return to the Familiar
Jack Hi, Lloyd. Been away. Now, I'm back.
Lloyd Good evening, Mr. Torrence. It's good to see you.
Jack It's good to be back, Lloyd.
Lloyd What'll it be, sir?
Jack Hair of the dog that bit me.
Lloyd Bourbon on the rocks.
Jack That'll do her!
Lloyd No charge to you, Mr. Torrance.
Jack No charge?
Lloyd Your money's no good here. Orders from the house.
Jack Orders from the house?
Lloyd Drink up, Mr. Torrance.
Jack I'm the kind of man who likes to know who's buying their drinks, Lloyd.
Lloyd It's not a matter that concerns you, Mr. Torrance. At least not at this point.
Jack Anything you say Lloyd! Anything you say.
[pause, then smiles]