Charles Grady or Delbert Grady?

[ChlorofirmDiva]

Norton brought this up at the end of the show. In the interview scene, the guy that looks like fred willard references a charles grady that kills his family, but ol' jack meets a delbert grady in the now infamous bathroom scene. Wazzup with dat? I always assumed that the ghost "delbert" was using a different name to hide that he was the original killer from nicholson, but i never even thought that it might be a mistake until norton brought it up. Anyone have an answer? FANCY PEOPLE DESERVE PROMPT ANSWERS DAMN IT!!

[mascan42]

Better question:

How come the hotel manager says that Grady killed his family in the late 60s or early 70s (can't remember what year he said), but the Grady that Jack meets is clearly from the 1920s?

[Snapman]

Remember the end of the movie when you saw Nicholson's face in the July 4th, 1921 photo? I think Delbert Grady was the one around in the 20's, and Charles Grady was his 70's reincarnation. Just like Jack was at the Overlook in 1921 and 1980.

Here's a couple of sites with theories:

http://horror.about.com/od/theshiningfaqs/f/faq_shining_thr.htm

http://www.drummerman.net/shining/duality.html

Whether the filmmakers intended this or not is debatable. It may all be a lot of bunk.

[Aaron1]

Remember the end of the movie when you saw Nicholson's face in the July 4th, 1921 photo? I think Delbert Grady was the one around in the 20's, and Charles Grady was his 70's reincarnation. Just like Jack was at the Overlook in 1921 and 1980.

Here's a couple of sites with theories:

http://horror.about.com/od/theshiningfaqs/f/faq_shining_thr.htm

http://www.drummerman.net/shining/duality.html

Whether the filmmakers intended this or not is debatable. It may all be a lot of bunk.

Jack Torrance: You WERE the caretaker here, Mr. Grady.
Delbert Grady: No sir, YOU are the caretaker. You've always been the caretaker. I ought to know: I've always been here.

Obviously it was on purpose.

[ChlorofirmDiva]

The former caretaker of the Overlook Hotel has two different names (Charles Grady and Delbert Grady) because he's supposed to be two different people. Charles is the caretaker who murdered his wife and daughters in the winter of 1970, and Delbert is the butler of the Overlook Hotel at the 4th of July party in 1921(which Jack was also at). This is a reference to the original book (the former caretaker's name didn't change like it did in the movie, but he was at the hotel in two different time periods -- once at a masquerade ball in 1945 and again as the caretaker in 1970). The use of two different names in the movie is simply to show that Grady has been at the Overlook Hotel twice, just like Jack.

i got that from the link aaron1 posted. That sucks dick. I was really hoping for something really deep, and this explanation just sucks dick and i hope its wrong.

[ChlorofirmDiva]

also from the same links, proving i am an assumption jumping asshat.

Once you've been a caretaker, (97k WAV) you're always a caretaker, as Jack learns on his descent. Mr. Grady seems to get around. Introducing himself as Delbert Grady after ushering Jack into the bathroom, Jack recognizes him as Charles Grady, the former caretaker who murdered his wife and children. The Overlook is a timeless institution, and both Grady and Torrance have spent at least two periods of time in its employment. Grady, as Delbert, in the 1920's as a butler, and as Charles the caretaker in 1970. Jack is the caretaker of 1980, but Grady reassures him that he has always been in the hotel. This assertment is confirmed at the very end of the film, when a long tracking shot zeroes in on a picture of Jack Torrance in a 1921 Overlook ball photograph.

[mrmet]

It may all be a lot of bunk.

Easy with the language young man...

[DrGonzoPA]

I never really watched the Stephen King remake version, anyone know what they do in that one?

[80lbleadhat]

The remake of the Shining movie was nowhere near as good as the first, however the only difference was that they had the ability to add really good computer animated effects (e.g., the blood flowing from the elevators). The only down side is that it starred that dude from Wings and well he can never compete on the same scale as Nicholson. Also, I might be wrong on this but I don't think I am, most Stephen King based movies almost everything has to be approved by Stephen King and therefore he enters a lot of input into the movies creation. In the first Shining movie Stanley Kubrick did a great job that I don't think that Stephen King did much input in it, on that note, I think it was the only adaptation of a Stephen King book where he didn't make a cameo or at least a visible cameo (I couldn't tell who was at the Masqurade Ball.).

I must make mention that this is my first post on Wackbag and I would like to make note that as a big Stephen King fan I love how OnA's favorite movie is the Shining. It was one of his best books, while not the top book, it was by far made into the best movie adaptation of his work.

[GreatAmericanZero]

speaking of this, a few days ago Norton bitched about people sending him stuff about hiddening meanings in the SHining saying "kubrick was a genius but he didn't go that deep!" Anyone have any links to those sites which Norton believed was going too deep?

[Snapman]

speaking of this, a few days ago Norton bitched about people sending him stuff about hiddening meanings in the SHining saying "kubrick was a genius but he didn't go that deep!" Anyone have any links to those sites which Norton believed was going too deep?

Here's one of my favorite Kubrick sites:

http://www.krusch.com/kubrick/kq.html

There's plenty of insights into the movie, such as the use of mirrors, Native American imagery, etc. and how everything has some symbolic meaning (such as the Roadrunner cartoons playing in the background, and the font used for the Gold Room sign).

[Snapman]

i got that from the link aaron1 posted.

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! Wrong! Try again, dumbass! :icon_wink

[dredpiratrobert]

The theme of duality. Used to show Jack and Grady being there in different periods. Also used to show a kind of Dr. Jekyl and Mr Hyde effect caused by the power of the hotel itself. Two men in one. Charles/Delbert and Jack/Mr Torrance.

The theme is also supported by the use of mirrors and reflections. Jack sees the ghosts-Grady, Lloyd, and Old Lady--while looking in mirrors, looking at reflections of himself. Contrast that with the Interview scene and the Doctor visit scene in the beginning. Stu Ullman the manager and the Doctor have windows behind them to show clarity as they foreshadow what will happen.

Filmmakers and writers do intend these things, but they don't necessarily mean for the audience to dissect it all. Just enjoy yourselves.

PS Kubrick talked about "the duality of man, the Jungian thing," in Full Metal Jacket during Norton's favorite "sick joke" scene.

"You write Born to Kill on your helmet, and you wear a Peace button. What's that supposed to be, some kind of sick joke?!"