45 Years later, A Major The Shining Discovery Has Been Made

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Following almost fifty years, researchers and archivists have at last discovered the authentic photograph employed for the chilling closing scene of “The Shining“. In the 1980 film, the movie concludes with an old, black-and-white image of a dance hall filled with people, including Jack Torrance (portrayed by Jack Nicholson), suggesting that he has merged with the spirits confined within the Overlook Hotel. This photo wasn’t captured on set but was obtained from a photo library and altered to include Nicholson. Remarkably, this original photograph had never been found or identified – until recently, as Getty Images declared with pride. This settles several prevalent fan theories that the picture contained covert subliminal messaging.

The initiative to uncover this particular photograph was spearheaded by Aric Toler, a journalist at The New York Times. He meticulously followed up on old licensing agreements from the film and traced them back to the pre-digital photo archive where this image originated. His detailed account of the process is intriguing in itself, offering a glimpse into the immense tasks that archivists and librarians undertake, as well as the potential challenges they may face along the way.

The final image is a true reproduction of the original photograph from “The Shining’s” conclusion, carefully enhanced from the negative to maintain its authenticity. This revelation verifies that Jack Nicholson was digitally inserted into the photo where Santos Casani, the renowned jazz dance instructor, originally stood. No further alterations were made, hence debunking long-held fan theories that the group shot was meticulously manipulated. For decades, whispers had circulated about celebrities, politicians, and other notable figures being subtly incorporated into this image. Some even speculated that there were hidden killers, suspected witches, and devil worshippers added for suspenseful effect.

The photograph wasn’t captured at an unknown location, but rather in the Empress Ballroom of London’s Royal Palace Hotel on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 1921. On that very night, Casani was actively participating in organizing and leading a Valentine’s Day dance. The difficulty in finding this photo can be attributed to the fact that Casani had just recently changed his name from John Golman, and the photographer failed to match it with his former identity during their reference checks.

To some enthusiasts who cherish the notion of secret codes in “The Shining”, this revelation might be disheartening. The film has gained a reputation for the numerous theories swirling around it. Some of these were delved into in a 2012 documentary titled “Room 237”, which can be streamed on Shudder, AMC+, Pluto TV, and Philo for those intrigued. At present, “The Shining” itself is not accessible on any streaming platforms with a subscription, but it can be rented or bought digitally on PVOD stores.

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2025-04-08 17:39