Midnight, the Stars and You

Overlook Hotel, July 4th Ball, 1921 (The Shining)

We've discussed haunted houses, but let's turn our attention to hotels. Although residency is usually brief, hotels seem to be ghost magnets. This reputation carries through into the ghostly fiction. In my estimation the best Haunted Hotel story is the cinematic adaptation of The Shining by Stephen King, directed by Stanley Kubrick.

The numerous ghosts, the long corridors, the dark history, these all combine to create a crowded and varied feel to the haunting that couldn't be matched by a normal domicile. It is as if the Overlook Hotel processes damnation in volume, skimming off the numerous guests who pass through its malign doors.



Red rum?! What could that mean?


Twin child ghosts, elevators full of blood, a snowy hedge maze, and haunting music, this movie has all the bases covered. ;-)


I used to do a lot of traveling. This movie ruined my ability to rest easily at the hotels in which I was staying. And writer's block will always make me think about this scene.



All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy


Yikes!!!!!

Here's the wonderful tune "Midnight, the Stars, and You" performed by the Ray Noble orchestra, sung by Al Bowlly. It's a gorgeous song that has been turned irreversibly creepy by this movie:

Enjoy!!!