Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Stephen King's 1977 novel has had a lasting impact on popular culture. The film did, however, receive a few Razzie nods. The Razzie organizers now say they would "take back" Shelley Duvall's Worst Actress nomination for The Shining.
Razzie Founders on Shelley Duvall's Nom: 'I Would Take That Back'
John J.B. Wilson and Maureen Murphy, founders of the Razzie Awards, were interviewed by Vulture. They talked about the nominations for this year's Oscars, as well as some of the big surprises. Wilson and Murphy were questioned by the interviewer about the most shocking Razzie nominations they'd heard about in the past.
Wilson and Murphy addressed Duvall's nomination for The Shining.
“For me, it’s Shelley Duvall in The Shining,” Murphy told the publication. “Knowing the backstory and the way that Stanley Kubrick kind of pulverized her, I would take that back.”
“About the same film, the voting membership the very first year were largely people that Maureen and I worked with at a trailer company,” Wilson said. “A group of us who had read Stephen King’s novel went to see The Shining the night it opened at the Chinese, and we didn’t care for what Kubrick had done with the novel.”
The Shining 40 Years Later Retains Pop Culture Infamy
The plot of The Shining revolves around Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson). He's prepared to take over as winter caretaker at Colorado's remote Overlook Hotel. Jack plans to use this time to concentrate on his work and overcome his frustrating writer's block. He is accompanied by his wife, Wendy (Duvall), and their son, Danny (Danny Lloyd). Things, however, do not go as planned.
Jack's writer's block is still haunting him, as he is unable to complete his work. Meanwhile, Danny is seeing psychic premonitions that follow him around the hotel. Soon after, Jack realizes that the Overlook Hotel harbors sinister secrets that threaten his sanity and the safety of his family.
The Shining is a divisive movie for a variety of reasons. The brutal treatment of Duvall by Kubrick is at the top of the list. Critics and moviegoers were originally mixed regarding the horror picture.
King, however, was a vocal critic of the film adaptation. Nonetheless, The Shining is now widely regarded as one of the greatest horror films of all time.
Some viewers are still perplexed as to why The Shining received no Academy Award nominations. Duvall's portrayal continues to inspire memes on social media, further immortalizing the film among moviegoers worldwide.
Doctor Sleep, based on King's sequel adaption, is a 2019 film that picks up the story.
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