Original artwork, not a still
Some places are like people: some shine and some don't.
— The Shining · 1980
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
This is Hallorann's one-sentence theory of the haunted house: buildings keep their history the way people keep a temperament, and a few of them are loud enough for the gifted to hear. It is also the film's quiet thesis for the title, which is why it went on the poster. Fans reach for it to describe any location with a pull, from old pubs to abandoned hotels, and Stephen King's book and Kubrick's film both lean on that idea.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for The ShiningShow the scene
On the Overlook Hotel's closing day, head chef Dick Hallorann offers the Torrance boy Danny an ice cream in the vast hotel kitchen, tells him that his grandmother called their mind-reading gift "shining", and that the hotel has something like it too. Asked if he is scared of the place, he says no, because some places are like people: some shine and some don't. He explains that terrible events can leave a trace behind, as scorched food leaves a smell, and warns Danny to stay out of Room 237. The sentence was also printed on the film's posters as a tagline.
Sources (2)
- Wikiquote: The Shining (film)Dialogue section, Danny and Hallorann conversation; Taglines sectionReference checked
- Wikipedia: The Shining (film)Plot sectionReference checked
Context reviewed
