The Moment Jack Nicholson Sent Stanley Kubrick Into a Spiral
A recent revelation from the set of the 1980 horror classic, The Shining, has shed new light on the working relationship between legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick and iconic actor Jack Nicholson. According to an interview with Bob Tanswell, an electrician who worked on the film, Nicholson’s actions on set sparked a furious reaction from the notoriously perfectionistic director.
Nicholson, who cemented his status as a counterculture icon with roles in films like Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, and Chinatown, was cast as Jack Torrance in The Shining, a horror movie that would mark Kubrick’s foray into the genre. The film tells the story of a troubled writer who moves his family into the isolated Overlook Hotel, where he descends into madness.
As reported by Far Out Magazine, Kubrick was known for his demanding and often gruelling working methods, which took a toll on the film’s cast, particularly Shelley Duvall, who played Wendy Torrance. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Duvall recounted the emotional trauma she experienced during filming, including being forced to perform long and repetitive takes of emotionally challenging scenes.
However, Kubrick’s treatment of Nicholson was reportedly different. According to Far Out Magazine, the director would often make Nicholson eat cheese sandwiches, which he hated, in an attempt to provoke a sense of annoyance that would aid his portrayal of the character. While the pair got along during filming, there was one incident that pushed Kubrick to his limits.
Tanswell revealed to The Guardian that Nicholson had taken a few days off from filming, claiming he had injured his back. Kubrick agreed to the break, but unbeknownst to him, Nicholson was spending his time watching Wimbledon with a group of people, including two women. When Kubrick discovered this, he was furious, as reported by Far Out Magazine.
"I’d heard of Stanley Kubrick but didn’t realise how special he was," Tanswell explained. "He’d do 150 takes of a simple scene. One time, Jack said he had done his back in and needed a few days off. That’s a lot of time when you’re shooting a big film, but Stanley said, ‘OK.’" However, when Kubrick found out that Nicholson was not resting, but rather socialising, he lost his patience.
The incident highlights the intense and often fraught working relationship between Kubrick and his cast. As noted by Far Out Magazine, Kubrick was a director who demanded nothing but perfection from his actors, and Nicholson’s actions on set were just one example of the challenges he faced during filming.
The Shining would go on to become one of the most iconic horror movies of all time, with Nicholson’s performance as Jack Torrance cementing his status as a Hollywood legend. As reported by Far Out Magazine, the film’s success can be attributed to Kubrick’s meticulous attention to detail and his ability to push his actors to their limits.
In conclusion, the story behind The Shining is one of creative genius and personal struggle. As revealed by Far Out Magazine, the film’s production was marked by tension and drama, but ultimately resulted in a masterpiece of horror cinema. By examining the working relationship between Kubrick and Nicholson, we gain a deeper understanding of the film’s enduring legacy and the intense creative process that brought it to life.
Further reading:
For more information on the making of The Shining, readers can refer to the interview with Bob Tanswell in The Guardian. Additionally, The Hollywood Reporter‘s interview with Shelley Duvall provides a poignant account of the emotional challenges she faced during filming.
Source:
This article is based on reporting by Far Out Magazine, which provided exclusive insights into the making of The Shining. For more information, please visit Far Out Magazine.
