No.91
Why make something clear when you can make it CONFUSING?
This scene encapsulates why semiotics can carry so much weight. The information people pour into this speaks more about them than it does about what this scene means.
American History/Culture:
“Midnight and the Stars and You”, the date of the photo, Jack’s face, all connect to that moment being “real”. Metaphorically it links what we’ve witnessed in Jack’s behavior (in the literal: killing Halloran, attempting to kill his wife, and trying to kill Danny) for the sake of fame- as something that’s always been a part of The American Dream.
July 4, 1921:
The 1921 date, and the July 4th date is deliberate. 1921 speaks to robber barons, extreme debt inequality, where the wealthy lived well. Interesting that Kubrick chose a date within Prohibition, saying that those with enough wealth were above the rules of the law.
It also speaks to why Prohibition was sought out to begin with. In at least a large portion, women were for the Probhition movement as a way to “solve” the crisis of domestic and child abuse by drunk men.
July 4th is often referred to as “Americas Birthday”. The time period that Jack would have been staying at the hotel is around December/January, so it’s a deliberate choice to plunge the time reference to July 4th specifically.
The Maze:
Kubrick as Unreliable Narrator:
“Midnight and the Stars and You”, the date of the photo, Jack’s face, all connect to that moment being “real”. Metaphorically it links what we’ve witnessed in Jack’s behavior (in the literal: killing Halloran, attempting to kill his wife, and trying to kill Danny) for the sake of fame- as something that’s always been a part of The American Dream.
Cutting from Jack’s dead body and then going directly back to The Overlook to see sheet covered couches gives you absolutely no reference to a conclusion.
WHEN is this? Who put the sheets? Who is the point of view of the camera?
It is similar to how Kubrick handles point of view in A48 and A38.
July 4, 1921:
Seeing the date in the photo with Jack’s face creates the connection of genealogy and that one of Jack’s ancestors was within The Overlook.
In No.53 where we’re shown a party, Grady spills Advocaat on Jack. Advocaat is a winter drink, akin to egg nog.
The mirrors on either side of the blocks of black and white photos (A24:i469) have been replaced with Native American blankets.
The left one’s pattern is seen within The Gold Room Bathroom (No.53), and The Exit Hallway‘,
The right one is a red and black version of the blanket shown in the Elevator blood sequences and The Exit Hallway.
Jack in the black and white photo
Jack is often shown under and around black and white photos, mentally preparing you for this moment the whole time (No.5).
Jack and Tuxedos:
Connected to the ghosts Jack is seen talking to— and Jack is in front of a mirror when these conversations occur. Jack is now conflated with tuxedos, much like Danny and his blue trike are conflated for No.44.
Ghost Story:
“Midnight and the Stars and You”, the date of the photo, Jack’s face, all connect to the experiences within No.53 as “real”.
Jack succumbed to the pressures of the ghosts and his predecessors and failed— but if he failed, why would he be enveloped into the hotel, amongst all of the best people?
Sheets on the couches:
The sheets covering the couches act as a metaphor for how they cover dead bodies. Especially after just cutting from Jack’s dead body within The Hedge Maze.
Cabin Fever:
Jack succumbed to the pressures of his mind/ego and failed— but if he failed, why would he be enveloped into the hotel, amongst all of the best people?
The camera tracking to a close up is similar to how Kubrick handles point of view in Room 237 and Halloran receiving information and Danny within The Green Hallway as he sees the slain bodies of The Grady Girls.
The Lobby
“Midnight and the Stars and You”
The theme of the song is a magical night spent dancing under the stars, in which the singer promises to remember for the rest of his life.
This creates a message of history repeating itself, and when it is replayed here, that is the message that is clearly conveyed.
It’s also another example of how your memory of a situation or time was not how it really was.