The Shining – Subliminal Messages

CuadroXCuadro: 'The Shining' y el terror ausente de Stephen KingThe Shining (The Shining, #1) by Stephen King | Goodreads

A multitude of theories exist to the meaning of Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, “The Shining.”  What most people don’t understand is that Kubrick was inserting elements that would (or wouldn’t) be understood (or misunderstood) in time.  He was making a movie to challenge himself.

THE COLOR YELLOW – ORIGINAL 1980 POSTER

The Shining Movie Poster

The original poster colors were yellow and black.  The color of the Torrance’s VW is yellow.  Kubrick said, “Yellow is the color of fear.”  The real reason was that during the Nazi regime, Hitler forced Jews to wear a yellow Star of David on their sleeve.  Stanley Kubrick was a Jew.

HITLER REFERENCE

In the final scene, the last shot dissolves.  For half a second, we see a Hitler mustache on Jack Nicholson and the date 1921 – the year Hitler became the leader of the Nazi Party.

AS ABOVE, SO BELOW

In the framed black & white photography, Jack holds one hand up, the other down.  The “As above, so below” gesture used by Satanists in the Illuminati.  Kubrick would go to greater lengths on the subject in “Eyes Wide Shut” (1999.)

AMERICAN INDIAN REFERENCES

It’s revealed that the Overlook Hotel was built on Indian burial ground.  (This was two years before “Poltergeist” used the same plot device.)

When Danny envisions blood pouring out of the elevators, it’s because the ground underneath them contains the bodies and the blood of the Indians.

THE NUMBER 11 – THE SHINING – STANLEY’S KUBRICK’S 11TH FILM

Danny wears an Apollo 11 sweater – an obvious reference to the rumor that Kubrick filmed a fake moon landing.

CATCHER IN THE RYE

Mark David Chapman and “The Catcher in the Rye”

J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye” became well known as the book Mark David Chapman was reading when he shot John Lennon.  Early in the film, we see Wendy reading it.  Is this book a trigger?  What’s so eerie about it is that “The Shining” was released six months before Lennon’s murder.  Chapman explained his motive for the murder:  to draw attention to Salinger’s novel.

ROOM 237

What is Room 237?   It appears to be a portal to another dimension.

Both Danny and Jack have “the shining” (E.S.P.)  Both enter the forbidden room.

After Danny is attacked by the woman in Room 237, Jack investigates.  Once inside, he encounters a nude woman who kisses him, then turns into a cancer-ridden old crone.  When questioned by Wendy, he has no memory of it.

VOICES

When Danny and Mr. Halloran have a conversation in the kitchen, other worldly voices can be heard.

ABBEY ROAD clue

“The Shining” (1980)  and The Beatles album cover for “Abbey Road” (1969.)

Many will notice the peculiar lineup wherein the four characters from “The Shining” all walk together in a straight line and how it resembled the cover to The Beatles album titled “Abbey Road”. (Their final record.)  Was Stanley Kubrick and the Illuminati warning us of the connection between Mark David Chapman and Jack Torrance?  (Trained brainwashed assassins.)  Who or what made the fictional character of Jack Torrance go insane?  Who or what made Chapman shoot and kill John Lennon?

FINAL SEQUENCE CUT

After the Shining’s premiere, director Kubrick would edit out the finale.  The original conclusion shows Wendy recovering in the hospital.  Mr. Ullman tells her that Jack’s body was never found.  He invites her and Danny to his home to recuperate, then hands the mysterious ball over to Danny.  Mr. Ullman obviously knows more than he is telling.  Were the supernatural occurrences really a psyop to drive Jack Torrance insane?  And by handing the ball over to Danny, does this mean he’s next?

Text © 2025 – EricReports

Elvis Suicide? (Final Chapter)

August 15-16, 1977.  Elvis Presley was in preparation for his next tour beginning on the 17th in Portland, Maine.

Advance ticket for the concert that never was.

Elvis and his then sometime live-in girlfriend Ginger Alden had some dental work done.

Returning to Graceland, “El” played racquetball on an added-on court.  Afterward, he sang a few songs, one being “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain”.

Elvis and Ginger retired to their bedroom.  According to Ginger, Elvis proposed to her announcing a Christmas wedding.  There were several motives.

One.  Elvis wanted a son.

Two.  Elvis wanted his ex-wife Priscilla to know he didn’t need her anymore.

Three.  This was being done to combat rumors the “King” was living a Howard Hughes-type existence, living in solitude, dependent on servants and a large supply of drugs.   “Elvis:  What Happened?”, a tell-all book by his fired bodyguards had been released on August 1st.  “El” had already read an advance copy and was planning a rebuttal – an autobiography of his own titled, “Walk a Mile in My Shoes”.

According to his chef, Elvis had another girl ready to go with him for the start of the tour.  Reason:  Ginger Alden was his first modern woman.  She refused to be molded, frequently stood him up, and at times, seemed uninterested.  The other girl was a ploy to make Ginger jealous.  If all went according to plan, “El” would publicly announce their engagement on the last day of the tour in Memphis.

DRUGS.  Elvis’s stepbrother Rick Stanley theorized that Elvis had saved all of his sleeping medication (three packets) and took them all at once for a fatal overdose.  True or not, drugs accumulate over time.  The narcotics taken (along with the pain medication from the dentist) may have had a cumulative effect.  Intentional or not, the ten drugs found in  his system, built up to a fatal O.D.

COCAINE.  No cocaine was found in Elvis’s system, but according to those around him, he was hooked on it.  The habit began around 1970.  Elvis began wearing sunglasses all the time to cover up his glazed expression.

(Above.  Example of a drug-fueled Elvis singing “A Whole Lot-ta Shakin’ Goin’ On”)

1977.  Elvis was under contract with RCA to record several albums a year.  For that year, only “Moody Blue” had been released, containing his final studio recordings and a few added live songs.  In January, Elvis refused to finish the album because Ginger failed to appear at his recording session.  In June, a live TV special was recorded titled “Elvis in Concert”.  (Released posthumously in October.)  It was the number one rated program of the week.  After a rerun in 1978, it wasn’t aired again except for pirated versions.

STUCK IN A RUT.  As in the 1960’s with the movies, Elvis found himself trapped in a never-ending tour singing the same songs.  A martial-arts documentary was abandoned.  A chance to star with Barbra Streisand in “A Star is Born” fell through because Col. Parker made unrealistic demands.  (Star billing, $1 million upfront and songs from his own composers.)

Elvis continued to sing saying he wanted to bring happiness to his fans.  The King was also being sued, losing money in a bad investment deal and hadn’t saved anything for the future.  Sadly, by age 42, his performances were suffering.  HIs memory was fading, he was unable to move because of his weight and he knew it.

ANALYSIS.  While suicide is not impossible, I believe Elvis’s death was accidental; the causes being a combination of drugs, being grossly overweight and too many years of neglect.  Ginger Alden should have been more alert to the fact of his failing health.  Previous girlfriend Linda Thompson remarked, “It didn’t happen on my watch.”  By August 1977, Elvis needed 24-hour care and a full-time nurse.

Following his death, a resurgence of interest began in his music.  Daughter Lisa Marie would also record three albums before her untimely death from the aftereffects of bariatric surgery.

Lisa Marie Presley with her daughter Riley

Text © 2025 – EricReports

The Hackmans Cause of Death

Gene Hackman’s Oscar Memorial

The police coroner has determined the causes of death for actor Gene Hackman and his wife, legally known as Betsy Arakawa Hackman.

NARRATIVE

Mrs. Hackman was last seen on Feb. 11th at a veterinarian appointment with her dog, Xena.  Afterward, she purchased some dog food and was seen at CVS pharmacy.  At this stage, she had come in contact with a hantavirus, a disease carried by rodents in New Mexico.  Where or how this happened is not known.  24 to 48 hours after Betsy’s last public appearance, she would succumb to the fatal effects of her illness.  It’s assumed she did not know what she had and ignored the symptoms – maintaining her role as Gene Hackman’s wife and caregiver.  The pills found by her side were thyroid medication.

Gene Hackman, (last publicly seen in March 2024 visiting his doctor) was in declining health.  Reports state he suffered from Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease.  Because Mr. Hackman didn’t phone 911, it’s believed he didn’t know what happened to his wife or didn’t know what to do.  In the last five to seven days, Mr. Hackman was forced to fend for himself.  On Feb. 18th, Gene Hackman collapsed and died from his earlier mentioned illnesses.

ERRORS IN JUDGMENT

Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa Hackman

The Hackmans lived a solitary existence on their large estate not accounting for what would happen if Betsy Arakawa wasn’t able to provide for her husband or care for herself.

Hackman’s three adult children had lost contact with their father, rarely calling.  This embitterment was caused by being ignored when they were young while their father was making movies.

Actions or non-actions have consequences.  What Gene Hackman thought of his children ignoring him in his final years isn’t known.

Final days

Text © 2025 – EricReports

Hackman Update (9-1-1 call)

Since actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead on Feb. 26th, there have been a number of new developments.


The above 9-1-1 call:

Ron the caretaker calls 9-1-1 from “Santa Fe Summit”.

Ron:  “I think we just found two or one deceased person inside a house.”

9-1-1 operator:  “Are they awake?”

Ron:  “I have no idea.”

9-1-1 operator:  “Are they breathing?”

Ron:  “I have no idea.  I’m not inside the house.  It’s closed.  It’s locked.  I can’t get in, but I see she’s laying down on the floor from the window.”


Ron states that at least one, maybe two people are “deceased” in the house.  When asked if they are awake or breathing, why would he say “I have no idea.”

Gene Hackman and his three children (1978.)

Gene Hackman had three adult children by a previous marriage.  Reportedly, they were estranged from their father and had little or no contact with him.

It was planned for Betsy Arakawa to handle the funeral arrangements.  The children (now rich) will have to deal with it because of the wife’s unforeseen death.

The current theory is that Hackman had a stroke or heart attack and that Arakawa suffered the same fate rushing into the bathroom for medication.

By now, police and the coroner must know the cause of death for their dog.  (And whether or not the dog died at the same time or days later.)  If Gene Hackman and his wife died from natural causes they would know that also.  Only if it’s something else would it take longer.

Text © 2025 – ERN

The Mysterious Deaths of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa

Santa Fe, New Mexico.  On Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, the bodies of actor/writer Gene Hackman, 95,  and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 64, were found in their 3.3 million dollar estate.  Time of death can be ascertained from Hackman’s pacemaker:  Feb. 17th, meaning he had been dead for ten days.  A pair of sunglasses and a cane were found near his body in the foyer.

Betsy Arakawa accompanies actor Gene Hackman.  She was formerly a classical pianist.

Betsy Arakawa was found in the bathroom near a bottle of spilled prescription pills.  Police have seized three types of medication:  Diltiazem (for high blood pressure), a thyroid supplement and Tylenol.  Two cell phones and a yearly planner were also confiscated.

Their secluded home. Hackman & wife helped design their estate which appeared in “Architectural Digest”

Strangely, their dog was also found dead.  Conflicting reports state the dog was either in a closet or a crate.  Two other dogs survived.  All three were German Shepherds.

WHAT HAPPENED? – CLUES

Originally, police reported no foul play and assumed it was caused by a gas leak.  Since then, these tests have proven negative.

Possibilities.  Mr. Hackman may have died from a heart attack or stroke.  His wife may have run in the bathroom for medication, then suddenly suffered the same fate.

The dog who died may have been on his way to the veterinarian or was dying.  If this was Hackman’s favorite dog, the stress could have killed Hackman.

MURDER

It’s impossible to rule out murder.  How or why is unknown.  It is unfortunate that celebrities attract some insane fans.  Death could have been caused by poisoning.  It’s almost unheard of for two people to die suddenly without explanation and be left alone for a week and a half.

CAREER

Gene Hackman was one of the most popular actors of the 1970’s.  He received two Academy Awards for “The French Connection” (1971) and “Unforgiven” (1992.)  There were three other Oscar nominations for “Bonnie & Clyde” (1967), “I Never Sang for My Father” (1970) and “Mississippi Burning” (1988.)

BAFTA Awards.  The British equivalent of the Oscar won Hackman three awards for “The French Connection”, “The Poseidon Adventure” and “Unforgiven”.

The Golden Globes (Hollywood Foreign Press) awarded him for “The French Connection”, “Unforgiven” and “The Royal Tenenbaums” and he was given the Cecil B. DeMille Award.  (Similar to a lifetime achievement award.)

“The Conversation” (1974) also received two nominations for his acting.  (BAFTA and the Globes.)

Commercial Hits.  Gene Hackman was both a critics and audience favorite: “Superman” (1978) and “Superman II” (1981), “Uncommon Valor” (1983), “Hoosiers” (1986), “The Firm” (1993) “Get Shorty” (1995) and “The Birdcage” (1996.)  The list goes on…

It could take weeks, months or these deaths may go unresolved.

Text © 2025 – EricReports

Roberta Flack Dead

Singer Roberta Flack, 88, died Feb. 24, 2025, from a heart attack in Manhattan.  She had been suffering from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis otherwise known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease) since 2022.

Ms. Flack’s career spanned decades from the late 1960’s until her ALS diagnosis.

Her career peak was in the early 70’s with the hit song “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face”, used in the Clint Eastwood directed/starring film called “Play Misty for Me” (1971.)  Flack followed this with “Killing Me Softly”.  The two songs would win back to back Grammy’s in 1973 and 1974.  (Record of the Year.)

Text © 2025 – EricReports

Michelle Trachtenberg Suicide?

N.Y.C., Feb. 26, 2025.  Michelle Trachtenberg, 39, former star of “Harriet the Spy” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl” was found dead by her mother in her Manhattan apartment.  No official cause of death has been listed and the family has refused an autopsy.  Ms. Trachtenberg had undergone a liver transplant earlier last year.   Ambulance technicians were given a code that Trachtenberg was “emotionally disturbed”.   Recent pictures and Internet posts show a troubled young woman in her last days.

Began as a child star in the 1996 popular film.

Text © 2025 – ERN

The End of Star Trek

This short film titled “765874 Unification” is a fitting and moving conclusion to the long-running series known as “Star Trek”.

It originally started off in 1966 with three main characters:  Capt. James T. Kirk, First Officer Mr. Spock and Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy.  [William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley.]  They were the backbone of “Star Trek” and probably why none of the subsequent spinoffs could match them.  The last film with any of the original characters was “Star Trek – Generations”.  That’s where “765874 Unification” begins and ends.

Text © 2024 – EricReports

Kathy O’Dare (1957-2010)

Kathy O’Dare with co-star Ron Howard from “Happy Days”

We often hear of the stars who made it, but not of the ones who don’t.  In the sad case of Kathy O’Dare, she’s on the nearly-made-it list.  Directors Gary Marshall and Richard Donner predicted she would be a big star.

Kathy’s career peaked in 1974 when she co-starred with Ron Howard on the pilot episode of “Happy Days”.  In Episode 1 titled “Going All the Way”, O’Dare is Mary Lou Mulligan, Richie Cunningham’s first girlfriend.  She was proposed at becoming a series regular.  This idea was dropped in favor of Richie’s friendships with Potsie, Ralph Malph and the Fonz.

After being dumped by ABC, Kathy moved on to guest roles on “The Brady Bunch”, “Kojak” and “Bronk”.  Film credits include “Eat My Dust”, “Texas Detour” and the ironically titled “The Greatest Thing that Almost Happened”.

Her downfall.  In 1975, Kathy O’Dare was raped by two strange men while on vacation in Hawaii.  Soon after, she suffered from a nervous breakdown.  She was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

Kathy was still able to finish college with an AA degree.  Unfortunately, her mental illness continued and she spent the rest of her life in and out of mental hospitals and halfway houses.

Kathy O’Dare committed suicide in 2010.

Kathy’s story is told in the biography “Is Everybody Happy? – The Untold Story of Kathy O’Dare” by her brother David D’Orazi.

Is Everybody Happy? The Untold Story of Kathy O'Dare — Flintridge Bookstore

Text © 2024 – ERN

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

EricReports doesn’t often recommend any new films because there aren’t any worth seeing; however, “Super/Man:  The Christopher Reeve Story” is an exception.  It is a documentary of how the actor most famously known as Superman became another type of hero when combating his paralysis.

Sadly, Brooke Ellison (1978-2024) makes her final appearance in this film.  Reeve would direct “The Brooke Ellison Story” (2004) shortly before his death.

Films are made of moments.  For me, it’s Chris Reeve’s dog who accompanies him in his wheelchair along a narrow path.

Text © 2024 – ERN

Shelley Duvall Dead

Actress Shelley Duvall has died from complications of diabetes at the age of 75.

Shelley Duvall in “The Shining” (1980)

Young Shelley Duvall

Shelley Duvall would win “Best Actress” award from the Cannes Film Festival for “3 Women” (1977.)

“3 Women” with Sissy Spacek

As Olive Oyl in “Popeye” (1980) with Robin Williams

Brewster McCloud (1970)

“Annie Hall” (1977)

“Thieves like Us” (1974)

“Nashville” (1975)

Faerie Tale Theatre (1982)

“Rapunzel” (1983)

“Frankenweenie” (1984)

Final Role: “The Forest Hills” (2023)

Rod Steiger

Back in the 1960’s, Rod Steiger was considered one of the top actors in Hollywood.  He would receive an Academy Award for Best Actor for “In the Heat of the Night” (1967.)  But for me, that wasn’t his best performance.  Steiger would also be nominated for “On the Waterfront” (1954) and “The Pawnbroker” (1965).

When you watch the taxicab scene from “On the Waterfront”, watch Rod Steiger.  He is told by his brother Terry Malloy (Brando) how his own brother sold him out.  The look, the reaction.  He knows every word of it is true and it destroys him.

In “The Pawnbroker”, Steiger is Sol Nazerman, a survivor of the Holocaust.  He is an empty shell of a man.  Others try to reach him, but he’s untouchable.  There are many outstanding scenes.  For me, the best is when he’s asked “Why are your people so good at business?”

Lee Marvin would somehow win the Oscar for “Cat Ballou”, a comedy-western.  Proof positive the Academy is insane.

After winning an Oscar in 1968, Rod Steiger could pretty much pick and choose any role he wanted.  His next three films:  “No Way to Treat a Lady”, “The Sergeant” and “The Illustrated Man” were chancy, gutsy performances.

In “No Way to Treat a Lady”, Rod plays a psychopathic strangler who kills old ladies that remind him of his mother.  It’s a superb thriller except for the cop-out ending.  Based on a novel by William Goldman.

Rod Steiger as Christopher Gill in “No Way to Treat a Lady”

“The Sergeant” chronicles how Steiger (as Master Sergeant Albert Callan) tries to take over a young man’s life. (John Phillip Law as Pvt. Swanson.)   A closeted homosexual, his character weeps, tries to kiss the object of his affection and then says, “I didn’t do that.”   Critics trashed the movie, but few actors would have the guts to play it back in the 1960’s.

Tagline: “Just one weakness . . . just one.”

“The Illustrated Man” is an anthology held together by the lead character (Steiger as Carl) who tells his story to a young drifter (Robert Drivas as Willie.)  Claire Bloom (then Steiger’s wife) is the mysterious women named Felicia who goes “Back into the future”.    As Carl says, “She went back into her house and took the whole blessed thing with her.”

Ray Bradbury Week: The Illustrated ManThe Illustrated Man (1969)

Carl’s stories are told through his tattoos (“Skin illustrations”, he insists.)  The plot eludes to reincarnation.  The same characters reappear through our life, over and over again.

The Illustrated Man (1969)

“The Illustrated Man” is a flawed, but fascinating film, noteworthy for its score (Jerry Goldsmith) and a dog Carl carries around in a bag.  (Pogo as “Peke”.)

Rod Steiger’s career would take a nosedive with the box-office failure aptly titled “Waterloo” (1970.)  In ’71, he replaced Eli Wallach as Tuco in “Duck, You Sucker”.  (A semi-sequel to “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” – directed by Sergio Leone.  It flopped.  Like many actors, Rod Steiger suffered from clinical depression.  Being regarded as one of the world’s great actors, then seeing it crumble from a series of bad movies and a divorce from Claire Bloom was a shame.  He would make several comebacks in “The Amityville Horror” (1979) and “The Specialist” (1994.)

Rod Steiger (1925-2002.)  Died from complications from the removal of a gallbladder tumor.

Text © 2024 – EricReports

They All Laughed

They All Laughed (1981) - Posters — The Movie Database (TMDB)

Director Peter Bogdanovich’s “comedy” has become primarily known as the third and last film Dorothy Stratten appeared in.  1980’s Playmate of the Year was killed by a shotgun blast to the face by her husband/manager Paul Snider, who then killed himself.  Bogdanovich, the survivor of the lover’s triangle was left alone to edit his film.

Backstory.  “They All Laughed” was written for Audrey Hepburn by the director himself and meant to be a throwback to the screwball comedies of yesteryear.

Earlier in 1979, after meeting and falling in love with Miss Stratten, Peter would rewrite the script, making her character central to the two stories happening simultaneously.   (Audrey Hepburn and Ben Gazzara’s roles were shortened to make room for the Dorothy Stratten-John Ritter story.)

PLOT.  Three detectives, (Ben Gazarra as John Russo, John Ritter as Charles Rutledge and Blane Novak as Arthur Brodsky) investigate two seperate cases.  Russo is hired to find out if Audrey Hepburn’s character (Angela Niotes) is having an affair.  Rutledge is investigating Stratten’s character Dolores Martin.

What Works, What Doesn’t

It’s always good to see Audrey Hepburn again.

They All Laughed (1981) - MUBI

Ben Gazzara with Audrey Hepburn

This would be one her last film roles.  It’s too bad she doesn’t have much to do, except play off a morose Ben Gazarra, who was going through a divorce at the time.  [A year earlier, they had their own affair while filming “Bloodline” (1979).]

Bloodline (1979)

Dorothy Stratten has an undeniable screen presence.

Dorothy Stratten

Whether she can act or not is beside the point:   she is playing herself.  Besides stunning good looks, she knew how to move and that is not a little thing.  Graceful, tall, lean and voluptuous, Bogdannovich artfully uses her to her best effect.  It’s unfortunate others used her for their own ends.

John Ritter’s comedic timing is perfect for the film.

with John Ritter

His scenes with Stratten and Coleen Camp (as C & W singer Christy Miller) are the highpoints.  The standout, laugh-out-loud moments are the rolling rink sequence with Dorothy –

and the “touch assist” massage he gets from Coleen Camp.

John Ritter with Coleen Camp

As comedies go, “They All Laugh” is unusually long and complicated.  It may take several viewing for the average viewer to figure it out.

For Dorothy’s fans, it’s a must.  She would never be more gorgeous and like a flower be cut down in her prime.

undefined

Text © 2024 – EricReports

Elvis Suicide (Part IV)

Elvis ex-wife Priscilla and his half-brother Rick Stanley have either said or implied that Elvis Presley killed himself with a deliberate drug overdose.  Their theory goes that Elvis saved up his medications (known as “attacks”) and then took them all at once.  Is there a hole in this theory?  Possibly.

Elvis and Ginger Alden (1977)

Elvis’s girlfriend Ginger Alden was sleeping in the next room.  Wouldn’t she save him if awakened?  (Except, she didn’t.)

Additionally, I don’t believe Elvis would want to die by a toilet or commit suicide with his daughter Lisa Marie in the house.

The Turning Point – 1976

Col. Tom Parker and Elvis argued over the amount of money he way paying his new backup group named *****.  Parker said they weren’t worth $100,000, only $50,000.  “El” said he would pay them whatever he wanted.  In truth, ***** was being paid extra for supplying the “King of Rock ‘n Roll” cocaine.  Elvis’s bodyguard Red West attacked a member of the group, saying he would break one of his bones for each drug transaction he made in the future.  Soon after, Red was reprimanded by his boss Elvis in front of Sonny West.  After a long discussion, Elvis finally told Red, “I need it, man.  I need it.”

Written by his bodyguards shortly after they were fired.

August 1, 1977.  The scandal book “Elvis – What Happened?” had been released, detailing the years of drug abuse.  The “King” had plans to deny all by writing his own book and by marrying Ginger.  Unfortunately, his appearance in “Elvis in Concert” only proved what the book was saying:  that his life had become a train wreck.

Elvis 1977

In my opinion, the drugs taken on Aug. 15-16 1977, had a culminative effect.  The steady buildup of nearly a dozen drugs (Codeine, Quaaludes) built up in Elvis’s system, causing a fatal reaction.  Did he plan it that way?  I don’t see proof.  Like most addicts, “El” was in denial and thought he had it under control.  It was only a matter of time before it killed him.

Text © 2024 – ERN

The Crow Aftermath

Haunted Lake View Cemetery Seattle | hubpages

Following Brandon Lee’s sudden death, the filmmakers originally did not want to complete “The Crow”.

Shortly before his death, Brandon Lee would do his last interview contained on home video.

$18 million had already been p0ured into the troubled production.  To the press, it was told the movie would be finished because “Brandon would have wanted it that way.”  In reality, it was done because too much money had been invested.

Completion

Eight days remained on the shooting schedule.  Most of what was missing was Brandon Lee’s portrayal of Eric Draven BEFORE his character was killed.  Fortunately, enough of the backstory was filmed for it to make sense.  Director Alex Proyas would cut this down t0 a series of montages.  The role of Shelly Webster (played by Sofia Shinas) would be reduced.

Consequently, “The Crow” would be mostly about the returned-to-life avenger and not the indie rock star and front-man for the band called “Hangman’s Joke”.

Digital and CGI effects were in their infancy back in 1993.  Nevertheless, through clever editing, rotoscopes, doubling and CGI, what wasn’t filmed with Lee was done with the art of special effects.

The cast and crew had mixed feelings about finishing “The Crow” without Brandon.  A few of the crew quit.  The Lee family decided it was the right thing to do, so the public would get to see him in his star-making role.

The studio that was signed on to distribute it – Paramount – backed out.  The up-and-coming Miramax (headed by Bob and Harvey Weinstein) saw its potential.  “There’s no such thing as bad publicity,” said Harvey Weinstein.  “The Crow” would be released on May 13, 1994, reaching #1 at the box office.

undefinedundefined

The soundtrack album would achieve similar success.

Actress Rochelle Davis (Sarah) asked if an hour and a half movie was worth someone’s life.

Rochelle Davis as Sarah in “The Crow”

On the VHS version of “The Crow”, Brandon Lee’s said without equivocation that he would do the same thing as Eric Draven . . . This kind of violence was justified.  It would be cut from the Blu Ray edition.

“The Crow” and its sequels.

Text © 2024 – EricReports