"Shining's Iconic Final Shot Photo Found After 45 Years"

Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film adaptation of *The Shining* is renowned for its eerie atmosphere, haunting performances, and unforgettable final shot — a chilling photograph from the Overlook Hotel’s 1921 Fourth of July ball. In the image, Jack Torrance (played by Jack Nicholson) appears prominently despite not having been born yet, leaving audiences puzzled and intrigued for decades. The unsettling visual was created by digitally inserting Nicholson into a real historical photograph, but the origins of that original image remained a mystery — until now.

After over 45 years of obscurity following its use in the film, the original 1921 photograph has finally been uncovered. Dr. Alasdair Spark, a retired academic from the University of Winchester, revealed the breakthrough on Getty Images’ Instagram. He explained how facial recognition technology helped identify the previously unknown man in the photo as Santos Casani, a London ballroom dancer. Further investigation confirmed that the image was one of three taken at a St. Valentine’s Day Ball on February 14, 1921, at the Empress Rooms in Kensington, captured by the Topical Press Agency.

Spark, alongside New York Times journalist Arick Toller and a group of dedicated Reddit sleuths, embarked on an extensive search to locate the original image. “It was starting to seem impossible,” Spark admitted. “Every cross-reference to Casani failed to match.” At times, they feared the photo might be lost to history forever. However, their persistence paid off when they discovered that the image had been sourced from the BBC Hulton Library, which was later acquired by Getty Images.

The research also led them back to Kubrick’s production team. On-set photographer Murray Close had used the image during filming, and records showed that the photo was officially licensed to Hawk Films, Kubrick’s production company, on October 10, 1978 — clearly for use in *The Shining*. This discovery confirmed the timeline and authenticity of the iconic shot.

“Joan Smith once claimed the photo was from 1923, but Stanley Kubrick was right — it was indeed from 1921,” Spark concluded. Contrary to popular speculation, the image doesn’t feature celebrities like the Trix Sisters or powerful figures such as bankers and politicians. There are no signs of occult imagery either. “Nobody was composited into it except Jack Nicholson,” he added. “It shows a group of ordinary London people on a Monday evening — ‘All the best people,’ as the manager of the Overlook Hotel would say.”

This revelation brings closure to one of cinema’s most enduring visual mysteries. For fans of *The Shining*, it's a fascinating glimpse into the meticulous detail behind Kubrick’s vision. And for film historians, it’s a reminder that even the smallest elements can carry deep significance. Meanwhile, Stephen King’s original novel, published in 1977, has seen two major adaptations: Kubrick’s legendary film and Mick Garris’ more faithful 1997 miniseries. Yet, nothing quite compares to the lingering unease of that final frame — now better understood, but no less haunting.