62. The Shining with Brian Towns

In 2021, our good friend David Constantine reached out to Stephen with exciting news—he was heading to Texas to meet Shelley Duvall, the wonderful actress made famous for her portrayal of Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s "The Shining.” Stephen suggested that David record the meeting and conduct an informal interview with Shelley. David agreed, and that December, he and his nephew Joe drove to Texas to meet Shelley at a local restaurant in her hometown. Recorded: December 2021 We caught up with David recently to chat with him about his time with Shelley. Recorded: 17th July 2024 We also spoke with Shining super-fan Lee Unkrich to reminisce and remember his own fond and special memories of Shelley Duvall. Recorded: 23rd July 2024 Hosted by Jason Furlong / Written by Stephen Rigg, Mark Lentz  and Jason Furlong  / Produced and edited by Stephen Rigg Please support us at : www.patreon.com/user?u=67509795 Kubrick’s Universe Podcast (KUP) - Facebook Page : www.facebook.com/KubricksUniverse Kubrick's Universe Podcast (KUP) - Youtube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnGFwtfJ5IuGAGpbrKjMQ9g The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Facebook Group : www.facebook.com/groups/TSKAS/ The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - YouTube Channel : www.youtube.com/c/TheStanleyKubrickAppreciationSociety1 The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Twitter Page : https://twitter.com/KubrickAS Contact : [email protected]

This is the fourth part of our Thekatria Kubrick series. This time, we look at Kubrick’s fourth feature film Paths of Glory from 1957. Hosted by Mark Lentz, moderated by James Robert Sherman and populated by members of THE SKAS ACADEMY. Part 4, Paths of Glory from 1957. Recorded: 30th September 2023 Hosted by Jason Furlong / Written by Stephen Rigg and Jason Furlong / Theme and original music written and performed by Jason Furlong / Produced and edited by Stephen Rigg Please support us at : www.patreon.com/user?u=67509795 Kubrick’s Universe Podcast (KUP) - Facebook Page : www.facebook.com/KubricksUniverse Kubrick's Universe Podcast (KUP) - Youtube Channel : www.youtube.com/@kubricksuniversepodcast The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Facebook Group : www.facebook.com/groups/TSKAS/ The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - YouTube Channel : www.youtube.com/@stanleykubrickappreciation The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Twitter Page : https://twitter.com/KubrickAS Contact : [email protected]

This is the third part of our Thekatria Kubrick series. This time, we look at Kubrick’s third feature film The Killing from 1956. Hosted by Mark Lentz, moderated by James Robert Sherman and populated by members of THE SKAS ACADEMY. Part 3, The Killing from 1956. Recorded: 23rd September 2023 Hosted by Jason Furlong / Written by Stephen Rigg and Jason Furlong / Theme and original music written and performed by Jason Furlong / Produced and edited by Stephen Rigg Please support us at : www.patreon.com/user?u=67509795 Kubrick’s Universe Podcast (KUP) - Facebook Page : www.facebook.com/KubricksUniverse Kubrick's Universe Podcast (KUP) - Youtube Channel : www.youtube.com/@kubricksuniversepodcast The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Facebook Group : www.facebook.com/groups/TSKAS/ The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - YouTube Channel : www.youtube.com/@stanleykubrickappreciation The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Twitter Page : https://twitter.com/KubrickAS Contact : [email protected]

Here is the second episode in our Thekatria Kubrick series. This time, it is of course Kubrick’s second feature film Killer’s Kiss, that will be discussed. Hosted by Mark Lentz, moderated by James Robert Sherman and populated by members of THE SKAS ACADEMY, Jonathan Harvey, Robert Koehler, Mark McKennon, Nick LaMattina, James Philip, Brian Kahn, David Sukovaty, Kathy Metzger and Ian Roscow. Part 2, Killer's Kiss from 1955. Recorded: 16th September 2023 Hosted by Jason Furlong / Written by Stephen Rigg and Jason Furlong / Theme and original music written and performed by Jason Furlong / Produced and edited by Stephen Rigg Please support us at : www.patreon.com/user?u=67509795 Kubrick’s Universe Podcast (KUP) - Facebook Page : www.facebook.com/KubricksUniverse Kubrick's Universe Podcast (KUP) - Youtube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnGFwtfJ5IuGAGpbrKjMQ9g The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Facebook Group : www.facebook.com/groups/TSKAS/ The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - YouTube Channel : www.youtube.com/c/TheStanleyKubrickAppreciationSociety1 The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Twitter Page : https://twitter.com/KubrickAS Contact : [email protected]

This is the first of a new 13 x part series, coming from the mind of our very own Mark Lentz, in which each of Kubrick's feature films will be discussed in chronological order. The series is called ‘Thekatria Kubrick’, which is in the format of a round-table discussion hosted  by Mark Lentz, moderated by James Robert Sherman and populated by members of THE SKAS ACADEMY. Part 1, Fear and Desire from 1952. Recorded: 9th September 2023 Hosted by Jason Furlong / Written by Stephen Rigg and Jason Furlong / Theme and original music written and performed by Jason Furlong / Produced and edited by Stephen Rigg Please support us at : www.patreon.com/user?u=67509795 Kubrick’s Universe Podcast (KUP) - Facebook Page : www.facebook.com/KubricksUniverse Kubrick's Universe Podcast (KUP) - Youtube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnGFwtfJ5IuGAGpbrKjMQ9g The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Facebook Group : www.facebook.com/groups/TSKAS/ The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - YouTube Channel : www.youtube.com/c/TheStanleyKubrickAppreciationSociety1 The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Twitter Page : https://twitter.com/KubrickAS Contact : [email protected]  

Ken Shane was born in London, England in the 1960s. He has been an assistant director for almost 40 years, and worked as a production manager during that time as well.  One of Ken’s first jobs was working for George Lucas on a little box office flop in 1980 called The Empire Strikes Back. He continued working straight on from that time, and has over 100 film and TV productions on his resume. In 1985 he worked with Tobe Hooper on the insanely over-the-top space vampire classic Lifeforce as well as on Ridley Scott’s Legend. He was busy as well in 1987, working on Superman 4: The Quest For Peace, John Boorman’s Hope And Glory, and Steven Spielberg’s Empire Of The Sun. He went on to work on Tim Burton’s Batman in 1989. He would work with Burton again on 1999’s Sleepy Hollow, but not before being Second Unit Assistant Director on David Fincher’s criminally underrated debut, Alien3. Ken served as AD on HBO’s Band Of Brothers in 2001, working with Spielberg again, and Tom Hanks.  Ken Shane Has worked with everyone from Tom Cruise to Meryl Streep, to Sir John Gielgud, Al Pacino, Gene Hackman, Christian Bale, Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Johnny Depp, to Sigourney Weaver, Christopher Walken and beyond.  He moved to Vancouver, Canada in 2004, and has continued to work steadily in the Canadian film industry, but what has this got to do with Stanley Kubrick? Well, Ken Shane was 3rd Assistant Director on Kubrick’s antiwar masterpiece, Full Metal Jacket. So now you will hear Ken talking about working with Kubrick, and other areas of his long career in the movie biz. Recorded: 6th July 2020 Hosted by Jason Furlong / Written by Stephen Rigg and Jason Furlong / Theme and original music written and performed by Jason Furlong / Produced and edited by Stephen Rigg Please support us at : www.patreon.com/user?u=67509795 Kubrick’s Universe Podcast (KUP) - Facebook Page : www.facebook.com/KubricksUniverse Kubrick's Universe Podcast (KUP) - Youtube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnGFwtfJ5IuGAGpbrKjMQ9g The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Facebook Group : www.facebook.com/groups/TSKAS/ The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - YouTube Channel : www.youtube.com/c/TheStanleyKubrickAppreciationSociety1 The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Twitter Page : https://twitter.com/KubrickAS Contact : [email protected]  

Stuart Cooper has made significant contributions to the film industry as an accomplished actor, writer and director.  His early acting career in the 1960s showcased his talent through various film and TV appearances, including his notable role as Roscoe Lever in the 1967 classic war film "The Dirty Dozen" In which young Stuart held his own among such heavyweight actors as Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, and Donald Sutherland. However, Stuart’s passion always lay in directing, and he eventually pursued this path wholeheartedly. He directed his first feature film, "Little Malcolm and his Struggle Against the Eunuchs,” in 1974. The film was very well-received film. It starred John Hurt and David Warner, and was based on a play by David Halliwell. Little Malcolm And His Struggle Against The Eunuchs established Stuart’s directorial skills, winning him the Berlin Silver Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival that year. Yet, it was his second film, "Overlord," released in 1975, that truly solidified his position as a notable director. "Overlord" is a remarkable fusion of documentary and fiction, recounting the story of a young soldier killed during the D-Day landings in Normandy. Combining meticulously upgraded images of archival war footage with impeccably crafted scenes by Stuart, the film created a haunting and impactful experience that garnered international acclaim and again won him the Berlin Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. Today, Overlord remains a hallmark of cinema preserved by the Criterion Collection. And we can't recommend it highly enough. Through his unique storytelling approach and innovative visual aesthetics, Stuart continues to inspire and influence filmmakers and cinephiles worldwide. Today, Cooper remains an esteemed figure in the entertainment industry, and his work continues to captivate audiences. Now, Stuart Cooper and Stanley Kubrick had an interesting career parallel throughout the 1970s. Both men had the distinction of using cinematography legend John Alcott on three films,  for Stuart, the films were Little Malcolm, Overlord and The Disappearance. Stanley utilized the brilliance of Alcott as cinematographer on A Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon and The Shining.  Oh, and we also have for you a very rare recording that Stuart personally asked Stanley Kubrick to make as a tribute to John Alcott following Alcott’s death in 1986. You will hear that in this episode. So get ready to hear Stuart speak with us about working with Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Orson Welles, George Harrison and John Hurt. We of course discuss 2001, ACO, Barry Lyndon, The Shining, and how Stuart got to know Kubrick. Recorded: 4th March 2023 Hosted by Jason Furlong / Written by Stephen Rigg and Jason Furlong / Theme and original music written and performed by Jason Furlong / Produced and edited by Stephen Rigg Please support us at : www.patreon.com/user?u=67509795 Kubrick’s Universe Podcast (KUP) - Facebook Page : www.facebook.com/KubricksUniverse Kubrick's Universe Podcast (KUP) - Youtube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnGFwtfJ5IuGAGpbrKjMQ9g The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Facebook Group : www.facebook.com/groups/TSKAS/ The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - YouTube Channel : www.youtube.com/c/TheStanleyKubrickAppreciationSociety1 The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Twitter Page : https://twitter.com/KubrickAS Contact : [email protected]  

John Bates has worked in various jobs at Brunel University over the last 50 or so years. To Kubrick fans, Brunel University has a special resonance. It was of course the location of the Ludovico Medical Facility where Malcolm McDowell playing Alex, had his treatment. There were in fact four areas at the University used by Kubrick; Alex’s apartment ground floor lobby, where he comes home to his flat block, The Ludovico facility check-in, Alex’s bedroom at the Ludovico facility, and the now iconic Ludovico Therapy Screening Room, where we see Alex bound to a chair wearing lid-locks and forced to watch violence on the big screen. John as a 16 year old school leaver at his first job at Brunel was witness to Stanley Kubrick and his team filming ‘A Clockwork Orange’, and was even employed to work with Kubrick’s crew. Recorded: 17th January 2023 Hosted by Jason Furlong / Written by Stephen Rigg and Jason Furlong / Theme and original music written and performed by Jason Furlong / Produced and edited by Stephen Rigg Please support us at : www.patreon.com/user?u=67509795 Kubrick’s Universe Podcast (KUP) - Facebook Page : www.facebook.com/KubricksUniverse Kubrick's Universe Podcast (KUP) - Youtube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnGFwtfJ5IuGAGpbrKjMQ9g The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Facebook Group : www.facebook.com/groups/TSKAS/ The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - YouTube Channel : www.youtube.com/c/TheStanleyKubrickAppreciationSociety1 The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Twitter Page : https://twitter.com/KubrickAS Contact : [email protected]  

In this episode we bring to you an amazing guy named Brian Towns. You might not know the name, but you certainly know the face. Brian Towns began his career in show business as a photographic model in the 1950s. He went on to act in various theatre productions, doubled many actors in film and TV, and even worked as a stuntman for the James Bond franchise. In 1979 Stanley Kubrick was looking for someone to play the part of the ghostly hotel owner Mr. Horace Derwent for his next film, The Shining.  The character of Horace Derwent developed over the years from Stephen King’s original 1977 novel, through Kubrick’s film adaptation in 1980, onto Kings own mini-series in 1997, Kings 2013 follow up novel Dr. Sleep and finally in Mike Flanagan’s film adaptation of Dr. Sleep in 2019. So, now we give you Horace Derwent himself, Mr. Brian Towns. Recorded: 26th February 2023 Hosted by Jason Furlong / Written by Stephen Rigg and Jason Furlong / Theme and original music written and performed by Jason Furlong / Produced and edited by Stephen Rigg Please support us at : www.patreon.com/user?u=67509795 Kubrick’s Universe Podcast (KUP) - Facebook Page : www.facebook.com/KubricksUniverse Kubrick's Universe Podcast (KUP) - Youtube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnGFwtfJ5IuGAGpbrKjMQ9g The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Facebook Group : www.facebook.com/groups/TSKAS/ The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - YouTube Channel : www.youtube.com/c/TheStanleyKubrickAppreciationSociety1 The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Twitter Page : https://twitter.com/KubrickAS Contact : [email protected]  

As time goes by, we lose some of the amazingly talented people who worked with Stanley during his film career, and we recently lost composer/conductor, Gerald Fried, February 17th 2023 to be precise, at the grand old age of 95. We spoke to Gerald in late 2018 when he was just 90 years young. He was one of the earliest collaborators of Stanley Kubrick, dating back to the very early 1950s. Gerald Fried, a native New Yorker, had scored almost 300 films and television shows in a career spanning over 70 years. His movie scores include such varied titles as Machine Gun Kelly for Roger Corman, Jack Nicholson’s first feature film The Cry Baby Killer, The Killing of Sister George, Too Late The Hero & The Grisson Gang, all three for director Robert Aldrich. His TV credits include some of the most popular shows being produced at the time including M Squad, Wagon Train, Gunsmoke, Gilligan’s Island, The Man From Uncle, Mission Impossible, Lost In Space, Police Woman and Star Trek! He was nominated for an Oscar for Best Music with an Original Dramatic Score for the feature-length documentary Birds Do It, Bees Do it at the 1976 Academy Awards, up against several other notable composers with memorable scores. The Wind and the Lion from Jerry Goldsmith, Jack Nitzsche’s One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Bite The Bullet by Alex North, and the winner that year was……… John Williams for probably the most famous movie score of all time… JAWS. So Gerald was in great company that night. Gerald also won an Emmy for his work with Quincy Jones on the ground-breaking mini-series Roots from 1977. Having composed the scores for five of Stanley Kubrick's earliest films, Gerald is one of Kubrick’s most frequent collaborators. Fried and Kubrick first worked together as a composer & director partnership, both at the age of just 23, on the short film Day of the Fight back in 1951, followed by four feature films, Fear & Desire, Killer’s Kiss, The Killing and Paths of Glory. We released about 30 minutes of this interview back in January 2020, but now we present to you the entire three-hour interview in honour and respect of the late great, Mr. Gerald Fried. Recorded: 11th and 13th November 2018 Hosted by Jason Furlong / Written by Stephen Rigg and Jason Furlong / Theme and original music written and performed by Jason Furlong / Produced and edited by Stephen Rigg Please support us at : www.patreon.com/user?u=67509795 Kubrick’s Universe Podcast (KUP) - Facebook Page : www.facebook.com/KubricksUniverse Kubrick's Universe Podcast (KUP) - Youtube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnGFwtfJ5IuGAGpbrKjMQ9g The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Facebook Group : www.facebook.com/groups/TSKAS/ The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - YouTube Channel : www.youtube.com/c/TheStanleyKubrickAppreciationSociety1 The Stanley Kubrick Appreciation Society (SKAS) - Twitter Page : https://twitter.com/KubrickAS Contact : [email protected]