The Shining, Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel of the same name, was released by Warner Brothers in 1980. The movie, about an author with writer’s block who moves to an isolated hotel with his family, then gets possessed by supernatural forces, is a horror film classic. One of the scariest movies ever made, it aged well, and still retains its ability to thrill and chill viewers well into the fifth decade following its release. It received mixed reviews when first released, but today it is widely regarded as one of the greatest horror movies ever made. Below are some interesting facts about the creepy twins whose flitting appearances in that movie have been stamped in the minds of millions of viewers.
The Creepy Grady Twins
In a film full of the frightening, few things have sent more shivers down viewers’ spines than the Grady twins. The girls are best remembered for holding hands in hallways in matching frilly blue dresses, with pink ribbons, hair clips, and knee high socks. Played by British twins Lisa and Louise Burns, the creepy girls really wanted to play with young Danny Torrance, chanting “come and play with, Danny, forever, and ever, and ever”, apparently unwilling to take “no” for an answer.
The Grady girls’ scenes are among the film’s most memorable and readily recognizable. That is so despite the fact that throughout the entire movie, they are shown on screen for less than a minute total. The twins were ten years old when they starred opposite Jack Nicholson, and almost stole the movie. Their success in The Shining did not lead to long Hollywood careers, however.
Life After ‘The Shining’
After they became pop culture icons at such a young age, actresses Lisa and Louise Burns just about vanished from the public eye. As they revealed decades later, the twins’ success in The Shining actually damaged their acting careers. They were unable to enroll in British acting schools because they were deemed professionals – and thus ineligible. As a result, they were denied admission to the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.
Unable to secure admission to acting schools, the twins gave up on the thespian life, and pursued more prosaic careers. Lisa studied literature, and is now a lawyer who negotiates licenses for intellectual property. Her sister Louise, who pursued a science degree, is now a published microbiologist. And yes, they still want to play – both regularly attend horror conventions worldwide to meet fans.
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Some Sources & Further Reading
History Halls – After the Fame: Cooter, From the Dukes of Hazard to the Halls of Congress
Screen Rant – The Shining’s Twins Explained & Why the Movie Changed the Grady Sisters
