Shelley Duvall, known for her role as Wendy Torrance in Stanley Kubrick's iconic film “The Shining,” has revealed the devastating impact of the director's abusive behavior towards her during filming.
Duvall's appearance on Dr. Phil's show in 2016 was the first time she had been seen in public in over a decade, and viewers were disturbed by her deteriorating mental health.
During the interview, Duvall expressed her fear of being harmed if she claimed to be healthy.
She spoke cryptically about the Sheriff of Nottingham being after her and having a revolving dish implanted in her knee.
She also mentioned that Robin Williams, her co-star in “Popeye,” had not actually died but had “shapeshifted” into different forms.
Duvall's decline in mental health can be traced back to her experience working with Kubrick on “The Shining.”
Although author Stephen King had initially wanted Jessica Lange for the role of Wendy Torrance, Kubrick insisted on casting Duvall.
From the start, Kubrick subjected Duvall to punishment for unknown reasons and isolated her from the rest of the cast and crew.
In one infamous scene, Kubrick withheld information from Duvall about Jack Nicholson's character's intentions, capturing her genuine fear and terror.
The relentless demands of the director led to physical and emotional exhaustion for Duvall, who suffered from hair loss and stress-related illnesses during filming.
The door scene, in which Jack Torrance breaks through a bathroom door with an axe, was another source of torment for Duvall.
The scene took three days to film, with Duvall repeatedly portraying hysteria at Kubrick's insistence.
Nicholson himself witnessed the toll this took on Duvall, as she showed him clumps of hair that had fallen out.
After the release of “The Shining,” critics criticized Duvall's performance, describing it as exaggerated and comically bad.
Duvall felt overlooked and unappreciated by the public, while Kubrick received praise for his work.
Stephen King, the author of the novel on which the film was based, also expressed his disappointment with the portrayal of Wendy Torrance.
In the years following her career decline, Duvall has rarely been seen in public.
Her appearance on Dr. Phil's show sparked outrage, with Stanley Kubrick's daughter Vivian Kubrick condemning the interview as exploitative and cruel.
Vivian had witnessed firsthand the mistreatment her father subjected Duvall to during filming.
Duvall's last social media post was in February 2017, where she shared a throwback picture and reflected on the challenges of fame and ageism in Hollywood.
The Actors Fund of America reportedly stepped in to help pay for her treatment after the Dr. Phil interview.
Shelley Duvall's story sheds light on the dark side of the film industry and the lasting impact of abuse on mental health.
It serves as a reminder of the importance of treating actors with respect and compassion on and off set.
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