Listening to Stanley Kubrick (45 page)

18. James Naremore,
On Kubrick
(London: British Film Institute, 2007), 240.

19. Chion,
Eyes Wide Shut
, 21.

20. Naremore,
On Kubrick
, 228.

21. Arthur Schnitzler,
Night Games and Other Stories and Novellas
, trans. Margaret Schaefer (Chicago: Ivan R. Dee, 2002), 220.

22. Schnitzler,
Night Games
, 221–222.

23. Frederic Raphael,
Eyes Wide Open: A Memoir of Stanley Kubrick
(New York: Ballantine Books, 1999), 59.

24. Naremore,
On Kubrick
, 227.

25. Naremore,
On Kubrick
, 227.

26. Cocks,
Wolf at the Door,
146.

27. Naremore,
On Kubrick
, 276.

28. Webster,
Love and Death in Kubrick
, 161–162.

29. Howard,
Stanley Kubrick Companion
, 179.

30. Terry Southern,
Blue Movie
(New York: Grove Press, 1970), 15. Emphasis original.

31. Ciarán Crilly, “The Bigger Picture: Ligeti’s Music and the Films of Stanley Kubrick,” in
György Ligeti: Of Foreign Lands and Strange Sounds,
ed. Louise Duschesneau and Wolfgang Marx, 245–254 (Woodbridge: Bydell Press, 2011), 250.

32. Claudia Gorbman, “Ears Wide Open: Kubrick’s Music,” in
Changing Tunes: The Use of Pre-Existing Music in Film
, ed. Phil Powrie and Robynn Stilwell, 3–18. Nurlington, VT: Ashgate, 2006.

33. Letter from Ajay Shah Convenor to Warner Bros, August 3, 1999,
http://www.hindunet.org/anti_defamation/eyes/newpage1.htm
.

34. Gorbman, “Ears Wide Open,” 14.

35. Wagner, in addition to being a composer of epic operas, was also an unapologetic anti-Semite. Although Wagner died in 1883, his music of course lived on and became a favorite of Hitler and the Third Reich. Wagner’s importance as a composer is sometimes obscured by these historical facts.

36. Ernest Newman,
The Life of Richard Wagner:
Volume II, 1848
–
1860
(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1933), 526.

37. Newman,
The Life of Richard Wagne
r, 541.

38. Interview with Harlan, April 20, 2011.

39. Chion,
Eyes Wide Shut
, 33–34. Also pointed out in Gorbman, “Ears Wide Open,” 15.

40. Note 6, chapter 5 of Ian MacDonald,
The New Shostakovich,
new edition updated by Raymond Clarke (London: Pimlico, 2006), 401.

41. Laurel E. Fay,
Shostakovich: A Life
(New York: Oxford University Press, 2000), 113.

42. See Randolph Jordan, “The Mask That Conceals Nothing: On the Concepts of Marital Fidelity and the Lo-Fi Soundscape in
Eyes Wide Shut,
” in
Stanley Kubrick: Essays on His Films and Legacy
, ed. Gary D. Rhodes (Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2008), 157–169.

43. Chion,
Eyes Wide Shut
, 21.

44. Gorbman, “Ears Wide Open,” 8.

45. Mike Zwerin, “Kubrick’s Approval Sets Seal on Classical Crossover Success: Pooks Unique Musical Mix,”
New York Times
, 27 Ocober 1999,
http://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/27/style/27iht-pook.t.html
.

46. Jeff Bond, “Once in a Lifetime,”
Film Score Monthly
4, no. 8 (September/October 1999): 25.

47. “Jocelyn Pook on
Eyes Wide Shut
,” interview with Rudy Koppl,
Soundtrack: Cinemascore and Soundtrack Archives
,
http://www.runmovies.eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=311&Itemid=57.

48. Chion,
Eyes Wide Shut
, 33.

49. “Jocelyn Pook on
Eyes Wide Shut.
”

50. Gorbman, “Ears Wide Open,” 14.

51. Jordan, “The Mask That Conceals Nothing,” 166.

52. “Jocelyn Pook on
Eyes Wide Shut.
”

53. “Jocelyn Pook on
Eyes Wide Shut.
”

54. Gorbman, “Ears Wide Open,” 16.

55. Norman Kagan,
The Cinema of Stanley Kubrick,
3rd ed. (New York: Continuum, 2000), 243.

56. Ciment,
Kubrick: The Definitive Edition
, 261.

57. Paul Griffiths, “György Ligeti,” in
The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians
, ed. Stanley Sadie (London: Macmillan, 2001), 690.

58. Crilly, “The Bigger Picture,” 251.

59. Gorbman, “Ears Wide Open,” 12.

60. Chion,
Eyes Wide Shut
, 33.

61. Gorbman, “Ears Wide Open,” 11.

62. Count Franz Walsegg was the mysterious man in question. He kept his identity a secret because he likely wanted to pass the completed Requiem off as his own composition.

63. Ben Arnold, “Piano Music: 1861–1886,” in
The Liszt Companion
, ed. Ben Arnold (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2002), 140.

64. Alan Walker,
Franz Liszt: Volume Three, The Final Years 1861–1886
(New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1996), 403.

65. Leonard Ratner,
Romantic Music: Sound and Syntax
(New York: Schirmer, 1992), 267.

66. Schnitzler,
Night Games
, 269.

67. Chion,
Eyes Wide Shut
, 25.

68. Chion,
Eyes Wide Shut
, 17.

69. Ciment,
Kubrick: The Definitive Edition
, 258. “At a time when many contemporary artists are regularly praised in the media for repeating themselves, even Kubrick’s final work failed to generate anything like critical agreement. It is the surest sign that Stanley Kubrick is more
alive
than ever.” Emphasis original.

70. Interview with Philip Strick and Penelope Houston, 1972, in
Stanley Kubrick Interviews,
ed. Gene D. Phillips, 126–139 (Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2001).

Appendix A

Films and Their Source Material

The Killing: Clean Break
by Lionel White

Paths of Glory: Paths of Glory
by Humphrey Cobb

Lolita: Lolita
by Vladimir Nabokov

Dr. Strangelove: Red Alert
by Peter George

A Clockwork Orange: A Clockwork Orange
by Anthony Burgess

Barry Lyndon: The Luck of Barry Lyndon
by William Makepeace Thackeray

The Shining: The Shining
by Stephen King

Full Metal Jacket: The Short-Timers
by Gus Hasford

Eyes Wide Shut: Traumnovelle
by Arthur Schnitzler

Unmade Projects

Napoleon
project:
Napoleon
by Felix Markham

Aryan Papers
:
Wartime Lies
by Louis Begley

A.I.
:
Super-Toys Last All Summer Long
by Brian Aldiss

For a full rendering of all Kubrick’s unmade projects see appendix 12 in Patrick Webster’s
Love and Death in Kubrick: A Critical Study of the Films from Lolita through Eyes Wide Shut
(Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2011), 243–246.

Appendix B

Film Synopses

2001: A Space Odyssey

At the dawn of humankind
, a group of apelike creatures try to survive in the harsh African desert. Fearful of wild animals, they also compete with another group of hominids for control of a small watering hole. Driven away from the watering hole, one group spends the night among some rocks. When they wake up, they see a large black rectangular stone. They cautiously venture out and touch it. Soon after, one of these apelike creatures discovers that a bone can be used as a weapon. Killing a tapir and eating its flesh, the group grows strong. Back at the watering hole, one of the apelike creatures bludgeons a member of the other group with the bone weapon. As he throws the bone up in the air in triumph, we cut to an orbiting satellite, far in the future.

Dr. Heywood Floyd is traveling to the Clavius moon base, but first he has a brief layover on an orbiting space station. There, he makes a video phone call to his daughter and runs into some Russian scientists on their way back to Earth. When the scientists ask Dr. Floyd about rumors of an epidemic at the moon base, Dr. Floyd does not share any information. Once at Clavius, Floyd tells base personnel that he is there to investigate an artifact that appears to have been buried on the moon millions of years ago. Floyd takes a team down to the object, called Tycho Magnetic Anomaly One (TMA-1), and when there, a very loud radio signal is emitted from the object.

Eighteen months later, the spaceship
Discovery
is on its way to Jupiter. There are two astronauts awake on board, Dr. David Bowman and Dr. Frank Poole (three other astronauts are in hibernation). They are aided in their daily duties by HAL, a computer that speaks to them in a human voice. HAL predicts the malfunction of
Discovery
’s main antenna, but the astronauts examine the antenna and find no problem with it. Bowman and Poole ask mission control what to do, since HAL is supposed to be “incapable of error.” The astronauts on board discuss possibly deactivating HAL if he proves to be wrong. They hold their discussion in an EVA pod to keep HAL from hearing them, but he reads their lips.

While Poole is out of the ship to reattach the antenna, HAL disconnects Poole’s oxygen hose, killing him. Dave, unaware that HAL is responsible, uses one of the pods to attempt a rescue. While Dave is outside of
Discovery
, HAL terminates the life functions of the hibernating astronauts. Upon his return to the ship, Dave is refused entry by HAL. Although he has no helmet, Dave uses manual controls to get himself back onto the ship. He begins to disconnect HAL. The computer seems to experience something like fear as Dave disconnects his memory circuits. HAL’s disconnection triggers a pre-recorded message from Dr. Floyd. Floyd explains the discovery of the monolith on the moon and that its only communication was sending a radio signal to Jupiter. It is still unknown why.

Dave leaves
Discovery
in a pod, encountering a monolith in orbit around Jupiter. He enters into some kind of space tunnel, traveling at an impossibly fast speed, ending up in a Louis XVI–style bedroom where he watches himself age until he is reborn—a Starchild—watching over the Earth.

A Clockwork Orange

Alex, a teenager, and his three friends drink drugged milk at the Korova Milkbar while they decide what to do with the evening. Their activities will consist of what Alex likes to call “ultra-violence.” They attack an old homeless man, have a fight with a rival gang, steal a car, and arrive at a place called HOME. At HOME, the group vandalizes the property, destroying the writings of the man who lives there. Alex performs a rendition of “Singing in the Rain” while cutting off the clothes of the man’s wife before forcing the man to watch as they sexually assault her.

Returning to the milk bar where they began the evening, the group hears a woman singing the main theme from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. When one friend ridicules the woman, Alex punishes him for being uncivilized. The episode seems to cause some tension within the group, but nothing comes of it, and they all return to their homes. Alex ends his night by listening to classical music and imagining violent acts.

The next morning, Alex—who has stayed home from school—receives a visit from the truancy officer who cautions Alex to change his ways. Alex then goes to the record shop to pick up an album that he has ordered. While there, he meets two young women whom he takes home and seduces. As evening falls, Alex meets up with his friends, and one of them questions Alex’s authority. To reassert his place as the alpha male, Alex starts a physical fight with his friends. Afterward, Alex and his injured friends have a drink at a bar where Georgie suggests they rob the house of an old woman. Thinking he is a magnanimous leader, Alex agrees with the plan.

The robbery is merely a setup so Alex will be caught by police. Before the police arrive, however, Alex attacks the woman of the house with a sculpture; she dies from her injuries. Deserted by his friends and arrested, Alex arrives at the state jail. Working in the prison chapel, Alex indulges in violent fantasies based on biblical stories. He asks the prison chaplain about a rumored experimental treatment that would commute his sentence. The chaplain expresses dismay that the treatment takes away one’s free will.

The Minister of the Interior visits the prison, choosing Alex for the experimental treatment. At the Ludovico center, Alex is given injections and forced to watch violent films. The films begin to make him feel sick. In the next session, Alex notices the soundtrack for the films is Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony; he protests the use of music in this way. Alex completes the treatment.

Alex is subjected to humiliation to prove his docility. Satisfied, the minister releases him. He returns home to find his parents have taken in a boarder. With nowhere to go, Alex walks the streets. He runs into the homeless man his gang attacked earlier in the film, and the man attacks Alex and soon others join in. The thought of violence makes Alex sick, so he is unable to defend himself. When the police arrive, Alex believes he has been saved, only to find that the police officers are two of his former friends. They take him into the countryside, beat him, and leave him for dead.

Alex wanders to the closest house, which is HOME. Because Alex wore a mask during the earlier attack, his former victim doesn’t recognize him right away, but Alex unintentionally gives himself away. The man, F. Alexander—an outspoken critic of the government—decides to use Alex to further his cause. A woman comes to interview Alex, and he reveals that the Ninth Symphony has become unbearable to him. F. Alexander drugs Alex, waking him up to the sound of Beethoven. Sickened by the sound and unable to stop it, Alex attempts suicide.

While unconscious, Alex is de-conditioned. He has no memory of this except for vague dreams. A doctor tests his de-conditioning, finding that it has been successful. The Minister of the Interior visits Alex for a photo-op, presenting him with a stereo as a gesture of goodwill. When he hears it the Ninth Symphony, he lapses into fantasies, proclaiming himself cured.

Barry Lyndon

Young Irishman Redmond Barry is in love with his cousin, Nora. She plans to marry Captain John Quin, an English soldier. Challenging Quin to a duel, Redmond shoots his rival and is forced to go to Dublin. Given some money from his widowed mother, Redmond is robbed by highwayman Captain Feeney. He joins the English army, running into old friend Captain Grogan, who informs Redmond that he didn’t actually kill John Quin. Redmond’s pistol was filled with tow by Nora’s family so that Redmond would leave and Nora would be free to marry Quin.

Redmond’s regiment fights a small battle in the Seven Years’ War, but Grogan is fatally wounded. Redmond is soured on the service and escapes the army by stealing the horse, uniform, and papers of an officer. Making his way to Holland, he stays for a time with a German girl, but then moves on. He runs into Captain Potzdorf of the Prussian army. Potzdorf knows Redmond is an impostor, and he gives Redmond a choice: go back to the British army (where he will likely be executed for desertion) or join the Prussian army. Redmond chooses the latter and serves under Potzdorf, saving his commander’s life, earning both the man’s trust and a commendation.

After the war, Potzdorf asks Redmond to work in conjunction with the Prussian police. Redmond is to work for (and spy on) the Chevalier de Balibari, who turns out to be Redmond’s fellow countryman. Redmond reveals the ruse to Balibari, and the two decide to work together. Redmond pretends to spy for Potzdorf, but instead Redmond and Balibari hatch a plan to enable them to leave Prussia. After their departure, the two men run gambling games in the homes of the wealthy across Europe. Redmond duels with gamblers who owe money. At a spa in Belgium, Redmond meets Lady Lyndon, a beautiful, rich woman who is married to Sir Charles Lyndon. After Sir Charles’ death, Redmond marries Lady Lyndon (taking the title Barry Lyndon) much to the chagrin of her son, Lord Bullingdon.

Lady Lyndon gives birth to Barry’s son, Bryan. Barry, however, spends little time at home, preferring to be out with other women, gambling and spending Lady Lyndon’s fortune. Barry’s mother, who comes to live with them in England, encourages Barry to get a title in case anything should happen to Lady Lyndon. Barry spends a lot of money entertaining influential people in order to achieve this. Lord Bullingdon ruins Barry’s plan when he interrupts a party and explains to all the important guests how little respect he has for his stepfather. Barry retaliates physically, and the guests are horrified. Bullingdon leaves home.

Barry’s son Bryan, meanwhile, is treated very well. Barry buys him a horse for his ninth birthday. Disregarding his parents’ warnings, Bryan sneaks out to ride alone. Thrown from the horse, Bryan is paralyzed. He dies a few days later. After Bryan’s death, Barry drinks and Lady Lyndon turns to religion. Lady Lyndon unsuccessfully attempts suicide, and Graham, the Lyndons’ accountant, finds Bullingdon. When Lord Bullingdon returns, he demands satisfaction from Barry in the form of a duel. Bullingdon gets to shoot first, but his pistol malfunctions. Barry fires his own shot into the ground, hoping that Bullingdon will be satisfied. Bullingdon, however, takes a shot at Barry, hitting him in the leg. Part of Barry’s leg is amputated to save his life.

Lord Bullingdon, who is now in control of his mother’s estate, offers Barry a deal: Barry will leave England forever and end his marriage to Lady Lyndon in exchange for an annuity. If he stays in England, creditors will place him in debtors’ prison. Barry accepts the deal, leaving with his mother to return to Ireland. He never sees Lady Lyndon again.

The Shining

Jack Torrance arrives at the Overlook Hotel in Colorado to interview for the job of winter caretaker. Warned that the previous caretaker (Grady) murdered his family and committed suicide, Jack nevertheless takes the job. He will live at the hotel during the winter months with his wife Wendy and son Danny. Danny begins to have disturbing visions about the hotel. Wendy’s conversation with his pediatrician reveals that Jack has previously had trouble with alcohol and that Danny’s “imaginary” friend Tony has been visiting since Danny started at nursery school.

At the Overlook, Danny and Wendy meet Dick Hallorann, who communicates telepathically with Danny with what he calls “the shining.” He warns Danny to stay out of room 237. A month later, Jack tells Wendy he is happy at the Overlook, but he grows more agitated as time passes. Danny’s visions get worse, and he begins to believe that Jack is going to hurt him and Wendy. Jack has a disturbing nightmare, and Danny appears with bruises on his neck. Believing that Jack is responsible, Wendy takes Danny back to the family’s apartment.

Jack, who is angry at Wendy for suspecting him, goes to the Gold Room where he mysteriously finds a bartender who appears to know him and who offers him alcohol. Wendy arrives in the Gold Room to inform Jack that there might be someone else in the hotel in room 237. Going to the room to investigate, Jack finds a beautiful naked woman who becomes an old woman who appears to be decomposing.

Hallorann senses that something has gone wrong at the Overlook and travels from his summer job in Miami back to the Overlook. Danny goes into a trance, and Jack returns to the Gold Room to find a party in full swing. There he meets Grady, the previous caretaker, who informs him that Danny has used the shining to call Hallorann for help.

Wendy decides she must get Danny down to the nearest town, but Jack—whose insanity seems to be confirmed by his manuscript consisting of nothing but the line “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”—wants to prevent her from leaving. Menaced by Jack, she hits him with a baseball bat, and he falls down the stairs. Locking him in the pantry, she runs out to the Sno-cat but finds that it has been disabled.

Jack, who has left the pantry with the help of Grady, threatens Wendy and Danny with an ax. Danny is able to escape out a window, but Wendy cannot. Jack is distracted from his attack by the sound of Hallorann arriving in a Sno-cat. Jack kills Hallorann with an ax, Danny runs into the hotel’s hedge maze, and Wendy begins to see very disturbing things as she runs through the hotel. Danny retraces his steps and leaves Jack lost in the maze. He follows his own footsteps out and is reunited with Wendy. The two of them take Hallorann’s Sno-cat to safety, and Jack freezes to death in the maze. He appears in a photograph hanging on the wall of the Overlook, one that depicts a Fourth of July party from 1921.

Eyes Wide Shut

Married couple Bill and Alice Harford attend a Christmas party at the home of Victor Ziegler, a wealthy friend and patient of Bill. At the party, Bill meets up with old friend Nick Nightingale, who plays piano in the band. Bill makes plans to see Nick perform at the Sonata Café. While Bill and Alice are apart, they flirt with other people, Alice with the older Sander Szavost and Bill with two young women, Gayle and Nuala. Bill is called away by Ziegler’s associate to help with a young naked woman who has overdosed in Ziegler’s bathroom. While Bill tries to revive Mandy, Alice and Sandor continue dancing. Mandy eventually wakes up, and Sandor tries to make plans to see Alice again. Later, back at the Harfords’ apartment, Bill and Alice begin kissing in front of their bedroom mirror.