The iconic axe prop used by Jack Nicholson in The Shining is set for auction. The Shining is based on a novel by prolific horror writer Stephen King, adapted to the screen by the legendary Stanley Kubrick, who had already helmed Dr. Strangelove and 2001: A Space Odyssey. While the film is considered a classic in the genre and one of Kubrick's greatest movies, King was never a fan of the adaptation, disagreeing with the director's take on the material.
The Shining follows the Torrance family, headed by patriarch Jack, played by Jack Nicholson. After accepting a job as the winter caretaker of the Overlook Hotel, Jack takes his wife, Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), to the secluded mountain resort where a sinister force begins to plague him while Danny's psychic "shining" ability allows him to see the true horrors of the hotel. The film boasts many iconic scenes that are instantly recognizable to audiences, like blood flowing from the elevators, the wintery hedge maze, the creepy twins, and even Jack chopping through a door with the axe.
Now, fans of The Shining have a chance to bring home the axe used by Jack Nicholson in the film, thanks to an auction from Gotta Have Rock and Roll. According to the auction description, the axe comes with a certificate of authenticity and a letter from NORANK Engineering as proof of its use in the movie. In addition, the axe features a scuffed blade and handle, and it's displayed in a shadow box frame with images from the movie, including the film's title, Jack in the hedge maze, and the iconic final party photo from the ending. The minimum bid is currently set at $50,000, though it is valued between $60,000 to $90,000, and the auction currently has 11 days remaining. Check out the axe from The Shining below:
While $50k seems pricey for an axe, movie memorabilia often sells for far more. For Example, the dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's sold for over $900,000, and Dorothy's ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz sold for $2 million. So, in comparison, the axe from The Shining actually comes in on the cheaper end, especially for a classic film.
The Shining's axe became an iconic prop as it stems from one of the film's most famous scenes, accompanied by one of the movie's most quoted lines. As Wendy hides behind a door, clutching a knife, Jack begins to break through it with the axe. After creating a hole in the door, Jack sticks his menacing face into it, uttering the classic line, "Here's Johnny!" Thanks to the auction, one lucky fan with deep pockets can bring home the classic axe prop from The Shining, owning a piece of movie history.
Source: Gotta Have Rock and Roll