‘The Shining’ Character Close Up: Dick Hallorann

Written by Scott Edwards

When you come up to The Stanley Hotel, it is difficult to not catch yourself watching The Shining once, twice, or a dozen times. Where did Stephen King come up with these ideas is what you may be asking yourself. I have been coming to my conclusions outside of his interviews, for what other reason? I love staying at the Stanley Hotel and would like to find the reasons on my own.

Richard Hallorann, or Dick, as he prefers, is my third favorite character out of The Shining franchise. He has a good feeling for his gift and is willing to share it with others. Dick is not comfortable in the Overlook Hotel and there is good reason as to why, it has found his weakness. Although Dick does not work inside the hotel, he is in charge of the kitchen and is trying his best to make sure that the hotel does not go under for its food service.  

Dick is one of the people that takes pride in his work and will not let it slide for any reason. Dick goes about his day to day process and makes sure that no one is given any lack of quality. With the hotel looming over him, Dick knows that he cannot hurt it, nor it can hurt him as he is far from where the action happened in the past. Learning that there is another individual that has the power of the Shine makes him happy, but once he feels the power that the young Torrance brings with him, he has a reason for concern.

Dick wants everyone that stays in the hotel to be safe…even if he is reluctant to say what is happening behind the scenes. Dick knows that the hotel is not for everyone and if he is able to detect that if a person has the special gift of the Shine, he will try to keep them from staying there. Even though young Danny Torrance does not have a choice, Dick tries to give him pointers to staying safe and sane while in the energy filled hotel. Dick knows that Danny is young but has a feeling that he has the power to fight off the fear that will find him over the winter.

Testing Danny’s power, Dick finds that the boy is much more powerful than he expected. Danny is able to shatter taillights on cars with his gift and Dick has never seen this before. Talking with his grandmother years ago without saying a word, Dick understands that there are other people out there with the gift but has yet to find someone that brings so much to the table. With the gift of Shine however, Dick understands that there is a curse behind it, especially when it comes to the Overlook Hotel.

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​Young Danny has been warned and hopefully he will be able to control his gift while staying in the hotel, but Dick knows that there is trouble around the corner. Dick tells young Danny to call him whenever he feels that he cannot battle off the hotel’s evil. Danny does not understand this at first but has to give credence to the old man that has only been kind to him since his arrival. Danny is able to contact Dick when he feels overwhelmed by the hotel, but it comes much too late.

Dick is on the other side of the country while enjoying his winter off in Florida, while young Danny is stuck in Colorado. Dick tries his best to keep the boy safe and knows what can happen to others that stay in the hotel, but being so far away, he has to fall back to his generic response, nothing in the hotel can hurt you, when he knows otherwise.  

Although Dick Hallorann is not a key feature to the story, he should be. Dick knows the ins and outs of living with his gift and in the novel was able to show Danny Torrance how to control it, if even just a little bit. Dick is only worried about the safety of the Torrance family, since he understands what the Overlook can bring to the table. With his primary focus being placed on Danny, who has the gift, Dick tries to make sure that his parents understand what can happen in the hotel as well. But like most adults, they do not believe the warning that has been put in front of them. Dick Hallorann is by far my favorite character of the story that does not receive enough screen or writing time. He knows and understands what is coming at all the key moments of the story, and even if he is not on the premises, he is still able to try to help, although it be from a large distance.  

Once again, I hope that everyone that loves the story of The Shining is able to watch and read the different stories, and able to come up and visit The Stanley Hotel. It is my favorite place in the country, and I have visited 45 of the 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. With a fantastic venue and with enough time to be on your own without nobody bugging you, this is a great place to visit when you need to reflect. As always, Stay Scared!

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