During the winter months of 1983 and 1984, I spent time in London helping Stanley get computerized. In the evenings over Indian food in St. Albans, we would talk about his films. “The Shining” had been released a few years before and, “Full Metal Jacket” was in the planning stages.
On most mornings, my phone would ring at 7:30 AM in San Anselmo and it would be Stanley with those famous words, “Hello Alan. This is Stanley. Do you have a few moments?” For Stanley, I always did even though the call may last for two hours.
Stanley had endless questions about computer technology and how to use word processing and database manipulation to write movie scripts. We worked together on his early IBM XT.
Stanley had an early IBM XT and line printer. Remember this was January 1984.
Stanley loved his cats – even Priscilla lounging on my jacket.
Dear Mr. Bowker,
Compliments for your site!
Being a fan of Stanley Kubrick and the Shining in particular, I came across your site by accident.
Stanley’s photo behind an IBM XT brought back memories when the same IBMs arrived at our company around the same time.
The clip of Stanley and Jan Harlan is fantastic to watch. Stanley would later use video cameras to directly view the takes in the shining.
Greeting,
Deltabuilder
Just remember these images are from 36 years ago. Personal computer technology was just getting sophisticated enough for first time users to get some use; even though they were very basic word processors. Stanley was very inquisitive. He also wanted to build a free form database of ideas. He did know enough about how big an undertaking such a project would be. We spent hours on the phone going through flow designs with word associations. It was a great time for me. Take care, All the best. Alan Bowker