Loose Ends And Homages
Taking all the above into account, I can now see why King's Overlook 'party' took place in "August 29, 1945", whilst Kubrick's; July 4th, 1921. Because Kubrick intended his film to be an external yet closely related psychological experience to the book. In spite of their differences, and contrary to rumours of infighting, I would argue that Kubrick saw in King's novel a paradoxical beauty. He saw a way to explain Jack's destiny beyond death, a way to unconventionally end his horror on a high note. And, in an oft overlooked (pun intended) respect to King's work, Kubrick is telling us that more is most definitely to be seen within the walls of his film; you just have to read the book first. That is why there is a red VW crashed on a snowy mountain pass. Not to upset the troubled author Stephen King, but rather to say; "Hey, I read the book. My version is similar but not the same. Beware of surprises. And you won't notice this or get my film, until you have read the book too."
Other Answers
As a side note; ever wondered how the old lady bruised Danny's neck? Or who actually opened the pantry door? Well if you'd read King's book before watching the film, you'd know the answer;
"Maybe at first the things he had seen really were like scary pictures that couldn't hurt him. But now the hotel was controlling those things and they could hurt."
There you have it. ALL ghosts in the Overlook have an ability to be physical entities. So it WAS Grady who opened the door all along. Put THAT in your pipe and smoke it theorists.
