Horace M. Derwent was a successful accountant, inventor and entrepreneur who owned the Overlook Hotel from 1946 through 1952, when he sold it to a group of California investors. He allegedly acquired controlling interest in the hotel some years later, via behind-the-scenes back channeling, allowing him to conduct unsavory business there well into the 1960's without affecting his public profile. Derwent is a multimillionaire playboy with connections to organized crime, particularly in the gaming industry in Las Vegas, Nevada.
His history is the stuff of legend within legend: for example, he was said to own Las Vegas, Los Angeles and United Airlines, and is credited with inventing the strapless bra.
Biography[]
The Shining (book)[]
Background[]
After Roger is found dead the next day after the party, his body is found and taken to a postmortem and then later to a coroner. The coroner asks for a private invitation for Derwent which is able to happen. They question how Roger actually died and the stability of the hotel.
Main Events[]
He owns the Overlook in 1945 when the masked ball goes down, and is responsible for the hotel's renovation, including the roque court. We aren't sure if Derwent is alive or not, but he's active and visible at the masquerade ball. He's definitely a bad guy, at least in Jack's mind, and might even be the real manager of the Overlook, the devil himself.
The Shining (film)[]
Background[]
Main Events[]
After Wendy spots the body of Dick, Derwent pops up and quotes the line "Great Party isn't it?" as she is running away.
The Shining (miniseries)[]
Doctor Sleep (book)[]
In November 1983, years after the Overlook Hotel was destroyed, the ghost of Horace Derwent appears to Danny Torrance once again at his school, in an attempt to claim him. Danny doesn’t get to capture him. However, shortly after New Years, Danny is able to lock Derwent up in his mind thanks to a imaginary lockbox that Dick Hallorann gave him a time they went to take a walk after Lorraine Massey appeared in the home's bathroom.
The ghost of Derwent is released by Danny in the final assault against the True Knot, and Derwent murders Silent Sarey, kissing and strangling her at the same time when she hid, on a plan to help Rose the Hat if any problem surged when trying to kill Abra Stone.
Doctor Sleep (film)[]
Years after the Overlook Hotel was destroyed, the ghost of Horace Derwent appeared to Danny Torrance once again, in an attempt to claim him. However, Danny was able to lock Derwent up in his mind for decades. He would be the last Overlook ghost to try to get him.
Danny has in the ensuring years discovered more about the Hotel's past and mentions Derwent. He reveals the fact the Ghost had a head injury, and haunted his family in a Tuxedo. Derwent is part of the pack of Ghosts that consume Rose The Hat.
Appearances[]
- The Shining (book)
- The Shining (film)
- The Shining (miniseries)
- Doctor Sleep (book)
- Doctor Sleep (film)
Trivia[]
- In the film, it was believed that the gentleman being fellated by the man in the bear costume was Derwent, up until the sequel was released.
| Characters | |
| Main | Jack Torrance • Wendy Torrance • Danny Torrance • Stuart Ullman • Dick Hallorann |
| Minor | Albert Shockley • Bill Watson • Delbert Grady • Doctor • Grady Twins • Horace M. Derwent • Jack's Mother • Lorraine Massey • Mark Torrance • Robert Townley Watson • Roger • Suzie • Tony • List of characters in The Shining (book) |
| Doctor Sleep | Abra Stone • Concetta Reynolds • Lucy Stone • Sandy Reynolds |
| Other | Andrew Pomeroy (Misery) |
| Category:Characters | |