Rest In Peace H.A.L. aka Douglas Rain

[drpaladin]

Other than ardent Stanley Kubrick fans and aficionados of sci-fi, few would be likely to recognize the name of Douglas Rain. However, many would recognize the Shakespearean trained actor's voice. He was the voice of HAL, the ship's computer in Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey." Calm and menacing is the best way to describe the voice Rain gave HAL Rain passed away Sunday at age 90.

 

https://www.npr.org/2018/11/12/666883376/r-i-p-hal-douglas-rain-voice-of-computer-in-2001-dies-at-90

[Ron]

Mr. Rain sure did live a long life. I hope it was a good one. I've purchased the new 4K Ultra High Definition release of 2001: A Space Odyssey and I can't wait to see it. Unfortunately, I do have to wait because the darn amp in my last usable subwoofer went out just a couple of days before the movie arrived. I'm waiting for new amps to arrive courtesy of Definitive Technology and I'll install them and reset my system up and enjoy the movie once again (I have watched this movie many times over the years). Mr. Rain's dry delivery of Hal 9000's voice is perfection.

 

 

As an aside folks, if you're ever interested in a bang-for-the-buck subwoofer, and excellent customer service to boot. I can highly recommend Definitive Technology. I purchased my subs back in 2008 (three year warranty, at the time) and Def-Tech will have replaced the amps twice at no charge -- Ten Years -- and out of warranty both times. I'm not saying everyone will have such a great experience but... come on, who does this anymore?! So, worth a mention, I think.

[drpaladin]

I  notice in his credits he also was the voice of the evil computer in 1973's "Sleeper."

 

To give a face to the name, here is a photo from 1968 around the time "2001" was filmed.

 

[Headstall]

Oh... that voice... it never leaves once you hear it... "Just what do you think you're doing, Dave..."   Very sad... the icons of our youth keep disappearing....

[Daddydavek]

I saw 2001 at the theatre which was an extremely wide screen curved at each side.  It was called Cinerama.  It was during the first week of its initial release. The sound system was high tech for the time and the overall effect was absolutely stunning.  

[drpaladin]

1 hour ago, Daddydavek said:

I saw 2001 at the theatre which was an extremely wide screen curved at each side.  It was called Cinerama.  It was during the first week of its initial release. The sound system was high tech for the time and the overall effect was absolutely stunning.  

 

Kubrick was  a master filmmaker and the special effects were state of the art for its time. It's widely acknowledged as his finest work.