JAWS turns 50 June 20, 2025!

[LuvOrlando]

I have never understood why Jaws became so popular when it first came out in the 70's. But my mom and I saw part of Jaws on Tubi and we thought it was unappealing but I think it started the fad of shark movies and I think Jaws became such a hit movie because of it's adventure and action. How Jaws 2 got made as a sequel i'll never ever understand because Jaws should've only been made and Jaws was never meant to have a sequel

Hi @DodgerGirl, do you live near the ocean at all? For me it was gripping because when I lived near the ocean and when I was a kid we didn't have a lot of money so ALL the family downtime was at a beach all summer, the thought of something lurking unseen was chilling.

I totally agree, Jaws 2 is horrendous

love the movie.

the book was hugely popular when I was a teen- I remember some friends were disappointed that they did'nt include the whole large subplot about hooper and the sherriff's wife having an affair (pretty racy reading for a teen to get at the library in the early 70's ) but they liked the changes to hooper's character that made him more likeable.

What? I had absolutely no idea there was hanky panky, never read the book, but it was the 70s and so much was focused on infidelity back then. Soooo much in the music was either about cheating, getting cheated on, wondering if you were being cheated on, wondering where people were and who they were with, it's all anyone seemed to think about

 

[Castlequeen5]

Love Jaws! I primarily watch it now just to see my Uncle who passed away many years ago. He and both my cousins are in Jaws so it’s always good to see him on my tv every once and a while

Wow! That’s pretty cool. Were they extras or did they have a role?

I Jaws! I grew up watching it and watch it every summer! It sounds like I’m opposite of most of you guys, because I like Jaws 2 almost as much. I like that most of the original characters are back and it’s still set in Amity. We went to Martha’s Vineyard a few summers ago, and I had to go see all the filming locations while we were there!

 

[RedAngie]

love the movie.

the book was hugely popular when I was a teen- I remember some friends were disappointed that they did'nt include the whole large subplot about hooper and the sherriff's wife having an affair (pretty racy reading for a teen to get at the library in the early 70's ) but they liked the changes to hooper's character that made him more likeable.

Including the adultery and class subplot of the book may very well have hurt the intensity of the film.

I saw it later in summer 1975 but heard about when it first opened. It didn’t deter me from going into the ocean during my family vacation in Wildwood, NJ.

 

[GAN]

Wow! That’s pretty cool. Were they extras or did they have a role?

I Jaws! I grew up watching it and watch it every summer! It sounds like I’m opposite of most of you guys, because I like Jaws 2 almost as much. I like that most of the original characters are back and it’s still set in Amity. We went to Martha’s Vineyard a few summers ago, and I had to go see all the filming locations while we were there!

They were extras, my uncle was the harbormaster in Edgartown so he also operated the Chappaquiddick Ferry -he's in an early scene with the Mayor and Chief heading over there. My cousins were in the scene where the Boy Scouts were making their swim. Even though they had small roles, they each benefitted from the success of the film by being paid royalties until the copyright expired. Say hello to my Uncle Dick when you see him ...

 

[Castlequeen5]

They were extras, my uncle was the harbormaster in Edgartown so he also operated the Chappaquiddick Ferry -he's in an early scene with the Mayor and Chief heading over there. My cousins were in the scene where the Boy Scouts were making their swim. Even though they had small roles, they each benefitted from the success of the film by being paid royalties until the copyright expired. Say hello to my Uncle Dick when you see him ...

I know that scene well!!! That was one of our stops!

 

[citruscurtis]

Hi Soooo much in the music was either about cheating, getting cheated on, wondering if you were being cheated on, wondering where people were and who they were with, it's all anyone seemed to think about

I was helping my Dad and the contractor build a garage for a private party.. just finished freshman University year.. those 2 men tortured me with Western music all day long but the one song I remember was Delta Dawn..just Wikipedia it..oh my now there should be a movie about the history of that song

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

You're going to need a bigger thread.

Including the adultery and class subplot of the book may very well have hurt the intensity of the film.

I saw it later in summer 1975 but heard about when it first opened. It didn’t deter me from going into the ocean during my family vacation in Wildwood, NJ.

The book had me rooting for the shark because the characters were so unlikeable. I think they made the right decision to omit that part. The mayor's mob ties were also out. Keeping the beaches open for the tourists was a plausible enough plot. The book reads like one of those made for TV movies that are more soap opera than story.

 

[citruscurtis]

You're going to need a bigger thread.

Congratulations you have been awarded post of the day

Sorry no cash prizes

 

[mylilnikita]

In the subject of sequels:
Jaws 3 in 3 d . It came out when Jess a teenage and I recall gong to the mall with my fitness to see it in the theater. Oh the memories of the 3 d action lol.

 

[citruscurtis]

Devil's teeth is a fantastic true science book... That live around an island west of San Francisco

 

[Babs Johnson]

A friend and I went opening weekend back in 1975. There was no reserving seats in advance back then. There was a long line at the box office and we were maybe 4 or 5 people away from it when they announced the 7pm showing was sold out.

At first they said tickets for the 930p showing would be sold starting at 830pm, but then changed their minds and started selling them immediately. So we bought them and hung around in the parking lot and went to a nearby McDonald’s to waste time.

 

[Minnie1222]

For anyone who wants to celebrate Jaws,



Free screening of Jaws at the Martha's Vineyard Performing Arts Center from 4:30 to 6:00, followed by a party at the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown, Massachusetts.

 

[mrs. magoo]

Our family absolutely adores this movie and the second. It is required watching every summer along with Meatballs and One Crazy Summer (none of my children's friends have ever heard of either of these). The book is an interesting read but in this case I do believe that the movie is better than the movie.

 

[WDWEPCOT]

Loved the book
Always watch the movie every time I catch it on TV absolutely love the movie it’s a great movie
Ride the ride countless times have fond memories of my two-year-old DD scared to death at the shark was going to eat us !! She thought it was so real !! And then when I convinced her it wasn’t she absolutely loved the ride