‘Jaws' did what no movie could do today — it made the entire world terrified to swim
Shark! Shark!
'Jaws,' which hit theaters 50 years ago next Friday, is known for making many splashes.
It was the first hit for a 27-year-old Steven Spielberg, the man who'd go on to become one of Hollywood's all-time greatest directors.
Advertisement
And the innovative 1975 horror film is considered one of the earliest blockbusters. An estimated one third of Americans went to see it. Those are Super Bowl numbers.
5 'Jaws' caused an entire generation to develop an irrational fear of sharks.
Courtesy Everett Collection
There's composer John Williams' 'duh-dun' score that everyone can hum, and the classic ad-libbed line 'We're gonna need a bigger boat' that everyone can recite.
Advertisement
But my favorite feat of 'Jaws' is that the monster movie had such a powerful bite when it was released that it made the masses terrified to so much as dip a toe in salty water for months. Years!
No major films come anywhere close to that kind of impact today.
Sure, 'Barbie' got groups of friends to get dolled up in pink frocks, and 'Minecraft' pushed a few idiots to trash theaters for kicks on TikTok. But 'Jaws' actually changed how people lived their lives.
During the summer of 1975, The Post wrote a lot of stories about the 'shark scare' along the southern coast of Long Island, from East Quogue to Fire Island, that was 'touched off by the movie version of Peter Benchley's 'Jaws'.'
Advertisement
'Jaws' was set in the fictional Long Island town of Amity. Suddenly, the real place was Sharksville, USA.
5 Beaches from Long Island to North Carolina and more reported visitors being hesitant to go in the water.
Courtesy Everett Collection
This one's a real doozy. In August of that year, we reported that two police officers on a boat off Jones Beach encountered a 10-to-14-foot-long shark and started to open fire into the ocean — 15 rounds! — killing the fish.
Imagine watching that unfold from your folding chair.
Advertisement
'Everybody clapped. But when we left they were still standing on the shoreline,' one cop said of the Jaws-struck crowd.
'You know,' the wannabe Roy Scheider added, 'if it weren't for the movie, this wouldn't be such a big deal.'
5 One third of Americans are said to have seen 'Jaws' in 1975.
Courtesy Everett Collection
But, boy, was it. Scientists believe 'Jaws' caused an entire generation to develop an irrational fear of sharks. They dubbed it 'the Jaws Effect.'
And the fin-phobia extended far away from New York state. That same month in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, a tourism chief bemoaned, 'We feel this movie is adversely affecting our coastal economy.'
Films can still hurt local economies today, of course. 'Snow White' did because nobody went to see it.
The reverberations of 1970s smashes such as 'Jaws,' 'The Exorcist' and 'Star Wars' were enormous beyond what we can imagine now.
5 'The Exorcist' had a major affect on the 'satanic panic' of the 1980s.
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
Advertisement
Take the ingenious demonic possession picture.
One shaken man who saw 'The Exorcist' in 1973 broke three ribs during a screening. He's not sure how it happened. Ticket-buyers were vomiting at their seats. A theater in Boston kept 'a stockpile of smelling salts' to wake up patrons who fainted.
William Friedkin's landmark film went on to become a huge factor in the 'satanic panic' of the 1980s, which saw thousands of unsubstantiated claims of satanic ritual abuse ripple across America.
Back then, blockbusters also rocked the Oval Office.
Advertisement
5 Even 'Star Wars' made its way to the White House.
When President Reagan announced his 1983 Strategic Defense Initiative, a plan to use futuristic technology to prevent a nuclear attack, the press jokingly nicknamed it 'Star Wars.' The moniker stuck.
I'm pretty sure we won't be reading about 'the Lilo & Stitch law' anytime soon.
Obviously, the world is different. 'Monoculture,' entertainment that's experienced by everybody, no longer exists. We're inundated by niche fare and Saltine retreads. Maybe a movie just can't pack the social punch that one could 50 years ago.
Advertisement
Then again, no one expected 'Jaws' to explode the way it did. Implode, more likely. Production went 100 days over schedule and nearly $6 million over budget. Some thought its director would never work again.
But the next time you sprint out of the water screaming because that fin you saw turned out to be a cute little dolphin, blame Spielberg.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Gone too soon': HGTV host known for ‘endless kindness' dies at 55
Loren Ruch, co-host of the 2021 HGTV series 'HGTV House Party' and had of content for the network, has died. He was 55. Ruch died Thursday, June 12 of acute myeloid leukemia, Variety reported, which is cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects myeloid cells, according to the Mayo Clinic. Channing Dungey, chair of Warner Bros. Television Group, called Ruch 'the rare leader who lifted everyone around him' in a statement obtained by the outlet. 'Known for his unwavering dedication, endless kindness, and unshakeable integrity, Loren built not only hit shows but enduring relationships, serving as mentor, advocate and true friend to countless colleagues across the television landscape,' Dungey wrote. 'His impact stretched far beyond the screen. Loren was the connective tissue of every room he entered — the glue that bound teams, departments, and friendships. He possessed the rare gift of making people feel seen, valued, and inspired to do their best work.' Ruch had been a top programming executive at HGTV since 2008, according to Variety. He served as an executive producer on several series including 'HGTV Dream Home,' 'HGTV Green Home,' 'Rose Parade' and 'White House Christmas.' Ruch is also credited with helping to mold such shows as 'My Lottery Dream Home,' 'Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge,' 'Celebrity IOU,' 'Battle on the Beach' and the Emmy-nominated 'A Very Brady Renovation.' Viewers looking to remember Ruch can stream any of the shows on HGTV by using Philo, DirecTV Stream and Sling. Both Philo and DirecTV offer free trials for new users. 'For those of us lucky enough to have known and loved Loren, the things we remember, and cherish go far beyond his professional accomplishments,' Dungey wrote in the statement, per Variety. 'We warmly recall the way he supported his team and his colleagues, celebrating their victories and lending a sympathetic ear when things were difficult. Loren's light touched everyone lucky enough to know him,' she wrote. 'Though gone too soon, he leaves behind a lasting imprint on both the television industry and the lives of those who loved him.' Ruch was named head of content for the lifestyle cabler in January 2023. He is Ruch is survived by his husband, David Salas, his parents and his brother, Variety reported. Rock singer calls brother's claims he sexually abused him 'wildly misleading' Actor 'addicted' to Karen Read trial says he invited her to Mass. concert Famous drama actor battling ALS says he has lost use of his arm 'Bachelor' winner from Mass. splits from fiancé nearly 3 months after finale Emmy-nominated actor from 'Scarface,' 'Ghostbusters II' dies at 87 Read the original article on MassLive.
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
NY Giants Legend Adds New Chapter to Tom Brady Rivalry
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. During the late 2000s and early 2010s, Eli Manning managed to lead the New York Giants to the NFL mountaintop on numerous occasions. Long removed from his playing days, the franchise icon added a new chapter to his ongoing story with a longtime rival. When it comes to the top quarterbacks in NFL history, Tom Brady is at the top of the list. He racked up an all-time resumé during his playing career and is widely regarded as one of the best players in league history. Few QBs can say they've gotten the better of him on multiple occasions, but Manning is one of them. Brady appeared in the Super Bowl 10 times during his career, walking away victorious on seven occasions. Of his three losses, two of which came at the hands of Manning and the Giants. FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 29: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots greets Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants after a preseason game at Gillette Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Foxborough,... FOXBOROUGH, MA - AUGUST 29: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots greets Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants after a preseason game at Gillette Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. MoreAlso read: Ex-Giants QB Projected To Land Major Honor in 2025 Season This weekend, sports apparel company Fanatics is holding its "Fanatics Fest" in New York City. Countless big names have popped up, including Brady. The longtime New England Patriots QB came out to a pro-wrestling-style entrance, igniting the crowd with his antics. While making his way down the ramp, patrons began tossing Brady an assortment of NFL jerseys. Among those given to him was Manning's Giants jersey. Brady quickly sent the crowd into a frenzy when he ripped it in half. The pandemonium did not end there, as Manning ended up storming out for revenge. He snuck up on Brady and jumped on his back at the bottom of the ramp. The two then made their way back behind the curtain together while enjoying a good laugh. Also read: NY Giants Quarterback Sees Drastic Rise in NFL Re-Draft Brady and Manning first did battle on the game's biggest stage in 2007. The matchup ended up going down to the wire, with the Giants narrowly escaping with a 17-14 victory. They'd go on to do battle again four years later in another highly competitive Super Bowl clash. Manning would once again best Brady, leading New York to a 21-17 win. In retirement, both Manning and Brady have hung around the game as TV analysts. The former is most known for his "Manning Cast" alongside his brother and Indianapolis Colts legend Peyton. As for Brady, he inked a massive deal with Fox Sports shortly after hanging his cleats up for good. For more New York Giants and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
New York Post
4 hours ago
- New York Post
New Yorker dresses as ‘washed up scum' Andrew Cuomo in Mermaid Parade
A man dressed as a bizzare depiction of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo showed up to march in the Coney Island Mermaid Parade Saturday — with a special plea for his fellow New Yorkers. 'I'm trying to get reelected on Tuesday and I thought I'd bring my message to the voters,' the man who only called himself 'washed up scum,' sarcastically told The Post. 3 The man dressed as Andrew Cuomo in the Mermaid Parade insisted people call him 'washed up scum.' Samantha Olander The costume was complete with messy green strings to represent algae the former Governor would have encountered as he washed up on the shore, a torn-up dress shirt — and Cuomo's oversized head. On his backside, the man had a sign that read 'don't rank me,' a reference to the Big Apple's ranked choice voting, where electors place up to five mayoral candidates in order of preference. 3 Voters in NYC can rank up to five candidates in order of preference for the mayoral election. Samantha Olander 'I made the state fill up with as much scum as I could when I was governor and I'd like to do that to the city,' the mystery man said, adding it was his first mermaid parade. Cuomo is the frontrunner heading into Tuesday's Democratic mayoral primary, though surging socialist Zohran Mamdani has been making up ground — cutting the ex-lawmaker's lead in half from just a month ago. The Ex-Governor is ahead 55% to 45% against Mamdani in the latest poll released Wednesday. The heated NYC Democratic mayoral primary has lit a fire under Big Apple voters — twice the number of New Yorkers are turning out for early voting compared to four years ago, data from the city Board of Elections shows. 3 Cuomo resigned as New York Governor in disgrace in 2021. Stephen Yang
