This month marks a significant milestone in cinematic history as Steven Spielberg’s iconic thriller, Jaws, celebrates its 50th anniversary.
The film originally premiered in theaters on June 20, 1975, and has since been etched into the annals of Hollywood as a groundbreaking achievement.
Not only is Jaws remembered for its lifelike mechanical shark and haunting theme music, but it also stands as Spielberg’s first true blockbuster, setting a high bar for future films.
The film’s impact on audiences was immediate, garnering three Academy Awards for best film editing, best original score, and best sound, along with a nomination for best picture.
Curious Texas reader Lee Veazey inquired about the media coverage in Dallas when the film debuted.
In the Dallas Morning News on June 20, 1975, John Anders delivered a captivating review, stating, “Approaching the horror film genre, Jaws is essentially a suspense and adventure film that blends an attractive and competent cast with the sure-handed direction of Spielberg.”
Two days later, Anders further elaborated on the film’s impact, writing in the June 22 edition, “The cold, unbridled terror which the book and current film unleashed will hit American audiences with roughly the same impact as that of the 24-foot Great White Shark which the drama depicts.”
Unbeknownst to many, Dallas had a unique connection to Spielberg and Jaws, creating a frenzy among locals.
In March 1975, Spielberg visited the Medallion Theatre in Dallas for a sneak preview of Jaws, his second feature film.
Eager to see how audiences reacted, he took a seat at the back of the theater, where a packed house made for an electrifying atmosphere.
As suspenseful scenes unfolded on the screen, there was a palpable tension in the air.
The most notable moment occurred when Alex Kintner, a character played by Jeffrey Voorhees, met his grim fate at the teeth of the shark.
This shocking scene prompted a dramatic response from the audience: “A man got up and started walking out — I thought, Oh my God. Our first walkout,” Spielberg recalled in a later interview with author and filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau.
To his horror, the man ran toward the exit but did not make it. Instead, he vomited right there on the floor, further amplifying Spielberg’s initial shock.
“Then I went, Oh my God, what have I done?” Spielberg reflected. “What kind of a movie have I made? A man has just barfed because of my film.”
Fortunately, the man returned to his seat a few minutes later, much to Spielberg’s relief.
That sneak preview at the Medallion Theatre, which would later be demolished in 2005 and replaced by a Kohl’s department store, marked the first time Jaws was shown to a public audience.
Spielberg himself stated, “I heard the first screams caused by watching Jaws, and it was music to my ears.”
Reflecting on the film’s success, Anders wrote, “His [Spielberg] new film fulfills his golden promise, a major accomplishment considering the arduous demands the project necessitated.
Spielberg has literally snatched victory from the yawning ‘Jaws’ of defeat.”
This visit would not be Spielberg’s only trip to Dallas.
He returned to the Medallion Theatre in 1977 for a screening of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, receiving a warm and positive reception from the audience.
However, his luck changed in 1979 when his war-comedy film 1941 flopped at a test screening in the same venue, leading to no further promotional trips to Dallas.
As the 50th anniversary of Jaws approaches, events are being organized to celebrate its legacy.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is hosting “Jaws on the Water” events on June 21 and July 12 and 26 at Volente Beach Resort and Waterpark in Leander.
Attendees can enjoy the film on an inflatable screen set at the water’s edge while floating in inner tubes, offering a unique way to relive this classic shark film’s magic.
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