Martha's Vineyard Jaws | Vineyard Gazette

Filming of Jaws, 1974

Edith Blake

For Jaws, Some Progress — For the 400, an Ice Water Romp

Edith Blake | Friday, July 12 1974 - 9:40am

“We’ll go again,” said the assistant director, Tom Joyner, and into the valley of death waded The 400 with cameras to the right of them, and cameras to the left of them.

The water was cold, cold, cold, and what sunshine there was was most uncooperative. It was Sunday, the last day of June, and really not an ideal day to spend (all of it, every last bit of it) on the beach. The leftover northeast winds were still onshore and so were about 600 people.

Jaws

Susan Backlinie Swam Into Film History as First Jaws Victim

Louisa Hufstader

Susan Backlinie, who played the doomed skinny dipper Chrissie Watkins in Jaws, died May 11 at 77. The movie was released in 1975 and Ms. Backlinie became an enduring screen icon as the shark's first victim.

Vineyard Resident Wins $1 Million in Jaws Lottery Game

Ethan Genter

Gecimar Silva, a longtime painter from Tisbury, claimed his prize at the Massachusetts Lottery headquarters in Dorchester Friday, opting to take the one-time lump sum payment of $650,000.

Officials Say Jaws Celebration Needs More Specifics

Bill Eville

The great grandson of the Universal Studios founders continues to formulate plans for a 50th anniversary Jaws festival on the Island, although concrete details are sparse.

Aquinnah Eyed For Jaws Anniversary Celebration

Ethan Genter

Michael Dakin Cochrane, the great grandson of Philip Dakin Cochrane, who helped found Universal Studios in 1912 with his brother Robert, reached out to Aquinnah town hall about the potential of hosting the event between June 15 and 30, 2025.

50 Years Ago, Jaws Came to the Vineyard After Canceled Nantucket Ferry

Louisa Hufstader

Production designer Joe Alves had planned to scout Nantucket for the movie Jaws when his ferry was turned around. He ended up on Martha's Vineyard instead, forever changing the Island.

Vineyard Plays Starring Role in New Jaws Exhibit

Louisa Hufstader

Titled Creating Amity Island, the new exhibit at the Martha's Vineyard Museum brings together behind-the-scenes photos and collectibles from the now-historic 1974 production that made the Vineyard famous to millions of viewers around the world.