June 20, 1975: Jaws Released, Beaches Empty

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36 years ago today Steven Spielberg’s Jaws was released to theaters across America on June 20th, 1975. Based on the hit 1974 novel by Peter Benchley, Jaws is considered by many to be the first summer blockbuster (hotly contested by 1977’s Star Wars.)

Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw - Two opposite examples of 70s manliness


It seems bizarre to me now but I saw this movie in the theater at the impressionable age of eight-years-young. Jeeeeezus! This film scared the living chum out of me and (I’m not kidding here) I didn’t go more than a foot deep into the ocean for a good few years afterward. I was sure I was going to be eaten alive by a giant Great White at any moment. Hurray for Hollywood!

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat…”

Interesting Jaws factoids: Jaws author Peter Benchley wrote three drafts of the screenplay before dropping out of the project. Benchley does, however, appear in the film briefly as a news reporter.

Jaws '75. It's a kids film right? My local theater thought so.


Jaws Wiki, Jaws IMDb, Jaws novel

Evel Soars On Harley ’75

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Here’s a totally radical magazine ad for you from 1975. Evel Knievel for Harley-Davidson – featuring “Knievel’s own XR-750” and other nifty AMF Harleys such as the FXE-1200 and the Z-90. No, I don’t really know my bikes but Evel sure as hell did. This one time, he jumped over like 35 buses. He crashed and stuff but it was super cool.

See this arm kid? Broken in 16 places. Cool, huh?

“Follow the lead of Evel Knievel. To the AMF Harley-Davidson world of freedom.”

Check out the official Evel Knievel site for more great pics like this.

TV Time: Star Wars Droid Factory

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Hey Kids! It’s time for another vintage Star Wars toy commercial – this time circa 1979. The Star Wars Droid Factory let kids build a three-legged R2 unit and even create their own droids from scratch. I didn’t have this toy – but I sure as heck wanted one. It’s got an official Star Wars crane fer god’s sake!

Seconds later the giant child swallowed R2-D2 whole

“Help the Jawas build R2-D2 and hundreds of other droids! 33 interchangeable droid parts build up to 5 robots at one time, including an R2-D2 with 3 legs or a 4-wheeled robot that rolls. Movable crane snaps onto platform and carries parts from “supply” to the “assembly line”; specially designed ramp allows the Jawa action figures to “roll out the droids”! Figures not included. Ages 5 and up. $11.95″



Droid-in-a-Box!



YouTube poster, Droid Factory box pic & details

TV Time: ABC Sunday Night Movie – The Longest Yard

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Sunday night. Time for popcorn and a movie on broadcast TV.

Recorded off the TV in 1979, this ABC Sunday Night Movie promo urges you to watch this evening’s flick – Burt Reynold’s 1974 prison football comedy – The Longest Yard.

In the late 70s, Cable TV was in a fledgeling state, Betamax recorders were damn expensive (we sure didn’t have one) and video rental stores were virtually non-existent. Most folks looked forward to recent movies (and by recent I mean a couple of years old) finally making an appearance on the living room boob tube. The films were heavily edited, cursing was over-dubbed and commercials interrupted every 10 to 15 minutes – and yet we endured. Kids today with their movies on wrist watches and such! They don’t know just how easy their access to filmed entertainment is. Stay off my lawn!, etc., etc.

(Source: MrClassicAds) The Longest Yard IMDb, The Longest Yard Wiki

Paul McCartney & Wings: Junior’s Farm

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Recorded in Nashville, Tennessee and released 25 October, 1974 – Paul McCartney & Wings’ single Junior’s Farm rode the tractor of success all the way to #3 in the US charts and #16 in the UK.

Sir Paul may have been growing secret plants down on the farm

“You should have seen me with the poker man
I had a honey and I bet a grand
Just in the nick of time I looked at his hand.”

Be on the look-out for Wings lead guitarist Jimmy McCulloch in this performance who died a few years later in 1979 at the tragically young age of 26.

Rolling Stones Live: June 3rd, 1972

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On this day – June 3rd – cranking back 39 years to 1972 – The Rolling Stones performed at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, BC, Canada. This concert was the opening night of the band’s latest and greatest tour (sometimes called the S.T.P Tour.)

The Stones were ready to show off the Exile on Main St. L.P. which was released a few weeks earlier in May. The opening act for the tour? Stevie Wonder. Yeah, not a bad evening’s entertainment.

Twins...Glimmering

Grab a bottle of J.D., put your feet up and enjoy this video of the Stones playing ‘Happy’ live in ’72. Back then, Mick ‘n’ Keef could almost stand one another. Almost makes ya cry ‘Happy’ tears.

Rolling Stones, ‘Happy,’ Live, 1972

Rolling Stones Line-Up: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mick Taylor, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts with Nicky Hopkins, Bobby Keys and Jim Price.
Set List:
1. Brown Sugar
2. Rocks Off
3. Gimmie Shelter
4. Bitch
5. Tumbling Dice
6. Happy
7. Honky Talk Women
8. Loving Cup
9. Torn and Frayed
10. Sweet Virginia
11. You Can’t Always Get What You Want
12. Ventilator Blues
13. Midnight Rambler
14. All Down The Line
15. Bye Bye Johnny
16. Rip This Joint
17. Jumpin’ Jack Flash
18. Street Fighting Man

(Source)