Jaws on the big screen

By Katrina Dahlke:

40 years ago, the tale of a quiet tourist town hunting a shark for vengeance hit the big screen. Steven Spielberg directed the movie based on a Peter Benchley novel that had been published the year before. And it was what we would consider today a summer blockbuster.

I’m going to come right out and admit I have never seen “Jaws.”

And as someone who hasn’t seen it, my own non-memories of Jaws mostly have to do with John Williams’ film score. Actually, just two notes from the film score.

When I was a kid before I knew what sharks were, or the horror that Jaws was for that matter, I would get chased around the pool by my dad going “duhn-duhn, duhn-duhn,” speeding up as he got closer until he caught me. Those E and F notes were part of a game; they were the build up to me screaming in delight and pretending to escape.

In middle school, I was informed that the harmless notes were the sound of a man-eating shark coming to eat my limbs. It therefore made sense for my older cousin to use “duhn-duhn, duhn-duhn” to prepare his sister and me for his attacks in dark, murky lake water each summer. You can bet I scrambled for the boat as fast as my uncoordinated legs could get me.  Shark or no shark, the sound sparked suspense, and the adrenaline that followed was enough to make me move. I was not going to be pulled under and half drowned.

This weekend there will be no need for imagination or false adrenaline. In honor of the 40^th anniversary, several movie theaters will be showing “Jaws” with its music, Moby Dick-esque undertones and Spielberg’s direction on the big screen. You’ll be able to hear and watch in a dark, cool theater just like opening day in 1975.

Bainbridge Cinemas: Sunday, June 21 at 2 p.m. and Wednesday, June 24 at 7 p.m.

Olympic Cinemas: Sunday, June 21 at 2 p.m. and Wednesday, June 24 at 7 p.m

Regal Poulsbo Stadium 10: Sunday, Jun 21 at 2 p.m.