(8-23-25) Just finished reading the amazing book, ON LOCATION ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD:The Making of the Movie JAWS by Edith Blake and here are my thoughts.
JAWS, the biggest, the most classic, and the first summer blockbuster of all-time! It was the first film I ever saw. I was 4yrs old in 1975 when the film was released. It has held a special place in my life and heart ever since. You may watch the film tons of times, but do you really know the film? That's where the
'ON LOCATION....' book comes in. This amazing book is like a personal journal by author Edith Blake. She tells the reader daily routines, behind-the scenes stories, secrets, and details of everything that happened in front of and behind the camera. She tells us tales of late night dinners, special effects that won't work, and she shares good & bad memories of the locals who were invaded by Hollywood to make a movie about a shark on their peaceful island. The book goes step-by-step from the first scene of the first swimmer victim to the explosive ending. There are some wonderful detailed tales in this book, but as I read it I kept asking myself: How did they get through it!? If something was going to break, if there was a problem with an actor or location, and, of course, if the shark broke...it happened! It is amazing this film got completed with all the obstacles it had to overcome. And overcome it. Edith takes this journey with us all the way to its premiere night. I really enjoyed the behind-the scenes stories a lot and it gives me a different view of the film now. There are extras in this 50th Anniversary edition, extra chapters, unseen photos, and a special Introduction by author & JAWS expert Michael Smith. Michael also contributes a nice "Anniversary Chapter" and special tribute to author Edith Blake who sadly passed away.
If you're a fan of JAWS, want to know how a blockbuster film was made, and want to know the hardships it took to make this film told by someone who was there, then ON LOCATION ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD: The Making of the Movie JAWS by Edith Blake is for you! I highly recommend this book that takes you down the fascinating and sandy beaches of the film JAWS.
You can find this book at Bear Manor Media Publishing website.