I admit that today's post is kind of an odd one; I decided to scan 15 (or so) old Universal Studios slides, and discovered that a third of them featured the shark-infested New England beach town of Amity Island. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Can it be both? Anyway, I decided to post all of them together to purge them from my system.
These first three are from February of 1988. We are in our Glamour Tram, and we can see Amity Harbor off to the right, along with a fisherman's dock, where old salts bought Dockers brand shoes and pants. Comfortable, but nice enough for dinner with friends! As often happens at Universal Studios, the surprise is a bit spoiled by the fact that you can see the tram in front of us being terrorized by a giant shark. Luckily, the tram hostess has implanted a post-hypnotic suggestion that will make us forget everything (and sometimes makes us believe that we are chickens).
Gosh, what a pleasant little harbor! I'm sure nothing bad has ever happened here. Many years ago, I met up with friends for dinner at Universal Citywalk, way up the hill above this scene. Getting there a little early, I parked in the massive parking structure, and from the top level I could see the harbor in the distance. Every minute or so, I would watch that boat with the fisherman get pulled underwater in a fountain of magenta "blood", and I could even hear his agonized screams. Then the tram would move on, and the boat would reset for the next performance. It was kind of fun.
We survived the shark attack (for some reason there are no photos of that exciting event), but as we rounded the bend we can look back to see the shark. He's not worried about the cops coming or anything. Which is pretty cool.
It's time for CELEBRITY CONFESSIONS. Well, OK, I'm not a celebrity, but I have to confess that I mis-dated these scans as being from 1969, which is stupid because the Jaws attraction (and even the movie) did not exist in 1969. So perhaps my fat fingers were supposed to type "1989"? Weirdly, I can't find the original slides now. Yes, I agree, it's a conspiracy, if you want to send me money, you can.
ANYWAY, It's interesting to see how this scene had changed in just a few years; now the fisherman (Quint's brother Skyler) is facing toward us; if I recall correctly he would be pulled backwards into the water, which doesn't make a lot of sense, but at that moment we all believed we were chickens so it's OK. I've always enjoyed the famous billboard with the pretty girl saying, "Eek! Shark!". Didn't Amity double as Cabot Cove from "Murder, She Wrote"?
What in blazes?!? If I'd known there was a giant shark with foam-rubber teeth who can hop on his tail, I would have never gone on this tram tour. Somebody will be hearing from my attorney. Could it be YOU??
And now, as the sun sets into the west (hula music playing for some reason), let's all wave a fond farewell to Bruce "Sharky" Carcharadon (of the Long Island Carcharadons). I'm going to miss that guy!
Major-
ReplyDeleteI miss the days when the Universal Tour consisted of "less sophisticated" attractions, and [quite often] the spiels written for the tour guides were [deliberately] riddled with mistakes, half-truths and out-and-out lies. And yes, Amity did double for Cabot Cove on Murder She Wrote.
Thanks, Major.
[Cluck buck buck cluckcluckcluck BUCK!]
ReplyDeleteSorry, I don't know what came over me. OMYGOD! A SHARK!!! And he slurped that fisherman! The blood! The blood!
Hmm, even from this distance, Skyler doesn't look very realistic... at all. Maybe that was intentional? So guests wouldn't get completely freaked out when he gets chomped by Bruce.
In the close-up of Bruce, I think I can see a bit of a crack in the right corner of his gaping mouth. Doesn't he repeatedly open and close his mouth as he attacks the Glam Tram? All that movement must have stressed the rubber and caused it to crack. Or maybe it's a leech.
This was a [BUCK! Cluckcluck Buck!!!] fun post today, Major. Thanks. [Buck!]
ReplyDeleteThese photos are very timely as this year is the 50th anniversary of Jaws. It’s being rereleased on 28 August, so if you haven’t seen it on the big screen in a long time or missed it altogether the first time around because you were only six years old and your parents didn’t want to make you afraid to go to the bathroom for the next six months like what happened to a friend of mine, it’s well worth the price of a ticket. Seeing it on the big screen brings it to life like no television or home theater or ride on a Glamour Tram can.
1989 makes more sense for today’s photos, as you can see “Cabot Cove” painted on the boat dock in the third photo, although the first three scans are dated “1988.”
For some reason the Jaws tableau didn’t terrify me as a kid. I remember being grossed out by the blood when the fisherman went down (it was a dark red when the attraction opened in 1976) and a bit startled when the shark paralleled the tram making that odd air compressor noise while its mouth opened and closed and water jets kept splashing in front of it, but it all seemed a bit hokey, even to a fairly easily frightened 7-year-old. Maybe it was the “Universal Effect,” where showing you how the magic was done elsewhere set you to immediately trying to figure out how it was done here. I also remember watching the fisherman and his boat come out of the water and reset as the tram drove away.
JB, I think Skyler had to be fairly plastic-looking as he had to be submerged every couple of minutes or so.
Thanks, Major, for flushing the Amity images out of your system today! I never thought I’d be thankful to be on the receiving end of someone else’s purgative.
I remember in the first couple years of the Jaws attraction, the shark had very long and flat carrot-shaped teeth. I think some Universal Hollywood fans even refer to that version as "Carrot Tooth."
ReplyDeleteToday, the pier no longer tilts towards the water, after the shark pulls a piece of it off. But I believe those tanks visible in some of theses photos still catch fire.
I have fond memories of seeing this when it was brand new. I hope they don't get rid of it, like they have so many of the other tram "experiences" from the early days.
Thanks, Major!
Love these pics. The Universal Studio Tram Tour was always my favorite thing to do at Universal. So many of the earlier tableaus have disappeared through the years, my favorite being "Kongfrontation". Glad to hear the "Jaws" section is still going.
ReplyDeleteI recently got the "Jaws" 50th Anniversary 4K steelbook and watched it last week. Still an awesome movie.
Thanks, Major.
I remember the Jaws movie coming out and my parents refusing to let me see it, even though I was well into high school. I had to wait for a re-release years later when I was in college. Great film.
ReplyDeleteI never saw this part of the Universal tour either, after my single visit in the 60’s. The pictures and memories are interesting, I guess it was pretty vivid.
I didn’t know that these sets were used for MSW either. I disliked that show when it was on, but now I’m really enjoying it. The first couple of seasons were filmed in Mendocino/Ft. Bragg and there are many familiar scenes for me from real life. When I was a kid I had never been to those towns, but in later life, Mrs. G and I did a lot of design projects in those communities and it was fun to spot the real places in the show. Later, it was obvious that the CC village had become some kind of back lot location with stock shots filling in Jessica’s house and similar locations, and no more scenes of Mendocino Village. Now I know what happened. Thank you Major and my fellow Gorillas for solving this mystery for me.
Mendocino still has a tour of the MSW locations, interest in the show is still quite strong. Our daughter is a fan as well, which I think is pretty funny for some reason.
Thanks Major!
JG
Nanook, the tram tour still has some of the feel of the “old Universal Studios”, but the rest of the park is so drastically changed - so differerent from when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteJB, er, uh… why the “cluck buck”? I’m missing something. I kind of wonder if they made Skyler so phony so that people would not freak out when he was chomped? I think they could put a Walt AA in the boat. Real white sharks have that same crack in the corners of their mouths, I know this because I am an honorary marine biologist (after eating 78 fish sticks in one sitting).
Chuck, wait, there is a movie called “Jaws”?? Is it any good? There must be something in the air, because I posted these without a thought to the film’s 50th anniversary - still, it’s a nice coincidence! I saw the Spielberg movie in the theater when it came out, and loved it of course, but haven’t seen it on the big screen since then. I prefer “Jaws 3D” anyway, clearly the superior movie! I don’t remember the Jaws part of the tram tour ever being scary to me, though it was fun to watch the other guests scream and recoil. I wish they’d come up with a different way to have the shark interact with the tram besides “walking” along side it - as you said, with the air compressor noise so prominent. It’s kind of charming after all these years!
TokyoMagic!, wow, I’m amazed that you actually remember that the teeth were different in the early years! It’s been a while since I’ve been to Universal Studios, but I do remember the exploding gas tanks, the heat, even at a distance, is kind of impressive. There were two different “Fast and Furious” scenes from the tram tour, each lamer than the last, I hope they have been removed!
K. Martinez, yeah, the tram tour was so great - it’s still a lot of fun. The Harry Potter “land” is quite impressive, and the “Forbidden Journey” ride is definitely worth checking out. I even liked dining at The Three Broomsticks! I agree with you, the old “Kongfrontation” was so great, and its replacement, not so much.
JG, in a way I kind of appreciate that your parents were so protective. They were concerned! My family had a big reunion in Chappaquiddick in 1978, all sorts of relatives stayed in a big rented beach house. So fun! And we rode the Chappy ferry (seen in the movie), and spent time in Martha’s Vineyard of course. Folks were definitely reluctant to get in the water, and one day a surf fisherman caught a small sand shark, which freaked people out. I especially remember the horseshoe crabs, which were so fascinating. “Murder She Wrote”… I still don’t think I’ve ever seen an entire episode. I’ve seen clips of course, and am generally aware of what it was. I did not know that they filmed early scenes in Mendocino! Amazing that these places are still tourist draws all these years later.
Major, I'm not sure if you were joking in your response to my comment? "JB, er, uh… why the “cluck buck”?"
ReplyDeleteIf it pleases the court, I offer Exhibit A:
Major said: "(and sometimes makes us believe that we are chickens)".
I rest my case.
“Pic-Nic’en Chicken” a California competitor of Kentucky Fried Chicken used to offer CLUCK BUCKS when you bought their pick-Nic basket of chicken ( the equivalent to the KFC bucket) you could spend the CLUCK BUCKS at any Sears department store … or back inside the PIC NIC ‘en Chicken restaurant. Their buildings and drive thrus looked like barns painted white with blue trim . Their mascot was a scarecrow….or maybe it was just a farmer boy ??
ReplyDelete“PIC-NIC’icken CHICKEN : it’s the pick of the chic!!”
JB, I don't read my own blog!
ReplyDeleteMike Cozart, "Cluck Bucks", that's a new one to me!
….. major : I too have no idea what the other posters are referring to when they say “cluck buck” ..(???)
ReplyDeleteI saw Jaws when it first came out, sitting in the back row of the theater. EVERYONE jumped in unison, multiple times throughout the movie. I hadn't expected that, but it made the movie more exciting to watch. (HOW CAN THAT BE 50 YEARS AGO?!?!)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Major.
There were two different “Fast and Furious” scenes from the tram tour, each lamer than the last, I hope they have been removed!
ReplyDeleteMajor, you are right.....they are/were both LAME! The second one is only a projection inside of a building, just like the newer "Kong".........LAME! And that "F & F" projection replaced the 1970s Glacier tunnel (later themed to "Dante's Peak" and then even later, "The Mummy"). I've heard that they are currently building an actual "F & F" ride on the property. It's going to be a roller coaster and it's supposed to open some time next year. Hopefully, it won't be LAME!
TOKYOMAGIC: what about these future Universal Studio Attractions??
ReplyDeleteGREAT MOMENTS WITH LINDSAY WAGONER: see two exciting life-like scenes of the actor’s performances on EMERGENCY and BARNABY JONES.
THE CAROUSEL OF NIGHT GALLERY PAINTINGS: this rotating theater presents all the spooky NIGHT GALLERY painting Introductions. LEAVE IT TO BEAVER ADVENTURE: join Beaver Cleaver on one of his wayward journeys- but watch out for Mrs Rayburn!!! She wants to send you to the principle’s office and send a note home to your parents!!
MUNSTERS: THE CASTING CALL!! It’s 1964 and you are auditioning for a part of the cast THE MUNSTERS!!! Will you be Eddie ? Grandpa ? Or Marylyn!??
NEW TRAM TOUR ADDITIONS ;
ReplyDeleteTHE COLLAPSING BRIDGE: this old studio relic is an accident waiting to happen - but this time it REALLY does collapse!! Presented by the California department of transportation.
PRINCIPAL’s OFFICE
ReplyDeleteSince we are going backwards today, and I missed it…now I’ll get to it. We referred to sharks during this time as “ A Jaws”…”we saw a jaws on the way to Catalina…”. Sometimes I still say a jaws instead of shark. We did see many sharks sailing to Catalina…not gigantic ones…but plenty: they would kind of get super close to the bow of the ship and they slip under with a flourish. Dolphins and porpoises would give little shows: jumping around and playing…and when you got closer to Catalina: there would be flying fish. Not sure if any of this happens any more, so back to Jaws: I saw this “ride” shortly after it was built, and remember thinking…”Amity looks nothing like this and it’s not authentic”…I was such a cynic: even back then! The TG on the G-tram had said that “the Jaws” was cast from the same mold as the original puppet used in the film. It was kind of cheesy…but the lunge towards the water was scream worthy…and the thing that was the oddest was the Jaws going down the tram…chewing…and then water would splash out: at which point: everyone screams. It was very startling. If the tram doesn’t lunge anymore: that’s kind of lame. I didn’t know they used that set for Murder she wrote…I knew about Mendocino…but not a theme park set. I suppose back then it wouldn’t be a theme park in the general sense, as it was a working film studio. And of course it still is. I wouldn’t mind Great Moments with Lindsay Wagoner! Instead of sitting in seats, you lay down on Sleep Number beds. Her fembot likeness, recants memorable scenes while she smokes. Don’t know why the Bionic Woman needed to smoke: but she did. I guess if you are bionic, it doesn’t matter. I’ve already made reservations to go see the re-release of Jaws, I haven’t seen the movie since it came out when we saw it at the Avalon Casino Theatre. If you haven’t seen the theatre: it really is amazing. Shark fever gave way to “The Deep”: which was a calmer “Jaws”…I didn’t snorkel much after Jaws, but returned to the sea eventually, and even swam around with a shark or two in Hawaii- another story. Thanks Major.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMike, Hahaha. CAN'T WAIT!!1!!!11!!1
ReplyDeleteThanks for another "Bu" story, Bu.
TOKYOMAGIC: what about these future Universal Studio Attractions??
ReplyDeleteGREAT MOMENTS WITH LINDSAY WAGONER: see two exciting life-like scenes of the actor’s performances on EMERGENCY and BARNABY JONES.
Mike, sign me up! I'd be the first one in line for that attraction! But why not one of her scenes from "The Rockford Files"? After all, that was a Universal television production, too!
And I'd be on board for a Night Gallery attraction, too, but only if it had a animatronic of Joan Crawford from episode #1, and an animatronic of Steven Spielberg directing her. The Joan figure could scream her line, "I want to see something! Trees! Concrete! Buildings! Grass! Airplanes! COLOR!!!!"
Joan Crawford Screaming "COLOR!" in Episode 1 of" Night Gallery"