Jaws made a generation of moviegoers afraid to swim in the water, but it even had an impact on some of the actors. As Jaws celebrates its 50th anniversary this summer, many people are looking back on the iconic movie that helped usher in the era of summer blockbusters.
While not the first shark attack movie ever made, the brilliant use of the shark’s point of view instilled a fear in the audience that something in the ocean was watching them without them even realizing it. However, it was the fake shark that was responsible for much of Jaws’ production troubles that made an impact on one young actor.
Looking back at the movie, actor Jay Mello recalls his terrified memories of the mechanical shark used in the movie. Mello was only 6 years old when he played Sean Brody, the youngest child of Roy Scheider’s Chief Brody. While his parents wouldn’t let him watch Jaws‘ scariest scenes, the fake shark was enough to leave an impression (via People):
“I do remember the first time I saw it. It was just the head part of the shark. I kind of questioned Shari Rhodes, who was the casting director. I said, ‘Where’s the rest of the shark?’ I didn’t go back into the water for like two years after the movie was made.”
What Jay Mello’s Jaws Memories Mean For The Movie’s Legacy
Mello’s Memories Highlight Jaws’ Lasting Impact
Jaws left a lasting impact on many audiences, especially those who were maybe too young to watch it at the time. While it is tame by modern horror standards in terms of gore, Steven Spielberg delivers some unforgettable moments that made even the bravest swimmers second-guess dipping their toes back in the water.
While the troubles with the shark famously forced Spielberg to hide the shark more, which ended up being highly effective, the sight of the beast was key as well.
However, the fact that Jay Mello was so terrified by the prop of the shark in the movie highlights how important that malfunctioning shark was to the overall movie. While the troubles with the shark famously forced Spielberg to hide the shark more, which ended up being highly effective, the sight of the beast was key as well.
The scene in which Chief Brody comes face-to-face with the shark for the first time is one of the most impactful moments in the entire movie. Likewise, Quint’s death in Jaws, as he helplessly slides into the shark’s chomping mouth, is terrifying. It is not surprising that a 6-year-old was traumatized by the sight of the shark’s enormous head.
Our Take On Jay Mello’s Jaws Memories
Jaws Was Destined To Be A Hit
With the 50th anniversary of Jaws bringing up countless stories about the making of the movie, it is a lot of fun to hear from one of the younger costars. Mello may not have returned for the Jaws sequels, but he is memorable in the role, including the sweet moment in which he mimics his father’s worried expressions.
With all the tales of Jaws‘ troubled production, from the delays to Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss’s feud, there is a sense that few people involved were able to take the time to consider that they were making a movie that would leave an impact on audiences. Mello’s memories highlight how Jaws had the right elements to be a hit.
Mello’s reaction to seeing the shark’s head is maybe one of the earliest indications that it would become the face of one of the great movie monsters. It is also a good thing he avoided watching the actual movie, as the shocking Jaws death scene of young Alex Kintner may have kept him out of the water for good.
Source: People
