Just like the killer nice white shark, the “Jaws” theme track took an enormous chunk out of film historical past.
The terrifying two-note theme of the 1975 summer time blockbuster — which turns 50 on June 20 — has been riffed on in different traditional movies for its cultural influence that’s nonetheless placing fang-crunching worry within the lots 5 many years later.
Composer John Williams’ menacing motif has been referenced — and ripped on — in different large movies which have taken it from horror to humor.
“I think it’s a compliment when anything becomes parodied that much, like, if you work your way into a popular comedy movie or something,” movie music historian Tim Greiving — who wrote the upcoming biography “John Williams: A Composer’s Life” — completely instructed The Put up.
“’It’s, like, acknowledging that this is something that is so culturally important, or that everybody recognizes it, that you can kind of play on it. If it was a little more obscure, the reference wouldn’t work. I’ll take it as a compliment.”
However whereas the theme has been spoofed, Williams — who gained his first of 4 Oscars for Finest Unique Rating for “Jaws” — took it very critically.
“I think that serious intention comes through in the music and keeps it from being campy,” stated Greiving.
Nonetheless, the theme has been performed for laughs in traditional comedies resembling “Airplane!” and “Caddyshack.”
“The funny thing is, John Williams has talked about [how] sometimes he plays it in concert, and people start laughing, and it’s not supposed to make you laugh, although it made [‘Jaws’ director] Steven Spielberg laugh when he first heard it,” stated Greiving. “So it has this interesting psychological effect now.”
“But I think at its core, it still does what it was supposed to do — which is freak you out.”
Right here, we dive into seven movies which have sunk their enamel into the “Jaws” theme.
‘1941’
The opening scene of Spielberg’s 1979 struggle comedy pays homage to the “Jaws” theme. with Susan Backlinie — who performed Chrissie Watkins, the shark’s first sufferer in “Jaws.”
‘Airplane!’
As what seems to be a fin — however seems to be a 747 — cuts by means of the clouds, the sinister riff of “Jaws” takes this 1980 catastrophe comedy off in its opening credit.
‘Caddyshack’
When a sweet bar is mistaken for a turd in a swimming pool, the “Jaws” theme heightens the horror within the 1980 comedy starring Billy Murray and Chevy Chase.
‘9 1/2 Weeks’
When a child claims that his buddy can fart the “Jaws” theme on this 1986 erotic drama, Mickey Rourke mimics it. How horny.
‘Spaceballs’
Mel Brooks’ 1987 “Star Wars” parody performs off the menacing motif from “Jaws” whereas chasing a insurgent ship.
‘Back to the Future II’
The shark story’s theme performs as Michael J. Fox’s Marty McFly encounters an commercial for “Jaws 19” — the 18th sequel to the unique — when he travels to 2015.
‘Clerks’
Jeff Anderson’s character in Kevin Smith’s 1994 cult traditional dips into the “Jaws” theme as his triangular tortilla chip cuts by means of some “thick & chunky” salsa.
