Jaws: in the movie, the mythical shark spent 20 years of his life in a landfill!

It is not easy to maintain the accessories used during filming. Especially if they come from a time when studios didn’t necessarily care about legacy. This was especially true of the legendary umbrella held by Mary Poppins, which was impossible for a long time. In June 2021, 40 years after she was lost, we found the Judy Garland dress she wore in The Wizard of Oz.

Another example, this time older? The sled used by Orson Welles in Citizen Kane, the so-called rose bud : after the movie, It was awarded in 1942 as a prize during the film’s promotional campaign. The winner was a 12-year-old boy…

And then there are absolutely incredible examples, such as the legendary model of the Death Star in Star Wars, which spent part of its post-filming existence as … a trash can in a private home and even an ashtray. The fate of the famous jawed shark is equally surprising in this register.

“When I think of Jaws, I think of courage and stupidity.”

Released in the mid-summer of 1975, Jaws literally left audiences paralyzed in their seats, while sparking a movement of concern at seaside resorts. Spielberg said that he had a feeling on set that he could shock future viewers with electric shocks. The bet is largely met, helped by brilliant direction, but above all supported by an extraordinary soundtrack, incredibly suggestive, which really increases the tension in the audience.

“When I think of Jaws, I think of courage and stupidity.” The film director will say. Making the movie was hell, especially with the mechanical sharks created by Bob Mattei, the creator of the giant octopus in 20,000 Leagues of Seas, who created three animated sharks in polyurethane.

Called “Bruce”, these false sharks were more than eight meters long and each weighed a ton and a half. Given the operational difficulties, Steven Spielberg was forced to show as little of the animal as possible and to use low-angle shots that matched his point of view.

Forgotten in a landfill for over 20 years

After filming, these three sharks were destroyed. It turns out that a fourth model, smaller and reduced in scale, was created in 1976 in fiberglass from the same mold. The model was displayed at Universal Studios in California, where it remained until 1990.

During this time, after the Jaws wave had long since died out, this shark was sold to a man named Sam Adlen, who owned a car junkyard in Sun Valley. Thus, the false shark will remain on the pylon for 20 years, exposed to climatic hazards. Despite several offers to buy her back, Sam Adlen never wanted to part with her. And it was mostly forgotten.

in 2010, Cory Turner, NPR site reporterWas able to track this accessory. “It’s a real creation” Commentary will be provided by Roy Arbogast, one of the team responsible for creating the special effects for the film. “It’s great to see him after 25 or 30 years, it’s amazing he’s still here.”

as a nickname Junkyard BruceIt was eventually donated to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences by the landfill owner’s son upon the latter’s death. Whoever decided to restore it, after leaving it in a temperature-controlled box for too long, exposed it his museum.