KOVR ID / ABC Sunday Night Movie Special Open: "Jaws" - 1979

[MattTheSaiyan]

I wonder how long until they remake "Jaws".

[sindydoll35]

@MattTheSaiyan oh 4 the love of god do not wish hollywood 2 fuck up another classic with 1 of their remakes-its all about makin money,they dont give a shit about the fans-pirhana,my bloody valentine,halloween,the fog,nightmare on elm street,friday13th-the list goes on.

[sexymama1966]

i miss the announcers...they will make anyone want to watch!

[slipknot789able]

i was only a year old when this aired

[zl1vette427]

JAWS aired on November 4th, 1979....nowhere close to Summer...in fact, the same day as the start of the Iranian Hostage situation.

[nickma71]

I have watched this movie so many times their clothes don't look dated.

[UnknownThomasFan30]

I have the entire ABC Airing on my PC. IT has all the deleted scenes and alternate shots. It's so cool

[olds8er]

@UnknownThomasFan30

do you have or know where I can get a copy of the rcorded TV version, I've been looking all over for it. Thanks

[olds8er]

@UnknownThomasFan30

do you have or know where I can get a copy of the rcorded TV version, I've been looking all over for it. Thanks

[UnknownThomasFan30]

@olds8er demonoid

My friend found the ABC airing and uploaded it there. Type in the search bar JAWS ABC and it should be the first one listed.

[olds8er]

@UnknownThomasFan30

hey, I looked, but only see the opening promo, I'm searching for the entire movie as it appeared on abc, there are some significant changes in that version, where did your friend find the airing?

is there a link you can send me?

[mdumas43073]

Ernie Anderson could have introduced school board meetings on public access cable and made them sound like exciting, must-watch TV.

[nosajj12345]

what the heck part of the country did you live in back in 79? JAWS never premiered on network TV, on the West Coast, until 1987. I was 17 and remember that night well. Had it aired even earlier I would have definitely known about it. Is there a chance you go the year wrong?

[poaeypark]

HA HA the good old days rotary dial phones no cable tv just free air tv from a big tv antennas that was on the roof of the house remember this well the night it was on tv ......

[Timbrock1000]

This is what TV was like back when TV was worth watching. Great movies, so good, you didn't need cable! Not like today with stupid, boring idiotic shows. (2& 1/2 men, Dancing with the stars, GAG! I'd rather brush my teeth and drink orange juice!) ABC had a Friday, Saturday & Sunday night movie. Great movies and far fewer commercials than today!

[AngelofAnguish]

@Timbrock1000 You would think that T.V. channels/networks would demonstrate or exercise "common sense"/logic by "making the most of modern technology" and, thus, giving the public some DECENT entertainment. So far, in my opinion, they proven or confirmed the OPPOSITE.

[videozfann]

Whe movie nights were an event.

[flix2view]

Did they edit out all the swears, including son-of-a b---?

[ronnygann]

This takes me right back to my childhood! I'm 40 now, and I was 9 years old when this aired on ABC. I can remember being all excited with my family to watch it ... and then too scared to go to bed afterward. My favorite movie of all time, if for no other reason is that it takes me back to those special days. Can't thank you enough KLXT77 for posting this.

Incidentally, for my 39th birthday, my wife took me to Martha's Vineyard, where we got to scout all the locations for the film's shoot.

[RavenHouseMystery]

Jaws was such a movie phenomena that it deserved its own special introduction when it was first broadcasted on ABC. I believe this aired right at the end of the summer, right before we had to go back to school. What a way to finish off the summer.:-)

Thanks for posting this, great memories.

[SNAPS3D]

WOW! I Remember I was sooooo sick I couldn't even stand up without throwing up. All I could do was lay there, and this was the same night JAWS premired on tv. I was 8 years old, and it was the 1st time I had ever seen JAWS. Even though I was that sick, I laid there watching this and LOVE the whole movie! I LOVE it to this very day.

[dunnydundutta]

Best intro ever,Ernie anderson's voice

[sgtpepper1138]

@dunnydundutta I know, he had such a great voice. They don't make em' like that anymore.

[jayce79]

Nothing cooler than these 'Sunday Night Movie' Into's.

[fromthesidelines]

In the fall of 1979, after eight years on CBS (including daytime repeats), "ALL IN THE FAMILY" [:02] went into syndication on local stations (including KOVR)- the "flagship" was New York's WNEW-TV {WNYW today}, who originally scheduled it weeknights at 7:30pm(nyt).

This was obviously a "special" opening for the "SUNDAY NIGHT MOVIE", as Joel Crager usually "billboarded" the evening's feature presentation.

[shanedawson1fan4eva]

my dad wuz an extra in the first jaws

[Cropsy25]

thats great i remember the first time i saw jaws i was like 10 or 11 i had seen parts of them over the years but it had just come out on dvd and my mom told me 2 get it we had just got a new tv with a dvd player built in i wasnt really sure if i wanted it but then i just got it we all sat down to watch it and from start 2 finish i couldn't take my eyes off the screen this movie made me love movies more than ever i love it

[antonzap]

Ah, I remember the days when a movie on TV was an event.

[retrofann1]

@antonzap especially a theatre movie.

[Laceykat66]

A classic in so many ways.

AND a time when the network knew how to sell a movie.

Thanks for the post

[gentjt38]

I remember watching Jaws on tv that very night. Was so cool that someone posted this.

[AngelofAnguish]

In my opinion, Ernie Anderson said it all, "Tonight, the most exciting movie ever made" and "The biggest adventure-EVER." In my opinion, I couldn't have said it better myself!"

[retrofann1]

@AngelofAnguish Ernie's voice over makes it even better.

[sgtpepper1138]

@AngelofAnguish Totally, it's kind of a shame that they don't have announcers on TV like this anymore. Everyone's too happy, they don't get you into the mood for suspense and danger.

[AngelofAnguish]

In my opinion, Jaws-THE GREATEST FILM OF ALL TIME or E-V-E-R MADE-as well as my personal FAVORITE OF ALL TIME! In fact, I watch Jaws, and its sequels, (A LOT) MORE than ANY OTHER mainstream film!

[mebeluvined]

man, i am totally ready for JAWS!

[retro80stv]

@mebeluvined I know! I'm ready to get my popcorn and tune into ABC! :D

[nyyterp]

I miss the days when films were actually good. I loved how movies, particularly blockbusters, were promoted as a major event back then when making their network TV debut. Cable and home video were in their embryonic stages and re-releases were rare and we didn't have the rental/streaming conveniences of today!

ABC also ran a great promo around the time showcasing their upcoming movie lineup which, besides Jaws, also had The Spy Who Loved Me and some others I don't recall.

[HUSKY57887]

Love the anouncer's voice;soooo serious.

[CodyZamboni]

When Spielberg released Jaws to DVD for 25th anniversay, he redid the sound fx. Brody's revolver, Quint's harpoon and rifle, and especially the scuba tank explosion. I prefer the original sound fx.

[bally28]

beauty personified.

[fourstringpredator]

Jaws is still my favorite movie, I hope it is released on blu-ray soon!

[AngelofAnguish]

@fourstringpredator Mine, too! Out of ALL the movies that've been released since movies EVER became a business, Jaws is my ALL time favorite! Here's some BAD news for us Jaws fans: Latest rumour in the movie business is that Jaws is being considered for a (get ready for this) a RE-MAKE! YES, A RE-MAKE! Not only a re-make, but a re-make in 3D! Again, this is ONLY A RUMOUR!

[QuickMovieReviews]

This is so nostalgic!

[JP5466]

Back then it took 4 years for a blockbuster movie to make it to tv !

[coralprincess25]

I am amazed that you have this on tape. Thanks for posting. I remember this night vividly! I had seen the movie three times at the theater in 1975. TV was so exciting back then with only a handful of channels.

[jthomas666]

I remember ALL of this Sunday Night Promo, Gives me Goosebumps for real

[dunnydundutta]

JAWS is a great flick that still holds up today! I live in Massachuetts and go to Edgartown Martha's Vineyard every summer.

[CSFLChampion]

awesome...this promo makes me want to sit down and watch that great movie again

[joeylodes]

Saw Jaws in the theatre in 1975 ... I was THREE years old! My brother got stuck baby sitting me and had a date ... brought me aong for the date ... and I STILL can't even go into a pool alone! haha!

[yodavalentine]

i strongly encourage you not to remake it.

matthew 7, matthew 6:9-13/the messenger acts 3:18-21

[JP5466]

I first saw Jaws in June 1975 in Wildwood NJ. I was 9 years old at the time. The next day was very hot, the beach was filled to capacity, but NO ONE was going in the water... gee I wonder why?

[Victor1970s]

This was event television at it's finest. I remember that day, Sunday, November 4, 1979 like it was yesterday. JAWS was still in my mind, and it was just one year after JAWS 2. The entire family was scared to death, and I was so pissed off that I didn't see the original JAWS at the theatre in 1975. Great ABC intro, especially with the great white shark opening its mouth and showing off its teeth at the end.

[007InMiami]

I saw this telecast. It was the first time I saw Jaws. I had seen Jaws 2 in the theater, but not 1. I thought the second movie was not great, so my expectations were low for the first. Damn, was I in for a surprise. Even my mom who totally hated the second was surprised by how great 1 was. I was 5 when Jaws 1 came out BTW, that's why I missed it the first time.

[Mikeymcguy]

There is no movie with the Title "Jaws 1."

[DixieDevil]

This really takes me back to my childhood. I remember if a good movie like JAWS was coming on, it would come on at 8 pm and bed time for me and my brother was 9 pm, but my parents would make an exception and let us stay up an hour past bed time to finish watching the movie. Those were the days!

[beatlefan64]

Those voiceovers were amazing, just the right amount of "dramatic effect" Until now, I never knew the guys name who was responsible.

The 70's were a great time!

[olddocVenkman]

Classic intro to "Jaws" by Ernie Anderson, the voice of the abc network for the 70's & 80's. When the big blockbuster films aired on t.v. it really was a big deal. The video era hadn't really started yet (this was '79 so I think "Jaws" hadn't even been released on VHS yet). The film was released in '75 then re-released in '77 & '78. "Jaws" was the highest grossing film of all time until "Star Wars" came along in 1977.

[retrofann1]

@olddocVenkman the great tv memories.

[treebella23]

This was a great movie! The 70's r the best years!!

[videozman1]

These promos kept you on the edge of your seat.

[SidJustice1]

Ernie Anderson is arguably the greatest voice over guy ever!! Not to mention, to talk up a movie like this; definitely one of my favs. Shaw totally made this film!

[majik2hanz]

Love the promos for movies with great voice overs somewhere I have an old audio cassette that had the promo for Rocky broadcast premiere

[NascarRacingStation]

Is there a way for you to upload it, i would love to hear it.

[BigDickMcGirk]

The best ones were in the 70's and I rue the day when JAWS Is remade with a fucking CG creation. I love these old promos...soo dramatic...long before DVD and VHS ruined movies.

[kamelion7]

All the remakes are total shit. Look how they fucked about with PSYCHO, CARRIE and THE OMEN. Its because in the horror genre they have run out of original ideas and butcher old calssics like those mentioned. Horror films now are pony. Best ones were in the seventies

[CerebralContusion]

I agree! Oh, don't forget, there were A LOT of GREAT horror films in the early 80's, as well! I just learned that "there's talk" of re-makes of A Nightmare on Elm Street and the Thing (from the 80's).

[emanmark]

Nothing beats the 70's and 80's for films, before all the CG crap. Now they don't even bother with a storyline!

[AngelofAnguish]

@kamelion7 What's the point in doing a re-make? What's the matter with (watching) the original? In my opinion, if it's not broken-don't fix it! The movie business must really lack creativity and originality! In my opinion, the horror genre's "crowning eras" were the '60s (Psycho, Homicidal, and Straight Jacket), the '70s (Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Carrie, and Black Christmas, among others) and the '80s (Dressed To Kill, Silent Night Deadly Night, and Friday the 13th, among others).

[jayce79]

@kamelion7

Could'nt have said it better.

[AnikiDryim]

@kamelion7 Don't forget Early 80's

[kamelion7]

@AnikiDryim Yes, well 80s horror films of note (IMO) are Psycho II, Psycho III, An American Werewolf in London, Fright NIght, Cujo, The Dead Zone, A Nightmare on Elm Street. Thing is, these were ORIGINAL stories and characters - today is a rehash of past classics, butchered in the process, recast with crap actors - you might as well stick with the proper ones!!

[leafyutube]

@kamelion7

Very well put. And I'll only add that most of today's crap is catered toward teenagers. If Jaws was remade today, the shark expert would be 25 years old, the cop would be a rookie, and the fisherman would be an amateur also in his 20s.

[OTownNews]

Big-a** shark + scary Ernie Anderson V/O = nightmares for months.

[dlr1241]

meanmoon75 I think the problem with a remake would be the need to over display the shark. The climatic arrival of the shark is one of the components of this wonderful classic film. Jaws should NEVER be remade. Look what they did to Halloween.

[Death2alQaeda]

Thank you for the childhood nightmare. LOL. I actually remember this one.

[rourke2009]

they did. ever seen deep blue sea. they had those sharks moon walking and shit. It was like Godzilla meets Seaworld. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\and by the way. Halloween remade was awful.

[meanmoon75]

Why is everyone hating on my comment? I know Jaws is a classic and all, but with todays special effects a modern day Jaws with the same story line would be awesome.

[MVR326]

if they had the nerve to remake PSYCHO, I wouldnt be surprised if they took a slap at JAWS.

[meanmoon75]

the psycho remake was terrible! but sometimes they do a good job. Example, Hills have Eyes, Tx. Chainsaw, Dawn of the Dead, Halloween. to name a few.

[MVR326]

Also, INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS back in 1978 was great !

[BigDickMcGirk]

Dawn of the Dead was good, the rest of those mentioned are awful and totally miss the point. Why would anyone remake classics that are perfect as is?

.

[Dac719]

I've seen "Slugs: The Movie" on here along with tv shows, music videos, and other movies. One time, I saw "Jurassic Park" on here, though that video is probably gone by now since I haven't seen it since. So why can YouTube play some movies, but not other movies, as I've already asked in my previous post?

[rourke2009]

other sites do that so much better. Slugs - really? can't you just out walk them or throw salt at them.

[Dac719]

lol, no. You should see this film. Just type in "Slugs: The Movie" or "Slugs horror film" or something like that. It should come up.

[Dac719]

Yes, but my point is that YouTube does play some movies in their entirety. So why some, but not others? Besides, why spend $20, $30 on a DVD when you can watch it for free online at YouTube?

[Dac719]

Does anyone have the actual movie downloaded on YouTube? All I've seen so far are trailers and a couple of short scenes at best. Where's the Part 1, Part 2, etc.?

[rourke2009]

We had to wait til autumn 1981 to see it on British telly.I first saw it on re-release in 1979.I walked in just as the man's leg hits the bay floor. Nearly walked straight out. Best film ever.

[robbatkinson666]

Hey up! If you walked in just as the man's leg hits the ocean floor you'd missed half the bloody film!

[rourke2009]

there was a time you could just walk in and stay to watch the movie over again. if it wasn't for those pesky tramps, we still could.

[toastyplatters70]

I was nine when this came out on TV, and since it was past my bedtime, I was not allowed to watch it...and even though I hated horror movies, I still snuck out of bed, and huddled at the top of the stairs to watch the movie through a mirror in our foyer. Actually one of the better movie watching experiences ive had.

[macmcseboy]

I saw JAWS for the first time that night. I was two.... i stopped watching at the Kintner attack, was scared shitless. But as i grew older I became obsessed with getting over the fear. I read the book when i was 8. T hen watched the movie many times over. I also studdied sharks on my own time. God I love this movie. I still watch it, i have it on DVD... had it on VHS before... fond memories.

[nsvchood]

i saw jaws in the theaters was i was very young and i remember watching this on that sunday night when i was 11. the ads they created for weeks leading up to the TV debut and the ads they played during the movie were amazingly tense. growing up near martha's vineyard, jaws will always strike a strong, nostalgiac chord in my heart.

[cdkreturns]

I remember that night! My mom wouldn't let me watch. I was 8 years old. :)

[cgsguy]

When the "Jaws" movies came on TV. ABC aired the first 2, CBS aired "Jaws 3-D" (which was in-titled "Jaws 3"), and "Jaws: The Revenge" aired in syndication.

[careyleefisher]

WOW! Thanks so much for posting this! This was at a time when a Network Premiere of a movie like "Jaws" was a true event. Back then, movies would air on television and then disappear for a year or more. Now, if you miss the movie when it airs it's no big deal because then either air 2 or 3 showings back to back or you could have recorded it on DVR. This was a true event when it aired on ABC. Thanks so much for posting. This is my all time favorite film.

[EnlightenedRogue]

In 1979 I was 13. "Jaws" was re released in movie theatres for the summer, moved quickly to HBO in early fall then ended up on broadcast television all in a matter of weeks. Imagine seeing a great movie today then having to wait another 4 years to see it again at the movies, let alone cable!! Today, a piece of crap like "Titanic" gets on to cable within a year!

[StuntmanJackR]

Hell, I remember seeing this on television the night it premiered. I was glad I got to see it over the summer when it was released because ABC gutted it. The ad makes me want to watch my DVD of it again soon. Anyone notice that Jaws premiered without a parental discretion advised disclaimer?

[thegirl44]

There was no ratings board when Jaws originally came out in theaters either. Eventually, they added they byline of, "may not be appropriate for small children," to the trailers but there was no R rating on this film because their was no system to deem it as such.

[StuntmanJackR]

There has been a rating system since 1968. Jaws was a PG with a strong disclaimer. It just seems that today discretion disclaimers are given out to just about anything.

[DavidRobertLaman]

The MPAA ratings board began in 1968 ("Jaws" was in released in 1975 with a PG and a "May be too intense for younger children."); I was around then, kiddo. I know.

[thegirl44]

I clarify, there was a ratings system since 1968 but the board dictating that these ratings be advertised and enforced didn't come into effect until the early 80's, eg. advertising the rating on the marqee and in print, an R rating changed from adult accompanyment to absolutely no admission to those under 18. I'm proud of you, another like myself with no shame in advertising that he was around in the 70's, I wouldn't trade that decade, and my experiences in it, in for a million dollars :).

[EaglesMan36]

I remember my whole family watching this the night it came on when I was four. I didn't go into the bathtub for weeks! But Jaws is still my favorite movie ever.

[smay4141]

this was a good movie

[TheCreepingUnknown]

Loving it! I also love the All in the Family ad before it!

[jephsteph]

I remember this night, I was 9 years old. I got in trouble for watching it so me and my sister sneaked downstairs and watched it on a different tv. It was the first time I ever watched Jaws. I had nightmares for months. I think this was one of the highest rated movies ever shown on ABC when it was shown that night.

[angryniggah]

i remember being sick the night this debuted on tv and not having to go in on monday.  i was allowed to bring the little tv from the kitchen into my room and watch the entire thing. jaws seemed to go on forever because of the constant commercial interruptions. the promo was pretty intense. that voice-over chap could really sell a movie.

[cgsguy]

not having to go in on monday, do you mean school or work?

[angryniggah]

elementary school...fourth grade. i do believe the generation gap that lies between gen-xers and the current 20 somethings is perhaps not so much a gap as a gaping, yawning chasm of cultural idiosyncrasies that they'll never be able to fully appreciate. for instance, reminiscences of a non-cable tv movie debut.

[teamballsout]

I disagree with you: High School Musical 2.

Sure, it's a cable movie debut, but it was watched by a majority of kids in a specific age group. This will be what they will be reminiscing about in 15 years.

[ourmrsun]

You are so right. Try explaining waiting all year for Rudolf to come on television.

[ErikHollander]

WOW THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS

I've been regularly checking YouTube for over a year for this bumper. As a kid I had recorded this along with the movie on audio cassette on that night and spent the following years listening to it every day. I had memorized this sucker, and years later I lost the tape. I sooooooooo vividly recall that night: my wild anticipation as I set up my dad's tape recorder, the fresh smell of fall breeze coming into the open window... *Nostalgia factor: all knobs go to 11.

[Rockstarkong]

This is awesome!!!!

[eyeh8cbs]

Were those "Sunday Movie Special" graphics only used that one time? "Jaws" was the first movie issued on DiscoVision laserdisc, late 1978.

[KLXT77]

Could be. I certainly never saw them used again. Funny that you mention DiscoVision. I bought that first MagnaVision player, and "Jaws" was the first disc I owned! Still have 'em both.

[jaybee1973jaybee]

11/4/1979 was a busy news day. On CBS-TV, Roger Mudd interviewed Senator Ted Kennedy about his challenge to President Jimmy Carter. (I don't remember if the "Teddy" documentary was broadcast on CBS at the same hour as "Jaws" on ABC.) Also, the U.S. embassy in Iran was seized that day, beginning the hostage crisis.

[mdumas43073]

@jaybee1973jaybee Yes, the CBS Kennedy special aired opposite "Jaws". Meanwhile NBC was showing Part 2 of the made-for-TV biopic "MacArthur" (starring Gregory Peck as the general). ABC trounced the competition handily, as it turned out.

In other broadcasting trivia, NPR's "Morning Edition" show premiered the following day.

[Hollywoodsteve]

Thank you! Been waiting EONS for someone to post this!