Short Run

Steven Spielberg faced serious challenges making “Jaws” — from unpredictable weather to mechanical shark troubles — but ultimately created the original summer blockbuster. The final episode of this three-part series explores the groundbreaking techniques behind the classic. Production designer Joe Alves reflects on the challenges of filming on the Atlantic Ocean (“Just finishing the movie was very, very difficult”). Listen to why the film’s legacy endures in cinema, pop culture, and the hearts of generations.

See Edgartown through the eyes of the man who chose Martha’s Vineyard for the set of “Jaws” back in 1973. Production designer Joe Alves walks us through the iconic town and explains how it was transformed into Amity. Along the way, we meet the locals who brought the movie to life — from extras to carpenters, fishermen to cast members. Hear about the challenges and charms of filming in a tight-knit island community, and how “Jaws” forever changed the Vineyard, blending Hollywood magic with New England spirit. In the second episode of a three-part series, discover the people and place that made “Jaws” a lasting cultural icon.

Embark on a journey to Martha’s Vineyard, the real-life “Amity Island,” for the 50th anniversary celebration of the blockbuster film “Jaws.” Through conversations with longtime fans, collectors, and cast members, we discover how Steven Spielberg’s monster movie became a cultural phenomenon that continues to inspire devotion and nostalgia across generations. In the first episode of a three-part series, we explore why “Jaws” still sinks its teeth into audiences half a century later.

When Jaws premiered in June 1975 on movie screens nationwide, it wasn’t just a movie release — it was a cultural event. Audiences were captivated by the story of a quaint island town terrorized by a colossal, bloodthirsty shark. Though originally marketed as a horror film, Jaws has become much more than that. It’s a film that continues to resonate deeply with fans around the world. On the 50th anniversary of this groundbreaking movie, superfans boarded the ferry to “Amity Island” — or rather, Martha’s Vineyard, where Jaws was filmed in 1974. The so-called “finatics” joined an island-wide celebration featuring screenings, autograph signings and reunions. Listen to  Jaws Island, a podcast from WBUR, to explore why, after five decades, “Jaws” continues to sink its teeth into audiences and refuses to let go. Explore iconic filming locations, meet the devoted fans, and uncover the lasting legacy of a movie that still has plenty of fresh blood in the water. Jaws Island is reported and hosted by WBUR arts correspondent Andrea Shea. Episode 1 drops Thursday, Aug 28. 

People are taking steps big and small to move the dial on climate change. This week, in Here & Now's Reverse Course series, senior editor Peter O’Dowd and producer Chris Bentley take listeners across the country for a closer look at projects designed to make an impact. This episode looks at water conservation in the Navajo Nation. Up to 30% of the homes on the Navajo Nation still go without running water. But there’s new hope for many of these arid communities. They’re using solar-powered machines to pull moisture straight out of the air. Each one creates more than a gallon of fresh drinking water every day. Dive deeper into this episode here. Find out more about the Reverse Course series and listen to the previous nine episodes here.