This 1975 article, entitled “Jawsmania,” explains the effects of Jaws’ success throughout the United States.  Aside from the obvious benefits for Universal Studios, which included a line of spin-off products, there was also an important impact on beach communities.  Following its’ release, there was an immediate increase in the number of shark sightings, as everybody seemed to be more on the lookout for sharks.  When a 14 year old girl was attacked by a sea animal, many assumed it was a shark, however the police chief claimed it likely could have been a bluefish.  In Georgia, swimmers killed a sea creature when they saw its dark form underneath the surface- it turned out to be a baby whale.  Because this article is written in the summer of the film’s release, it is very effective in illustrating the power the film had on its viewers.  The article also details the theater going experience, as Jaws was so powerful that it made individuals faint and others leave the theater every time a shark came on the screen.  Spielberg’s scenes worked so that no matter what kind of water real swimmers would later swim in, they would be thinking of Jaws.  Shark-free beaches would now have swimmers trembling, and one man even commented that, “My wife won’t even go into the goddam swimming pool anymore.”  Accounts such as these show the truly stimulating effects Jaws had on its many viewers. Obviously Jaws was too a large degree responsible for all the commotion surrounding sharks that would follow, however Newsweek hints at the idea that it was Spielberg’s power in manipulating the audiences that really accomplished this.  Most shark movies wouldn’t have the impact Jaws had, however the way Spielberg put the film together made it have the lasting impact.  One crucial aspect of this power came from the fact that it wasn’t only gory images that would shock the audience.  Instead, Spielberg constantly used the element of surprise and anticipation to confuse the audience and not allow them to feel comfortable anytime the ocean was being shown.  

In this article, author Joseba Gabilondo discusses Steven Spielberg’s three highest grossing movies: Jaws, E.T., and Jurassic Park. Each of these three movies shares something in common with the others – non-human protagonists. Gabilondo addresses the influences of these three characters and how Hispanic and world cultures are affected by the globalization of Spielberg’s “monsters.”

Gabilondo begins with a discussion about how the shark, alien, and dinosaur, all seem to dominate the other characters in Jaws, E.T., and Jurassic Park, respectively. Furthermore, he points out that the main characters tend to be “white, masculine, heterosexual Anglo-American.” Consequently, when these characters eventually expose of or send away the associated “monster,” the stereotypical role reemerges in the spotlight of the film.

The effect of this process, Gabilondo writes, “...is a globalization that parallels that of America’s neo-imperialist supremacy.” For example, the shark in Jaws could be reduced to just a national problem (“man against nature”), thus excluding other nations from the situation. However, the alien in E.T. is most certainly a problem that must be applied globally. Finally, Jurassic Park actually takes place outside of the U.S., portraying Spielberg’s eventual globalization of his “monsters.”

According to Gabilondo, Jaws was not intended for audiences abroad as much as Spielberg’s later films, which is a logical conclusion because as he gained more experience and success, Spielberg was able to expand his horizons and produce movies with global appeal.