Documenting the impact of the film on island history has been a full-time job over the last two years for Matt Taylor, who is polishing a 300-page account of how “Jaws” was made.

The book, titled “Martha’s Vineyard Remembers Jaws,” includes about 800 never before published photographs of the production snapped by islanders, and 65 interviews with those closest to the filming.

Taylor said readers will be surprised to learn about the impact island residents had on the film’s success, pointing particularly to contributions from Susan and Lynn Murphy.
Lynn Murphy, a Vineyard marine mechanic, was hired to help run the special effects in the water.

“They were having a terrible time with it until Lynn came along and set everything straight,” said Taylor. “Lynn, and his knowledge of how to do things on the water, really saved the production.”

The photos in his book were compiled by “Jaws” fan and memorabilia collector Jim Beller who, despite technology advances that make some of the “Jaws” special effects look rudimentary 35 years later, isn’t worried the movie will lose its luster for the “Avatar” generation of fans.

“If you love a good suspenseful movie, a movie that has everything, or you are a Steven Spielberg fan, see it,” he said. “If you like swimming — think twice.”

Full story here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100707/film_nm/us_jaws

Book website here:

http://mvremembersjaws.com/