Catalina attraction adds new exhibit

It’s getting scary around here thanks to the Catalina Island Museum. This spring, the Catalina attraction has two new exhibits that – at least in days past – curled the toes and brought a shiver to the spine.

In 1975, it definitely wasn’t safe to go in the water thanks to the first summer blockbuster. JAWS burst onto the cinematic film scene like a freight-train-sized great white shark and the movies have never been the same since. The iconic movie revolutionized film-making, redefined what audiences expected and spawned generations of both scary movies and summer releases.

JAWS: The Art of Fear in Filmmaking explores the creative vision and artistic direction behind the iconic film, thanks to a collaboration with Production Designer Joe Alves. Models, props and photos from the film, which was partly filmed near the island, will be on display until Sept. 16.

Photo courtesy the Collection of Joe Alves.

Top Catalina attraction brings Terror to the Magic Isle

The museum goes back even further in cinematic history for Houdini: Terror on the Magic Isle, an exhibit dedicated to a 1920 film that starred the famous magician as well as incident that imperiled Harry Houdini in Catalina waters while the movie was being filmed. Movie props and ephemera from the movie Terror Island, which was set in the South Seas but filmed on Catalina Island, are showcased in the exhibit.

Houdini’s Terror Island will also have a big role later in the month at the Catalina Island Museum Society’s always popular Silent Film Benefit. A live orchestra will accompany the film when it is screened in the Avalon Casino Theatre. The Silent Film Benefit is scheduled for May 19 at 1 p.m. Tickets typically sell out, so get yours early. Cost is $25 for members and $28 for non-members. Kids ages 3 to 15 are $10.

Photo credit: the Collection of Arthur Moses