A scene from Jaws 3, set in The Neptune Room
Oh, to be a kid in the ’80s! Only then was it appropriate to take a car full of second graders to the movie theater so they could enjoy a viewing of Jaws 3-D, complete with floating limbs, maimed corpses and brutal shark attacks. OK, so this is nothing compared to the actual terror of today’s “Shark Week” on the Discovery Channel, but it’s still funny to me that so many of my friends (and I) were allowed to enjoy repeat viewings of this film while in grade school. Hey, it was rated PG! I give it an A+ for set design, which I didn’t fully appreciate as a child…
Bess Armstrong explains that the shark has a bite radius of 1 yard!
Released in 1983, Jaws 3-D (also known as Jaws 3 and Jaws III) was set at Florida’s SeaWorld, where park employees discover the presence of a baby shark while investigating the disappearance of their colleague, a mechanic named Shelby Overman. Once they take a closer look, it becomes apparent that the baby could not have killed Overman. It’s mother did! And yes, the adult great white shark is inside the park (cue music)!!!
Okay, so this film directed by Joe Alves wasn’t a huge critical success. But we think the underwater lounge where key scenes took place is a true breakout hit! Above we see actress Bess Armstrong demonstrate the bite radius of the great white shark that killed her colleague. It’s a tragedy really, but it’s hard to get too upset while surrounded by mint green and salmon lounge seating, crystal vases and white Deco-style pedestals with gold trim. Welcome to The Neptune Room!!!
Louis Gossett, Jr. surrounded by ’80s swank at its best in a scene from Jaws 3-D
Was The Neptune Room an actual underwater lounge at SeaWorld in the ’80s? We imagine there was some sort of underwater space/restaurant/lounge that existed before filming. But how much did production designer Woods Mackinstosh and art directors Paul Eads and Christopher Horner embellish the space? Guys, if you’re out there, we would LOVE to interview you about this amazing set!!!
On the outside looking in: A sharks-eye view of The Neptune Room
For example, what’s up with that amazing wall mural?! Were the indoor trees added by the set designers? How were the votive candles secured to the tall branches in those fabulous clear vases? Did those cane chairs at the bar stay at SeaWorld after filming wrapped? And more importantly, anyone know what The Neptune Room looks like now? Yes, we at Mirror80 are searching for answers…
Dennis Quaid in a scene from Jaws 3-D
But until then, we have to take the space for what it is… An amazing representation of ’80s swank at its finest, complete with decade-fabulous staples like calla lilies and mood lighting. On a side note, if you’re a fan of Jaws 3-D, check out this amazing home video footage from the first day of filming, which includes a great shot of Dennis Quaid on a jet ski…
Enjoy the rest of your summer, and Happy Wednesday!
Jaws 3D! The best worst movie ever! I want to have a house one day that has a space just like The Neptune Room. Hopefully 80s Dennis Quaid will show up.
Heck I would just like to have a replica of one of those smaller sharks they built for this movie
Ditto on the in-house Neptune Room! And 80s Dennis Quaid as a visitor! Thanks for your comment, Thomas!
Have you ever seen Once Bitten?….the house where the Countess lives is total upscale hollywood 80s chic!