By Steffen Klenk
From the historic bars and restaurants along Shore Road to the beaches and nightclubs of Bay Avenue, Somers Point is a city rich in history and culture. Today, part of that history is being preserved in a new documentary being filmed by PBS.
Before the start of last week’s beach concert in Somers Point, dozens made their way to the adjacent Tavern on the Bay to be interviewed by PBS for the upcoming documentary. They shared their memories of Tony Mart’s and the legendary 1983 film “Eddie and the Cruisers”. One of those individuals was longtime Somers Point resident Joe Carner, who was a bartender at Tony Mart’s for five years. “Somehow or another I ended up in the movie, and that was one of the biggest things that happened around here at that time.”
Some who arrived for the documentary filming didn’t just share their memories, they also shared memorabilia that came with that time. Jim Witchko of Somers Point brought a framed print of the former Bay Shores Nightclub, which sat along Bay Avenue for decades. “Somers Point was altogether different in the ’80s,” he explained. “It is a fun town, and we’re built around people enjoying themselves, and certainly that movie makes you enjoy yourself.”
“Where Eddie Lives” is the working title of this new project by Steve Rogers. Rogers, a Long Beach Island resident, first watched “Eddie and the Cruisers” at 9 years old. He spoke about how the movie impacted the local community: “Us kids growing up at the Jersey Shore had never seen a movie that portrayed the Jersey Shore before.”
Rogers is also the producer of the Emmy-nominated NJ PBS series “Here’s the Story”, formerly known as “Driving Jersey”. The show focuses on human interest stories through visual storytelling.
Rogers recalled the initial moment he received a call from Michael Paré, who played the role of Eddie Wilson. “To me, it was like I was talking to Eddie from ‘Eddie and the Cruisers’. It was a mind blower for me.”
“Eddie and the Cruisers” was filmed primarily in Somers Point and the former Tony Mart’s nightclub, at the corner of Bay and Goll avenues, in 1982, with additional scenes shot throughout the greater region. Though the film was given a theatrical release on Sept. 23, 1983, it was not a box office success. A year later, in 1984, HBO took a chance and began showing the film daily, attracting wider audiences.
The film’s re-release also garnered renewed interest in its soundtrack. The album, performed by John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, produced two Top 10 singles: “On the Dark Side” peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and made it to No. 1 on the rock charts, while “Tender Years” ascended to No. 10 on the rock charts.
Today, the band retains much success with regular touring performances across the country. John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band are preparing for a star-studded show on Thursday, July 4, at William Morrow Beach. PBS cameras will be on hand for the show.
This forthcoming documentary will also include interviews with the movie’s original director, Marty Davidson. An interview with Carmen Marotta, son of the late Anthony Marotta who opened Tony Mart’s in 1944, will also be featured in the film. The former nightclub brought many musical stars to the legendary venue, including Conway Twitty, Levon & the Hawks, and countless others. Renowned actors and performers from “Eddie and the Cruisers” will be included in this special feature as well, with further announcements forthcoming.
“Here’s the Story” airs locally on NJ PBS. Past episodes can be found online, with updated links and information on the “Driving Jersey” Facebook page.
Photos by Steffen Klenk
