Directed by George A. Romero
Written by Wally Cook
Starring Lincoln Maazel, Harry Albacker and Phyllis Casterwiler
Running time: 52 minutes
Available to watch exclusively on Shudder today

by Rosalie Kicks, Editor-in-Chief, Old Sport

“Remember, one day you’ll be old.”

There is no sugar coating it: growing old is absolute horror.

As I write this review, I just welcomed an intern at my day job. A young whippersnapper with their entire life ahead of them. Meanwhile, I am entering middle age and my days on the merry-go-around may not be coming to a close anytime soon (hopefully), yet there is still a sense of dread. Life moves extremely fast, especially as I get older. Much like when the elderly gent (Lincoln Maazel) in Amusement Park sees the reaper on the carousel, no matter where you go death is always lurking, even in the happiest of places.

Shot in 1973, George A. Romero’s lost film Amusement Park is now seeing the light of day after being tracked down and given a 4k restoration compliments of Daniel Kraus. The film was originally produced by the Lutheran Society who hired Romero to create an educational film with a focus on elder abuse. Upon seeing the finished product the group was horrified and ultimately it was decided not to release it.

Amusement Park opens with a discussion of aging. It addresses the topic of decline not just in a person’s health as they age, but also the lack of accessibility in terms of social infrastructure. As we grow older, less services and resources are available. Senior citizens are often left to fend for themselves in a world of scarce healthcare, diminished family interest and a limited supply of cash. Romero’s film paints one of the true horrors in the world: existence. 

The film is set in a now defunct amusement park in West View, Pennsylvania. It serves as a perfect location to show the main character, an aging, grey-haired man’s descent into absolute despair. One enters an amusement park with hope for fun and, instead, finds himself pillaged. Something that sat with me while watching the film was from the opening when it is said that older citizens are one of our most misused resources within the world. Instead of looking to them for guidance or a window to the past to learn from, we instead take their spoils and leave them to rot. 

This may not be the most stylish film to look at but it is not here to impress with tricks of cinematography or put on the old razzle dazzle with superb production design. Amusement Park puts the message at the forefront. Our lives do not need to end in a sterile white room. We can, instead, live as a more caring society that doesn’t leave others behind. Don’t let the fifty two minute run-time fool you. This may be a flick that does not require a long watch, but it will take residence in your mind for days to come.