Hubtoberfest Features Romero’s The Amusement Park
Romero’s Amusement Park, image via IMDB
Mark your calendars! On Sept. 22, West View Hub will screen George A. Romero’s psychological horror film, The Amusement Park. Although directed and edited by Romero from a screenplay created by Wally Cook in 1975, the film wouldn’t actually be released to the public until October 2019 as a Shudder Exclusive.
By the time Romero began working on Amusement Park, he had already filmed Night of the Living Dead (1968), however, he wasn’t famous for what is now considered to be a staple in the zombie horror genre. There hadn’t even been a word for these undead—people and Romero himself were still calling these monsters “ghouls.” As a result of what felt like a failed film at the time, Romero would continue to work in commercials and television, such as Pittsburgh-local favorite: Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
Not the only one struggling, at the time it was also reported that West View Park was grappling with a steadily declining amusement park industry. It certainly didn’t help that Kennywood was making its big debut in the Steel City, winning over school picnics, events, and more.
By luck, fate, or both, Romero got word that West View Park was offering their park as a shooting location to local churches for PSAs. We can presume that the location inspired something in Romero, as it didn’t take long for him to make the call. Only, instead of filming a standard PSA as he would create for other jobs, he developed something much more thought-provoking on the grounds of the former trolley park.
As the film summary will explain, The Amusement Park follows the abused and neglected elderly with cinematography that showcases the West View Amusement Park as you have not seen it in 50 years. At its core, the movie is a psychedelic, but honest piece, that has the ability to make viewers both uncomfortable—and anxious.
Fast forward to today and the West View Hub has announced it will be hosting a fundraising event to honor West View Park, now a neighborhood shopping plaza rich with history. As a sponsor of the Hub and supporter of lost footage exploration, Image987 and The George A. Romero Foundation (The GARF) detail that the special exhibition and three-part screening will include a video introduction by Romero’s widow and GARF Founder, Suzanne Desrocher-Romero, expert guests, such as Ben Rubin (Horror Archivist from the University of Pittsburgh) and Mike Funyak (author of West View Park: The T.M. Marton Company), in addition to photo opportunities, and more.
Each ticket for the event on Sept. 22 will grant visitors access to one of three screenings and an exhibit showcasing artifacts and archives related to West View Park and The Amusement Park. The screenings will be held at West View Hub and Hubworks on 435 Perry Highway in West View, Pennsylvania. Concessions will also be available for purchase and t-shirts can also be bought during the event’s presale.
All proceeds will go to the West View Hub.
Article written by destiny king
Destiny writes about true crime and thrillers. She likes movies and stories that make you question the world around you, more so than what makes you jump.
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