New Jersey’s Nightmare Amusement Park Gets Its Own Horror Film

Written By Mike Greenblatt
Action Park Horror Movie

Remember Action Park in Vernon? It opened in ’78 and closed in ’96 after numerous deaths and injuries. In 2014, it re-opened but less than two years later it had to close down again after more deaths and injuries. Now, inspired by the trauma that the park caused, a new horror film, Traction Park Massacre, from Terror Twins LLC, will be the subject of a panel, moderated by Michael Gingold of Fangoria magazine, at Comic Con ’24 (October 17 at the Javits Center in New York City at 6:30 p.m.) Directors Adam Dubin and Douglas DiMonda will be joined by cast members plus comedian Chris Gethard [from West Orange].

Brooklyn metal band Das Moose has recorded the theme song “Traction Park Massacre (Don’t Cry For Me)” with additional original music by Alex Skolnick (Testament/Savatage) amid a soundtrack of classic metal.

Action Park was one of America’s first water parks. Its poorly designed rides and undertrained/underaged/usually inebriated staff resulted in six deaths to the point of it being called “Class Action Park.” Illegal financial schemes kept it open. Then a flurry of civil court cases became too much to bear when more horrendous accidents occurred. “Super Go Karts” was basically bumper cars at 50 m.p.h. where riders were overcome by gasoline fumes and others injured in head-on crashes. “Battle Action Tanks” was another popular attraction. “Space Shot” had patrons dropping straight down at dangerous speeds. “Sling Shot” was a bungee jump. It caused whiplash. “Cannonball Loop” was a water ride but after too many bloody noses and back injuries, it closed. One can only imagine what other action water rides like “Tidal Wave Pool,” “Aqua Skoot” and “Kamikaze” felt like. A man died on “The Kayak Experience” and numerous injuries occurred at “The Tarzan Swing.” Those were the water rides. Then there were the air rides with injuries too graphic to go into here. 

For more information and ticketing, visit https://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/en-us/experiences/panels/panel-information.html

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Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

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