American Genre Film Archive

Wildwood, NJ

Regular Price: $28.99

Sale Price: $28.99
Regular Price: $41.98

Sold Out

Unit Price: per

SKU: AGFA-075 SLIP

Quantity - +

Only 483 left in stock

Limit of 1 per customer

My checklist

Have it Need it

Need a protector for the Limited Edition? Add this:

Slipcover Protector

Regular Price: $3.00

Sale Price: $3.00
Regular Price

Unit Price: per

Details

2026 Subscribers: This is NOT included in your Subscription. If you'd like to purchase it, you will need to login to view your special 50% off SRP pricing.

This special limited edition spot gloss slipcover is limited to 2,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.

Presented in partnership with Something Weird Video...

The American Genre Film Archive (AGFA) represents the world's largest theatrical catalog of exploitation cinema. Their home video line presents a diverse selection of movies, ranging from new preservations of classics from the vast library of Something Weird to the wildest in shot-on-video (SOV) titles. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing this diverse and unique home video line!

Everyone needs more Wildwood, NJ in their lives. Shot on dreamy Super 8 film by directors Ruth Leitman and Carol Weaks Cassidy with an all-women crew, this documentary shines a light on the lives of women from Wildwood, New Jersey—the last great American carnival town. From go-go dancers to girls who work as vampires in the boardwalk haunted house, the film moves beyond big hair and press-on nails to look into the souls of women raised on the boardwalk's rides, neon lights, and beaches. It’s easy to see why Lana Del Rey included footage from the movie in her "Diet Mountain Dew" music video. Plus: this release also includes found media sensation Girls at the Carnival and cinéma vérité wonder Mall City—two films that feel like spiritual cousins to our friends in Wildwood.

directed by: Ruth Leitman, Carol Weaks Cassidy
starring: various
1994 / 59 min / 1.33:1 / English DTS-HD MA 1.0

Additional info:

Region Free Blu-ray
Preserved from the original DigiBeta tape master
Commentary with co-director Ruth Leitman, moderated by Lauren Servideo
GIRLS AT THE CARNIVAL (1998, 23 mins.), a found VHS tape that was filmed in Ohio
GIRLS AT THE CARNIVAL: Commentary with Derek Erdman, who found the tape, and Phil Hootman, who appears in the video
MALL CITY (1983, dir. Hugh Kinniburgh, 48 mins.), a document of 1980s mall culture that was filmed at Long Island’s Roosevelt Field Mall
English SDH subtitles

Overall rating: 4.708861 / 5 from 79 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Wildwood, NJ is a documentary capturing the lives of women in Wildwood, New Jersey, the last great American carnival town. Filmed on Super 8 by directors Ruth Leitman and Carol Weaks Cassidy, the film offers a nostalgic look into the souls of women raised on the boardwalk's rides, neon lights, and beaches. This special limited edition release includes two additional films, Girls at the Carnival and Mall City, providing a comprehensive view of American culture.

Summary topics

Documentary Quality (13%): Customers raved about the doc, praising its quality and familiarity with the area it is from.
Nostalgic Regional Documentary (20%): Many customers expressed appreciation for the documentary, stating that it is a fantastic and nostalgic regional documentary.

Review topics: ["looks","packaging","documentary","film","doc","capsule","release","extras","features","disc","portrayal","agfa","slipcover","movie","place","watch","treatment","women","girls","director","transfer"].

Review highlights

"A fantastic time capsule with some great extras including a mall documentary filmed in LI." — Jared L.
"Great little time capsule" — Kev B.
"A fantastic documentary that serves as a time capsule of the mid 90s!" — Paul H.

Reviews

Truly enjoyed the Wildwood, NJ blu ray package!

"We have been to Wildwood many times, and we love it there and because of that I wanted to see this film! It was actually a little different than I expected it to be story wise - but I still really enjoyed it! I watched it twice and the second time with the commentary because I wanted to hear some of the back story behind it and the characters in it. The one thing I can say is I only wish it was a longer film but what makes it really cool is that it was shot on 8mm and it really has a classic look to it! I really enjoyed the extras included as well. I'm glad I bought a copy!"

— William B. (5/5)

AGFA

"AGFA never ceases to amaze with these little slice of life releases. Brings me back to a time that isn't around anymore. Gonna be down the shore this summer and Wildwood is always a trip."

— Tony Z. (5/5)

Great document.

"Really interesting short doc that captures a slice of a very specific place at a very specific time. Really glad I picked this up. Looking forward to the bonus features!"

— Michael K. (4/5)

I Luv NJ

"Fantastic little regional doc. Gorgeous, grainy photography."

— Yaniv K. (5/5)

Mumblecore doc

"A documentary capturing everyday New Jerseyans in the early 1990s, featuring mostly young people speaking candidly about daily life. The film lacks a clear narrative or purpose beyond letting people talk about life. While it offers some nostalgic appeal, it didn't deliver the blast-from-the-past I was hoping for."

— Noel H. (3/5)

for kids who grew up on the boardwalk

"i’ve never been to Wildwood, NJ but i’ve been to Ocean City, MD at least once a year every year since i was born. if you haven’t experienced it yourself, it’s hard to describe but this film comes close"

— Jeffrey M. (5/5)

Entertaining Time Capsule

"Wildwood, NJ is a nostalgic, slice-of-life indie that captures the feeling of a summer down the shore with an easygoing charm. The film leans into small moments and local color, giving it a grounded, almost home-movie authenticity. It’s a low-key watch, but its warmth and sense of place make it quietly enjoyable. Great bonus features!"

— Shawn M. (5/5)

Top Notch AGFA

"A really special release. The main feature is engrossing with unique ladies being interviewed. Some of them making decisions that will change their entire lives. They mention travesty nonchalantly. In 35 years, very little has changed on the Jersey Shore. One of the bonus features centers around a mall in the early 80's. This is also outstanding."

— Alex B. (5/5)

Great Documentary

"Having grown up in the 90s, this film makes me feel all warm inside. The extras that are included are just as good. Definitely worth picking up."

— Shane R. (5/5)

Made me cry

"What an incredible object, just wonderful"

— Nicolas V. (5/5)