Watching classic movies is so much more enjoyable with a group of friends. And old movies are that much more fun when you add some cliché movie theme decorations and food. This Friday night, why not share your favorite old classic film with some fellow movie buffs?
Movie nights don’t require much – just comfortable seating, low lights, a DVD player, some popcorn and a much loved classic movie. Clear out a nice viewing area in front of the TV. If you don’t have enough seating, push the furniture to the walls and set up pillows on the floor.
Plan to pause the movie halfway through for an intermission break with snacks and drinks, or dinner.
Leave it to Oriental Trading to come up with movie theme party supplies. If you’re looking for generic old movie theme paper plates, cups, invitations and balloons, look no further. The Oriental Trading party pack also includes a red feather boa (for you, the hostess, of course), a red carpet aisle runner, and a director’s clapboard (for you to say “Cut!” for snack breaks).
No classic movie night get-together would be complete without popcorn. Serve yours extra buttery, just like at the theater, in plastic popcorn containers that look just like the originals.
Your friends may enjoy it so much they’ll want to start a regular monthly classic movie night get-together. And now . . . for the movie ideas, folks!
Psycho
The 1960 Alfred Hitchcock thriller that kept people out of the shower for a long time. Starring Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins.
The movie was known for being shot in black and white at a time when color was more desirable. Hitchcock used white and black to symbolize purity and evil in the film. When picking food and decorations for your Psycho movie party, think black and white.
Turn your house into the Bates Motel by making it as dark and scary as you can. Hang a shower curtain from the front door or flanking the TV set and turn the lights out.
To take it to an extreme, incorporate casaba melons and Bosco chocolate syrup in your menu and see if your guests can guess why. According to Psycho trivia, casaba melons were stabbed for the sound effect to mimic the sound of stabbing flesh. Bosco chocolate syrup was used for blood.
Gone With the Wind
1941 epic story of Civil War Atlanta starring Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable.
“As God as my witness, I’ll never go hungry again!” Keep this famous line from Gone With the Wind in mind when throwing a theme party, and keep your guests well fed. Southern food – collard greens with ham hocks, corn bread, fried chicken, watermelon, sweet tea, mint juleps, and sweet potato pie – will put the gang in the mood for a Civil War South tale.
Short of renting an antebellum style mansion with a winding staircase, recreate the elegance of Gone With the Wind with candles, velvet tasseled table coverings and lots of frills. A gown made out of draperies would be a nice touch, too!
The movie is nearly four hours long, so only die-hard movie buffs need be invited, unless you want to split it into two nights. eHow has more tips for how to throw a Gone With the Wind party.
The Wizard of Oz
1939 musical classic starring Judy Garland.
The Wizard of Oz has a variety of color themes – ruby red slippers, yellow brick road, Emerald City – so make your Wizard watching party a colorful affair. A yellow brick road leading to the party can easily be made from a yellow plastic tablecloth marked with bricks with a black marker.
Corny, kitschy food related to the movie? Apples (remember the apple picking scene?), poppy seed muffins (“Poppies . . . poppies with make them sleep . . .”) and rainbow Jell-O (“Somewhere Over the Rainbow”) should do the trick.
TheWizardofOz.info has ideas for where to find costumes, Wizard of Oz party supplies and more. Ruby red slippers, of the Belgian milk chocolate variety, can be handed out as party favors. They’re available at RubySlippersSpecialty.com.
Because this movie is a favorite for all ages, the Web has many party suggestions for kids’ parties. The Kids Birthday Party Guide has some clever ideas, including this one: “At the top of the driveway, create a balloon arch representing a rainbow. Use a kite string to tie rainbow-colored balloons together, about 12 inches apart. Hang a giant banner near the front door that says ‘Welcome to the Land of Oz.’ Place a sign by the doorbell that says ‘Bell Out of Order. Please Knock.’”
The Godfather
The 1972 blockbuster film about a New York City Mafia family in the 1940s.
Antipasto, oranges, olives, cannoli and espresso are all prominent in the movie. But viewing The Godfather is a great excuse to put on an Italian feast – think of the opening wedding scene and you’ll get hungry enough to start planning your party menu. Don’t forget the red and white checkered table cloths and some good Italian wine.
People who have thrown Godfather theme parties sent in their suggestions to AdultPartyIdeas.com and came up with more than a few good ones. “Invitations were sent to friends that read, ‘The Godfather requests your presence and this is an offer you can’t refuse. Dress as your favorite character from The Godfather,’” writes an Easton, Md., contributor.
High Noon
1952 Western that won an Oscar for its star, Gary Cooper.
If Westerns are your thing – or even if they’re not – this movie is in a class of its own.
High Noon is the ultimate cowboy movie, so ask your guests to come in Western attire, a cowboy hat or cowboy boots. Barbecue, beans, home fries, biscuits and strong black coffee served on tin camping gear might get your movie-watchers in the mood. Use bandanas for napkins.
Buy a child’s birthday party pack for a Wild West party and hand out sheriff’s badges at intermission.
