How to Host an Old Hollywood-Themed Party

Marilyn Monroe is an icon of old Hollywood glamor.

You can host an old Hollywood-themed party as a means to celebrate special events like birthdays, proms, and slumber parties. Create an atmosphere worthy of Marilyn Monroe or Clarke Gable by accenting your space with red, black, gold, silver, and white decorations reminiscent of the glamor that typified old Hollywood. Ask your invited guests to join in on the fun by dressing up in clothing from the period, and give away your props to guests when they leave for the evening.

Things You'll Need

• Balloons (red, black, gold)
• Helium
• Silver ribbon
• Old Hollywood posters
• Life-sized cutouts of old Hollywood stars (optional, if budget allows)
• Table cloths (black and red)
• Film reels
• Silver confetti
• Red roses
• Frank Sinatra CDs
• Old movie soundtracks
• Red felt (wide, long strip)

Instructions

1. Fill red, black, and gold balloons with helium and tie off. Attach a silver ribbon to each full balloon. Separate balloons into numerous clusters and scatter throughout your venue. Purchase a red carpet from a Hollywood specialty store.

2. Hang posters of golden-era celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield, Judy Garland, Shirley Temple, Katherine Hepburn, Audrey Hepburn, Joan Crawford, Vivian Leigh, Bette Davis, James Stewart, Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne, Spencer Tracy, Paul Newman, Clark Cable, Marlon Brando and Cary Grant on the walls of your event venue. Set up life-sized cutouts of these celebrities purchased from a Hollywood specialty store, and allow guests to snap photos of themselves with their favorite silver screen icons.

3. Cover your tables with either black or red tablecloths. Set old film reels in the middle of each table as a centerpiece, and scatter silver confetti around them. Set out vases of red roses on a few of the tables.

4. Play Frank Sinatra CDs in the background to set the mood. Soundtracks you can rent or borrow from famous movies of the 30s, 40s and 50s will also add to the ambiance. Roll out the red carpet for your guests, by stretching a wide strip of red felt from your foyer, down your front steps, and out onto the curb.

Tips & Warnings

• Add the spirit of competition to the evening by having your guests vote for the best-dressed couple of the evening.

• The cost of decorations can add up fast, so if you are hosting an old Hollywood party on a budget, try to find most of your party items at discount shops and thrift stores. Otherwise, you may run out of funds halfway through decorating.

References

• Hollywood MegaStore: Party Supplies
• eBay; Hollywood Party Planning Guide; 2006
• Celebrations; Old Hollywood Themed Oscar Party; Karen Perkins

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Party Supplies Hut: Free Printable Hollywood Party Invitations