Please read the overview and all the descriptions of the suspects before the party. Sometimes we hide clues in these descriptions.
Overview
It’s 1961. The world’s richest man – Jerry Oilman – has invited anybody who is anybody to his birthday party – the biggest party of all time. Jerry Oilman is an extremely wealthy man. He also has the misfortune of being a very short man.
He made his money in oil. He is eccentric and notorious for his collection of stuffed bats. These hideous black winged creatures hang from the walls and ceiling of his house spooking everyone who enters. Some people consider Jerry Oilman quite batty. Others are less polite.
Tonight Jerry has invited a host of rich and famous people. For example, Marilyn Monroe is here looking for the perfect man. And when you get this many big names together you know there’s sure to be conflict. What Jerry hadn’t foreseen, and what you don’t know, is that something sinister and frightening is about to take place. You will all be asked to work out who is the villain behind this dastardly crime – a crime that will take us all the way to the graveside.
The suspects
Fred Astaire
(1899-1987) I am a debonair man and I have sung and danced like no other. People say I gave Ginger class and she gave me sex appeal. I practice all the time. I’m a perfectionist. Dress suggestions: Black top hat and tails. Song: “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off”.
Ginger Rogers
(1911-1995) I am a dazzling singer, dancer and actor. I won an Academy Award for “Kitty Foyle”. When I retired from Hollywood fame, I bought a dairy farm. I am very attached to my dairy cows. Dress suggestions: 1930s type clothes such as a calf-length floral dress. Song: “I’m Putting All My Eggs in One Basket”.
Jimi Hendrix
(1942-1970) I know I am going to be one of the most daring, inventive and influential rock guitarists. But at present, I’m still in the army. Dress suggestions: An Afro wig & thin moustache. You must carry an electric guitar or a cardboard cutout of one and wear at least one large ring. You may like to wear an army uniform. Song: “Voodoo Child”.
Janis Joplin
(1943-1970) I am the first goddess of rock. I have a raw iron soul and sing like a blues mamma. I keep begging God to buy me a Mercedes Benz, but so far he hasn’t. Dress suggestions: Long dark wavy-haired wig worn messy. Flowery or hippy-like dress. Carry a small microphone. Song: “Mercedes Benz”.
John Wayne – The Duke
(1907-1979) I was born Marion Robert Morrison and I have never legally changed my name to John Wayne. I’ve been far more than just a celluloid cowboy. I am a legend – a man who commands respect. Dress suggestions: Ten-gallon hat. Cowboy gear. Add an eye patch.
Marilyn Monroe
(1926-1962) I am a sex goddess, singer, actor and model. I spent part of my childhood unloved in an orphanage but now I’m loved by all the men in the world. I am a member of the “Rat Pack”. Dress suggestions: A white dress with a wide skirt like in her famous photo. Red lipstick. Blonde wig. Song: “I Wanna Be Loved By You”.
Elvis Presley
(1935-1977) I am the King of Rock ‘N Roll. I am also known for moving my pelvis when I perform. I have acted in a large number of movies. I am religious, but I’m not a saint. Dress suggestions: Las Vegas white clingy clothes. Carry a microphone. Song: “Love Me Tender”.
Judy Garland
(1922-1969) I have sung and danced in thirty-two feature films and I am one of the world’s greatest entertainers. I am a member of the “Rat Pack”. Dress suggestions: Wear her “Wizard of Oz” outfit complete with ponytails and red shoes. Song: “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”.
Bruce Lee
(1940-1973) I am a martial arts master and star of many films such as “Enter The Dragon”. I also starred in the TV series “The Green Hornet”. As a child I saw a ghost as a black shadow. Dress suggestions: Martial arts clothes and/or Chinese clothes.
Rita Hayworth
(1918-1987) I am an actress, singer and dancer. My most famous role was as Gilda. Some people have branded me as the screen’s sultry love goddess. I married a prince. My face was painted on the atomic bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima – I’m not sure if this was a compliment or not. Dress suggestions: Wear a glamorous dress that has a slit to show off your legs. Wear long white opera gloves. Song: “Put the Blame on Mame”.
Groucho Marx
(1890-1977) I am the most famous of the Marx Brothers and I am known for my one-liners about elephants and pajamas and so on. I set fire to the first film we made as the Marx Brothers because I thought it was bad. I never work with children or animals except for Harpo. Dress suggestions: Wiry wig, moustache and cigar.
Lucille Ball
(1911-1989) I am the lady who has made thousands of people laugh with my films and TV shows for over 50 years. I dye my hair red and I am not really a redhead. Dress suggestions: Curly redhead wig. Adopt goofy expressions. Song: “Mame”.
Bob Marley
(1945-1981) I am going to put Reggae on the map. I am a Jamaican Rastafarian and I don’t eat salt because of my beliefs. I shot the sheriff (in one of my songs). Dress suggestions: Dreadlocks and hippy type clothes or flowery “tropical island” type clothes. Song: “I Shot The Sheriff”.
Patsy Cline
(1932-1963) I am a country music sensation with a voice people say is never to be forgotten. I started “entertaining” my neighbors when I was only three. Dress suggestions: Country and western clothes including a hat. Song: “Crazy”.
The female witnesses (other famous guests)
Other famous females that may make an appearance at the party include:
Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993) I am a US (Belgian-born) movie actress and I starred in “Breakfast At Tiffanys” and “My Fair Lady” and other movies. I am a special ambassador to the United Nations Children’s Fund. Dress suggestions: Dark, straight-haired wig. Glamorous clothes (possibly dressed as one of her movie characters). Wear a UNICEF badge.
Bette Davis (1908-1989) I am a husky voiced actress famous for my roles in over 80 films including “All About Eve”, “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” and “The Man Who Came To Dinner”. I often played “bitchy” type roles and people say I am “a force of nature that could find no ordinary outlet”. Dress suggestions: Glamorous clothes. Carry a long cigarette holder.
Carolyn Jones (1933-1983) I am the US actress who acted as Morticia in the TV series “The Addams Family”. I also played “Marsha” Queen of Diamonds in the Batman TV series. Dress suggestions: Long dark haired wig. White face. Black lipstick. Long black dress.
Dame Agatha Christie (1890 – 1976) I am a British writer of mystery novels and more profound novels under the penname Mary Westmacott. I have written almost 100 novels, many set in the Middle East where I have travelled with my husband who is an archaeologist. Dress suggestions: Dress as an old English lady (eg silk blouse, tweed skirt, tweed coat or fake fur and pearls and lots of beads).
Donna Reed (1921-1986) I am a US actress. I won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for “From Here to Eternity”. I have my own TV show. Dress suggestions: Glamorous clothes. Add a string of pearls.
Dorothy Parker (1893-1967) I am an American critic, poet and short story writer. I’m known for my satire, terse style and acid wit. Dress suggestions: Dress as a conservative American lady.
Dusty Springfield (1939-1999) I am an English singer. Cliff Richard called me “The White Negress”. I am fanatical about my cats. I have owned 200 over the years, and at one time kept 9 in the same house. Dress suggestions: Add massive false eyelashes. Songs: “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me”, “Son of a Preacher Man”, “I Only Want to Be With You”, “Wishin’ and Hopin”.
Edith Piaf (1915-1963) I am a great French singer and one of the world’s foremost cabaret and music-hall artistes. I am only four feet ten inches tall and my stage name is Parisian slang for “sparrow”. Dress suggestions: Dark hair and dark clothes. Songs: “La Vie En Rose”, “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien”, the French version of the immortal “No Regrets”.
Georgia O’Keefe (1887 – 1986) I am an American painter mainly of flowers, still lifes, desert landscapes and sometimes abstracts. Dress suggestions: O’Keefe is famous for wearing a dark outfit with a white shirt complete with a leather hat. You may like to add a cow horn or skull. She liked to paint outdoors so her skin was dark brown in color. Bring along a sketch pad too.
Grace Kelly (1929-1982) I am a US movie actress. Some people say I epitomize a seemingly cold elegance under which sometimes volcanic passions bubble. I won an Academy Award for “The Country Girl”. I am now married to Prince Rainer of Monaco. Dress suggestions: Glamorous gown with a tiara and long opera gloves.
Greta Garbo (1905-1990) I am a sultry US (Swedish-born) movie actress. I am famous for starring in “Anna Karenina” (1935). I left Hollywood at the height of my fame to become a recluse. Dress suggestions: Wear glamorous clothes.
Ingrid Bergman (1915-1982) I am a Swedish movie actress. I starred in “Casablanca” and “For Whom The Bell Tolls”. I won 3 Academy Awards and was nominated for many more. I left my husband for an Italian director and then annulled my marriage to him years later. Dress suggestions: Glamorous clothes. Brunette wig.
Mae West (1893 – 1980) I’m a movie actress and I often write my own scripts. I was born in Brooklyn, New York and I had a career in burlesque and later on Broadway. People liked my wit and my tramped up womanliness. And men liked my curves. I’m not like those toothpicks you get in restaurants. I wrote my own plays like “Diamond Lil” and so on. Dress suggestions: Dress in curvaceous flamboyant outfit with long gloves and a handbag. She was buxom so add padding. She liked to cut the top out of her hats so her curls wouldn’t be crushed. She also wore lots of feathers and diamonds.
Marlene Dietrich (1901-1992) I am a husky voiced German born singer, movie actress and Allied war-time entertainer. I acted with John Wayne in “Pittsburgh” 1942, but I’m probably best known for “Blue Angel”. Dress suggestions: Wear trousers & tails, white tie and a hat. Carry a long cigarette holder. Speak about yourself in the third person. Songs: “Clare de Lune”, “The Boys in the Back Room”.
Dorothy Dandridge (1922 -1965) I am a US movie actress and singer. I was the first black woman to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for my role in Carmen Jones. And I won a Golden Globe Award for my performance in Porgy and Bess. Dress suggestions: Glamorous clothes. Black wig.
Tammy Wynette (1942-1998) I am a US country and western singer and am the “First Lady of Country Music”. I sang “Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad”. Dress suggestions: Country and western clothes including a hat. Short blonde wig. Songs: “I Don’t Wanna Play House”, “D-I-V-O-R-C-E”, “Stand By Your Man”.
The male witnesses (other famous guests)
Other famous males that may make an appearance at the party include:
Andy Warhol (1928-1987) I am a US artist, director and actor – famous for creating pop art images of Elvis, Marilyn and Campbell Soup cans. Dress suggestions: Carry a Campbell soup can and a paint brush.
Bing Crosby (1901-1977) I am a famous US singer and actor. I have starred in movies such as “Road to Zanziba”. I sometimes skip rehearsals when I sing with Fred Astaire which really annoys him. Dress suggestions: Sports jacket, tie, white shirt, striped trousers, straw boater hat. Song: “White Christmas”.
Charlie Chaplin (1889 – 1977) I am one of the world’s most famous comedians. I am also a writer, director and movie producer. I have made comedy an art-form. I am close friends with Groucho Marx. Dress suggestions: Dress as the “Little Tramp” complete with moustache, twirling cane, bowler hat, tight black jacket and dark baggy pants.
David Niven (1910-1983) I am a debonair English actor, writer and raconteur famous for “Around the World in Eighty days” and “Pink Panther” and many other films. I won an Academy Award for “Separate Tables”. I am good friends with Errol Flynn and Clark Gable. I’m working on my autobiography “The Moon is a Balloon”. Dress suggestions: Dark wavy hair slicked back. Draw little thin moustache on your upper lip. Act like a suave and refined leading man.
edward e. cummings (1894-1962) I am an American poet, novelist and painter. After a printer’s error made my name lowercase, I have gone on to deliberately explore unconventional typography and punctuation. Dress suggestions: Dress as an elderly man (ie conservatively). Cummings was in
the army so you may prefer to don military garb and some medals.
Ezra Pound (1885 – 1972) I am an American critic, translator and poet and leader of the European literary avant-garde. After the war, I was confined to an institution for the criminally insane for many years even though I wasn’t insane. I had just been seen with people before the war that went on to
become fascists during the war. Dress suggestions: Dress as an old man (ie conservatively). Pound lived in Europe a lot so you may like to add a cravat instead of a tie. He also had a red beard.
Gene Kelly (1912-1996) I am a US dancer, choreographer, actor, singer and director. I have even danced with cartoon characters. I directed the movie “Hello, Dolly!” Dress suggestions: Debonair clothes. Carry an umbrella. Song: “Singin’ in the Rain”.
George Burns (1896-1996) I am one of America’s greatest comedians. I am also an actor, author and vaudevillian. For years, before Lucille Ball and Desi came on the scene, my wife, Gracie Allen, and myself were America’s sweethearts of comedy. Dress suggestions: Carry a cigar.
Jerry Garcia (1942-1995) I am a US rock singer, songwriter, and counterculture icon. I co-founded “The Grateful Dead”and I’m the lead guitarist. Janis Joplin told me that if she ever dies, she wants us to play at her funeral. Dress suggestions: Longish white frizzy hair and a white beard. Dark glasses. Tshirt and a guitar. Song: “Broke Down Palace.”
Jimmy Durante (1893-1980) I am a US pianist, singer, actor and comedian. I starred as a Ragtime and Jazz piano player, then gravitated towards vaudeville and later movies and TV. I’m known as the great “Schnozzola”. I like to end my shows by saying “Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are”. Dress suggestions: Big nose and a bowler hat. Often said “ha cha cha” or “Everybody’s gettin’ inta the act!” and “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!”. Songs: “Inka Dinka Do”, “Won’t You Come Home, Bill Bailey?”
Lee Marvin (1924-1987) I am a US actor in many westerns. I admit I drink a little and I don’t sing much. But I did have a huge worldwide hit with “Wandering Star”. Dress suggestions: Ten gallon hat and country gear.
Louis Armstrong (1900-1971) I am a black US jazz musician, scat singer (a type of wordless singing), and trumpeter. I’m also known as “Satchmo”, which means satchel mouth. I like to see people smile. Dress suggestions: Wear a tight short curly black wig. Carry a trumpet. Speak with a gravely voice. Songs: “Oh When The Saints”, “Hello Dolly” and “It’s A Wonderful World”.
Sir Laurence Olivier (1907-1989) I am an English actor, director, and producer. I like to be called “Larry”. Some consider me to be the greatest English stage actor of the 20th century. I starred in “Wuthering Heights” and I won Academy Awards for “Hamlet” and “Henry the Fifth”. I was married to Vivien Leigh. I’ve worked with Marilyn Monroe, but I certainly wouldn’t say it was a pleasure. Dress suggestions: Dark hair combed back. Perhaps dress as a character he played.
Spencer Tracy (1900-1967) I am a US movie actor. I’ve won Academy Awards for “Captains Courageous” and “Boys Town”. I also starred in “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinne”. I haven’t married the love of my life Katherine Hepburn because my religion forbids divorce. Dress suggestions: Wavy dark or grey hair. Perhaps dress as a fisherman as this was one of his most famous roles in “The Old Man And The Sea”.
Thomas S. Eliot (1888-1965) I am an American born, English poet, playwright and critic. I wrote “The Wasteland”, “Murder in the Cathedral” and the poems the musical “Cats” is based on. I won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1948. Dress suggestions: Dress fairly conservatively (e.g., two-tone shoes, trousers, jacket and knitted vest). Eliot liked to wear ties and he wore his hair parted in the middle and slicked back.
The authorities
Other authorities that may make an appearance at the party include:
Pamela Persimmons – I am a police officer. I love solving puzzles. That’s why I became a police officer. I’m also great at cryptic crosswords. Dress suggestions: Wear a mock police uniform. Carry some crime scene tape (make some out of paper with masking tape attached at the ends). Carry a notepad and pencil.
Dr Virgil Vinessi – I am a police forensic specialist. I love the thrill of finding needles in haystacks. I won’t give up till I find what I’m looking for. Dress suggestions: Wear a lab coat and wear white gloves. Carry some clear plastic bags to collect evidence in.
Ludmilla Lucas – I am Jerry Oilman’s lawyer. I am very conservative and very well-respected in my profession. I have been Jerry’s lawyer for many years but I’m still allergic to his bat collection. Dress suggestions: Wear a suit and look very serious.
The creatures
Some, or all, of the following creatures may also make an appearance at the party:
Selina – I am Jerry Oilman’s son Lorne’s pet black cat. Dress suggestions: Wear black tight-fitting or furry clothes. Add whiskers.
Jerry Oilman – I am the ghost of Jerry Oilman. I am very angry because I didn’t want to die and I intend to find out who killed me and make their life a howling misery. Dress suggestions: Wear a white sheet and white face powder.
Bartholomew – I am a bat. I am related to some of the bats that Jerry killed to add to his sickening collection. I am screeching with anger. Dress suggestions: Wear a Batman cape or similar.
