Jay Gatsby’s Saturday parties in
F Scott Fitzgerald might have meant for Gatsby’s sensational soirées to symbolise a multitude of serious things – from the purposelessness of the post-FirstWorldWar American youth to Gatsby’s doomed hope of finding Daisy. But what most readers of the 1925 book remember is how the novel’s poetic prose brings to life the opulence and glamour of the roaring Twenties: that evocative epoch of jazz and jewels, of flapper dresses and fedoras, and of guests reeling from the recent war, who throw caution to the wind and indulge in a kind of decadence never seen before.
The fact that every modern-day party with a 1920s theme draws its inspiration from this novel is evidence of its hold over the imaginations of millions. And, if you’re looking for a visual feast, then look no further than Baz Luhrmann’s beautiful on-screen adaptation. the Rings kicks off with Bilbo Baggins’ long-awaited 111th birthday party. Everything is done in style, from the secrecy surrounding the event planning to the outdoor venue made up of grand tents and pavilions, to the inexhaustible guest list that causes the Shire’s postal offices to break down. Bilbo’s bash is replete with suspense, extravagance and, of course, pyrotechnics of the magical kind (thanks to Gandalf the wizard!).
All this capped off with an actual disappearing act; that’s a party you can’t beat!
Holly Golightly’s party in
immortalised her on screen. Set in New York, in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the party in Holly Golighty’s apartment is a window into the 1940s’ Big Apple.
With strangers from all walks of life – millionaires, socialites, wannabes and military men – milling listlessly in and out, Holly’s guests reflect the lost postSecondWorldWar generation. Add to that the jazz and you could well be in one of Gatsby’s parties from the roaring 1920s. No wonder, then, that Holly is often compared to Gatsby.
Many fans of the film consider the party scene to be one of the best.