Game difficulty
Intermediate
Costume suggestions
Classy and elegant! Get Hollywood ready with suits, gowns, and all of the Hollywood glamour.
Time to play
1.5-2.5 hours
Game play
Detective style freeform game where the host can play along
Plot
1950s Hollywood Murder Mystery Introduction To The Theme
The 1950s Hollywood scene was up-and-coming. New stars were emerging every day and people came from around the world to see films and to be part of their creation. Hollywood was becoming a very special place and the film industry was booming. Actors as well as filmmakers were making names for themselves in this new industry. However, as television became popular, some attention was taken away from the film industry and it was causing a stir in Hollywood.
Likewise, in the 1950s, there were controversies in Hollywood as the Red Scare became rampant and fear of communism took over the entertainment business. Celebrities were accused of being communists and it caused stress on the industry. Still, there was plenty of success to be had.
However, one actress’s career was cut short when a prop knife was replaced with a real one. The victim was Susan James and she was killed by her co-star Robert Lore, although he was quickly cleared by the police. He didn’t know that the knives were switched, and he was more horrified than anyone when Susan was killed. The police were looking for the real killer... the true murderer was whoever swapped the knives.
Susan was pronounced dead immediately, at 9:45 p.m. She was killed while the film was rolling. Found near the body was a single black feather, a pearl necklace, a script for Susan’s upcoming movie, and a pen that said ‘Johnson Productions’.
Susan was preparing for a new film role before the murder occurred. She had a promising future, but all of that is gone now.
The suspects were limited to only a few people who could have killed Susan James. Now it is up to you to find out who had the motive, means, and opportunity to kill her. It could be any one of you, but only one is the killer. No one knows who it is, not even the murderer themself. It is now up to you to solve the mystery. Good luck!
Sample Characters (Actual Characters Will Vary Based on Number/Gender of Players)
Jessica is a famous actress. She is the most popular silent film star in all of Hollywood and is recognized everywhere she goes. Jessica has been acting since she was a young girl and is extremely good at conveying her emotions without using words. She is very wealthy and uses a lot of her money to help others, making her even more liked by her fans.
Lydia is a director. She has created many films recently, and all have been successful. Lydia is relatively new to the business but so far, she has been welcomed into the industry and has been able to create many great films with some of the biggest stars in the business, allowing her fame to rise as well.
Caleb Smith is a film critic. He writes for the Hollywood Digest, a very influential newspaper. Caleb is known for being ruthless when grading films and he has caused many films to flop because of his harsh reviews. He loves his job and wants to help people know what to watch and he is not afraid to upset some people in the film industry by giving poor reviews.
Simon is a Hollywood assistant. He has worked for many famous actresses and has become very close with everyone that he worked with. Simon is well liked by many in the industry and is considered by many to be more of a friend than an employee. Simon loves all of the Hollywood gossip and has been known to leak some celebrity secrets to the press, although nothing has ever been traced back to him.
Hope is an actress who rivals Jessica for most famous silent film star. She is extremely successful in the industry and she has many fans who support every film she is in. Hope is known to take any job as long as it pays her well, so she has been in some poorly rated films. However, she is immensely skilled in her craft and is a great actress. She loves going to red carpet events and is usually followed by the paparazzi.
Sally is an aspiring actress. She mostly works as a personal assistant to various actors in Hollywood, but is hoping one of them will give her the opportunity to have her big break. She had always dreamed of being famous, and she was so close; now she just had to get lucky.
What's in the Digital/Printable 1950s Hollywood Murder Mystery Kit
Everything you need to host an unforgettable murder mystery party
Host Guide
Complete instructions for hosting the perfect 1950s Hollywood mystery
Introduction
Set the scene with our engaging story introduction
Character Packets
Detailed character backgrounds and secrets for each guest
Name Tags
Printable name tags for all characters
Voting Forms
Let guests cast their votes for the culprit
Confession
The dramatic reveal of the murderer's confession
Autopsy Report
Forensic details to help solve the mystery
Extras
Bonus materials including invitations and decorations
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