How do you weave together the diverse cinematic themes of film noir, surrealism and 1950's Hollywood musicals into one seamless event? That was the challenge Paramount Classics’ vice president of promotions Eden Rosenfeld presented to event planner Amy Courage from Paint the Town Red to produce a premiere party to match the dark and eclectic tone of the studio's moody new movie, The Singing Detective.
Following the film's screening, guests headed to Capitale, where the venue's vaulted ceilings and ornate columns helped to recreate a bygone era that complemented the highly stylized, retro setting of the film. Eerie blue lights illuminated the room, recalling the hallucinations Robert Downey Jr.'s character suffers. A baby grand piano topped with a five-stemmed silver candelabra invoked the musical theme that runs throughout the film.
Bartenders dressed in 50's-inspired dark suits, satin ties and fedoras served signature cocktails like .phpberry mojitos. Sultry, costumed nurses—Katie Holmes plays a nurse who helps Downey's character—greeted guests and roved around the party serving trays of little blue pills in mini-medicine cups. "Creativity doesn’t have to be expensive," Courage said of her idea to buy the Dixie cups at medical supply stores and use jelly beans for pills.
"Incorporating everything from the movie was challenging, but since guests came directly from the screening, it all really came together for them," Courage said. "The feedback has been great."
––Alesandra Dubin
Following the film's screening, guests headed to Capitale, where the venue's vaulted ceilings and ornate columns helped to recreate a bygone era that complemented the highly stylized, retro setting of the film. Eerie blue lights illuminated the room, recalling the hallucinations Robert Downey Jr.'s character suffers. A baby grand piano topped with a five-stemmed silver candelabra invoked the musical theme that runs throughout the film.
Bartenders dressed in 50's-inspired dark suits, satin ties and fedoras served signature cocktails like .phpberry mojitos. Sultry, costumed nurses—Katie Holmes plays a nurse who helps Downey's character—greeted guests and roved around the party serving trays of little blue pills in mini-medicine cups. "Creativity doesn’t have to be expensive," Courage said of her idea to buy the Dixie cups at medical supply stores and use jelly beans for pills.
"Incorporating everything from the movie was challenging, but since guests came directly from the screening, it all really came together for them," Courage said. "The feedback has been great."
––Alesandra Dubin
Eerie blue lights illuminated Capitale for the premiere party for The Singing Detective.
Bartenders dressed in 50's-inspired dark suits, satin ties and fedoras, and sultry, costumed nurses were inspired by the film's offbeat mix of film noir and 1950's Hollywood musical styles and its hospital setting.
To reference the film's hospital setting, blue jelly beans in small Dixie cups mimicked mini-medicine cups.
