Lights, Camera, Action! How to Throw a Film Noir-Inspired Oscar Party
When I lived in LA, a joke I often heard was that there is only one season in Los Angeles: Awards Season. (It’s true, by the way!) I’m from Northern California, but my love for movies and the Oscars is very LA. I’m definitely that person who fills out a ballot, reads entertainment news and watches the nominated movies before the big show. Some people have Super Bowl parties, but I have Oscars parties. Any other cinephiles with me? Well today, we’re showing you how to put together an Oscar viewing party inspired by Old Hollywood film noir!
The Inspo
Directors of film noir movies seem to really like dramatic shadows, especially ones that cast black stripes on the characters, like in the movie poster for The Big Heat. We decided to really play up the high contrast black and white throughout the setup of our party.
Bold Stripes
Start with laying out a black and white tablecloth. Then set out treats in black and white colors. Don’t forget to hang a little sparkle on your wall as a party backdrop!
We loaded up our spread with blackberry-infused sparkling water and lots of sweet treats.
Black And White Donuts
Like the black and white cookie, but better.
Ingredients:
For the black half
- ⅔ cup cocoa
- 1 ¾ cups flour
- 1 ¼ cups brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 teaspoons vinegar
- ½ cup butter
For the white half
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions for the Black Half
Whisk together cocoa, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla and vinegar. Add this mixture, along with the melted butter, into the dry ingredients and stir until well-combined
Instructions For The White Half
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and mix well. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg and add mixture to butter mixture. Blend in milk and mix well.
Instructions for Baking
Fill two piping bags with both batters. Pipe one half of a greased donut pan with the chocolate batter and the other half with the vanilla batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
Once cooled, drizzle your donuts with a light glaze. We just melted down store-bought frosting to use as our glaze. Donuts, I think this the beginning of a beautiful friendship.1
Say “hello” to my little friends.2
Giant Clapboard Piñata
Is a party really complete without a piñata? (I think not!) We made this guy out of cardboard, streamers and felt. Brit + Co has a lot of awesome piñata tutorials (like for this ice cream truck piñata) to follow for you to DIY your own!
Here’s lookin’ at you, kid.3
Printable Black And White Popcorn Holders
Popcorn and movies are like Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, a match made in heaven! Serve your friends popcorn as they watch the show in these printable popcorn holders. For extra film-noir drama, make this black and white popcorn for the party!
You had me at hello.4
I’m ready for my close-up!5
This is the stuff that dreams are made of.6
Mmm mmm mmm… I’m on top of the world!7
And that’s a wrap!
BTW, Did you catch any of the movie references in this post? Here’s a key for all the quotes sprinkled throughout the article: 1. Casablanca 2. Scarface 3. Casablanca 4. Jerry Maguire 5. Sunset Boulevard 6. The Maltese Falcon 7. White Heat
How will you throw an Oscars viewing party? Share photos with us on Instagram using the hashtag #britstagram!
DIY Production and Styling: Irene Lee
Photography: Chris Andre
Recipes: King Arthur Flour and Food
