A Cold Case to Warm Your Heart…
Four blackmail victims are summoned to Boddy Mansion for a mysterious—and ultimately deadly—dinner party. Inspired by Jonathan Lynn’s 1985 cult classic Clue, models draped in elegantly beaded gowns exude an air of distrust, suspicion, and—dare I say—murder. Lock in your alibis, and whatever you do, don’t bring a lead pipe to a revolver fight.
The board game that started it all was allegedly invented as a result of British pianist Anthony E. Pratt’s boredom during the air raid blackouts of the second World War. Prior to the war, Pratt had attended many a murder-mystery themed dinner party as an entertainer, recording in his mind all the most blood-curdling sights, scenes, and screams. Later on, as a way to pass the time while sheltering in place, he and his wife translated those memories from evenings at English countryside estates onto a makeshift gameboard on their dining room table. Following the end of the war, Clue was released in 1949—going on to become a multi-million dollar family favorite and the inspiration for not only Lynn’s ‘85 film interpretation, but multiple spin off games and even a traveling musical.
This October, lean into the mystery and let out your inner Tim Curry. But never forget—whether it’s taking bribes on behalf of your senator husband like Mrs. Peacock or allegedly murdering them like Mrs. White—we’re all hiding something.
Credits
Creative Director: Kristina Wise
Creative Team: Miles Ragin, Bianca Justiniano-Padilla, Emma Ogden, Julia Karns
Models: Addie Beene, Gabrielle Leeper, Jolene Lopez, Mar Arab
Hair: Colrain Reed
MUA: Kristina Wise, Addie Beene
Assistant MUA: Maryam Yahya (Salon Vivace)
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Photoshoot Conducted at The Branch Museum of Design- Richmond, VA ⢸ Gowns Courtesy of Lex’s of Carytown
Lynn, J. (1985). Clue [Film]. California, USA: Paramount.
Popovici, A. (2018, June 13). The game clue was borne of boredom during WWII air-raid blackouts. History.com. https://www.history.com/articles/clue-game-origin-wwii
Smith, J. C. (Director). (2022). Who Done It: The Clue documentary. [Film]. ETR Media.