Fumble Parties
Back in the early 1950s, fumble parties became all the rage, according to Life magazine (July 14, 1952), which offered this description of them:
A person is chosen 'it' by drawing the high card from a deck. 'It' goes to another room while the other players add and subtract clothes, put on masks or disguise themselves in other ways.
When everyone is disguised, they all fling themselves down into a huddle on the floor, making a confused tangle of bodies, arms, and legs. Then the lights are turned off. 'It' reenters the room and, by fumbling among the tangled bodies, tries to identify a person. If someone is identified, then he or she becomes 'it'. But if the fumbler makes an error he must pay a penalty decided upon by the group.
When everyone is disguised, they all fling themselves down into a huddle on the floor, making a confused tangle of bodies, arms, and legs. Then the lights are turned off. 'It' reenters the room and, by fumbling among the tangled bodies, tries to identify a person. If someone is identified, then he or she becomes 'it'. But if the fumbler makes an error he must pay a penalty decided upon by the group.
So it was a bunch of adults feeling each other up in the dark. Sounds like a swinging good time!
Comments
Alex, I think I'm going to have to agree with you 110%!
Suzy: (grabbing some firm hunk of anatomy) This has GOT to be Tom?
Tom: Damnit, Suzy, I told you my wife was coming tonight!
Suzy: (grabbing some firm hunk of anatomy) This has GOT to be Tom?
Tom: Damnit, Suzy, I told you my wife was coming tonight!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 04/22/14 at 10:12 AM
What's up with the old geezer in the middle? Was he hosting the party?
Posted by RobK on 04/22/14 at 11:16 AM
Reminded me ofThis Patton Oswalt bit! :lol: :coolsmile:
Posted by Tyrusguy on 04/22/14 at 11:31 AM
@RobK: Dying happy!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 04/22/14 at 11:54 AM
Pitiful that it wasn't until 1966 that someone invented Twister -- someone at one of these parties should have thought of it.
Posted by Phideaux on 04/22/14 at 11:58 AM
Anyone else notice the elderly man in the photo who seems to be having the time of his life?!? 😉
Posted by Keefer on 04/22/14 at 03:28 PM
@Alex : Do you have any more pictures from your Grandpa's Photo Album ??
Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 04/22/14 at 03:44 PM
Please tell me this isn't at a church get together....
Posted by BirdsFlewBy on 04/30/14 at 12:50 PM
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Category: 1950s