The suspects

Fred Astaire

(1899-1987) I am a debonair man and I have sung and danced like no other. People say I gave Ginger class and she gave me sex appeal. I practice all the time. I’m a perfectionist. Dress suggestions: Black top hat and tails. Song: “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off”.

Ginger Rogers

(1911-1995) I am a dazzling singer, dancer and actor. I won an Academy Award for “Kitty Foyle”. When I retired from Hollywood fame, I bought a dairy farm. I am very attached to my dairy cows. Dress suggestions: 1930s type clothes such as a calf-length floral dress. Song: “I’m Putting All My Eggs in One Basket”.

Jimi Hendrix

(1942-1970) I know I am going to be one of the most daring, inventive and influential rock guitarists. But at present, I’m still in the army. Dress suggestions: An Afro wig & thin mustache. You must carry an electric guitar or a cardboard cutout of one and wear at least one large ring. You may like to wear an army uniform. Song: “Voodoo Child”.

Janis Joplin

(1943-1970) I am the first goddess of rock. I have a raw iron soul and sing like a blues mamma. I keep begging God to buy me a Mercedes Benz, but so far he hasn’t. Dress suggestions: Long dark wavy-haired wig worn messy. Flowery or hippy-like dress. Carry a small microphone. Song: “Mercedes Benz”.

John Wayne – The Duke

(1907-1979) I was born Marion Robert Morrison and I have never legally changed my name to John Wayne. I’ve been far more than just a celluloid cowboy. I am a legend – a man who commands respect. Dress suggestions: Ten-gallon hat. Cowboy gear. Add an eye patch.

Marilyn Monroe

(1926-1962) I am a sex goddess, singer, actor and model. I spent part of my childhood unloved in an orphanage but now I’m loved by all the men in the world. I am a member of the “Rat Pack”. Dress suggestions: A white dress with a wide skirt like in her famous photo. Red lipstick. Blonde wig. Song: “I Wanna Be Loved By You”.

Elvis Presley

(1935-1977) I am the King of Rock ‘N Roll. I am also known for moving my pelvis when I perform. I have acted in a large number of movies. I am religious, but I’m not a saint. Dress suggestions: Las Vegas white clingy clothes. Carry a microphone. Song: “Love Me Tender”.

Judy Garland

(1922-1969) I have sung and danced in thirty-two feature films and I am one of the world’s greatest entertainers. I am a member of the “Rat Pack”. Dress suggestions: Wear her “Wizard of Oz” outfit complete with ponytails and red shoes. Song: “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”.

Bruce Lee

(1940-1973) I am a martial arts master and star of many films such as “Enter The Dragon”. I also starred in the TV series “The Green Hornet”. As a child I saw a ghost as a black shadow. Dress suggestions: Martial arts clothes and/or Chinese clothes.

Rita Hayworth

(1918-1987) I am an actress, singer and dancer. My most famous role was as Gilda. Some people have branded me as the screen’s sultry love goddess. I married a prince. My face was painted on the atomic bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima – I’m not sure if this was a compliment or not. Dress suggestions: Wear a glamorous dress that has a slit to show off your legs. Wear long white opera gloves. Song: “Put the Blame on Mame”.

Groucho Marx

(1890-1977) I am the most famous of the Marx Brothers and I am known for my one-liners about elephants and pajamas and so on. I set fire to the first film we made as the Marx Brothers because I thought it was bad. I never work with children or animals except for Harpo. Dress suggestions: Wiry wig, moustache and cigar.

Lucille Ball

(1911-1989) I am the lady who has made thousands of people laugh with my films and TV shows for over 50 years. I dye my hair red and I am not really a redhead. Dress suggestions: Curly redhead wig. Adopt goofy expressions. Song: “Mame”.

Bob Marley

(1945-1981) I am going to put Reggae on the map. I am a Jamaican Rastafarian and I don’t eat salt because of my beliefs. I shot the sheriff (in one of my songs). Dress suggestions: Dreadlocks and hippy type clothes or flowery “tropical island” type clothes. Song: “I Shot The Sheriff”.

Patsy Cline

(1932-1963) I am a country music sensation with a voice people say is never to be forgotten. I started “entertaining” my neighbors when I was only three. Dress suggestions: Country and western clothes including a hat. Song: “Crazy”.

The female witnesses (other famous guests)

Other famous females that may make an appearance at the party include:

Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993) I am a US (Belgian-born) movie actress and I starred in “Breakfast At Tiffanys” and “My Fair Lady” and other movies. I am a special ambassador to the United Nations Children’s Fund. Dress suggestions: Dark, straight-haired wig. Glamorous clothes (possibly dressed as one of her movie characters). Wear a UNICEF badge.

Edith Piaf (1915-1963) I am a great French singer and one of the world’s foremost cabaret and music-hall artistes. I am only four feet ten inches tall and my stage name is Parisian slang for “sparrow”. Dress suggestions: Dark hair and dark clothes. Songs: “La Vie En Rose”, “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien”, the French version of the immortal “No Regrets”.

Mae West (1893 – 1980) I’m a movie actress and I often write my own scripts. I was born in Brooklyn, New York and I had a career in burlesque and later on Broadway. People liked my wit and my tramped up womanliness. And men liked my curves. I’m not like those toothpicks you get in restaurants. I wrote my own plays like “Diamond Lil” and so on. Dress suggestions: Dress in curvaceous flamboyant outfit with long gloves & a handbag. She was buxom so add padding. She liked to cut the top out of her hats so her curls wouldn’t be crushed. She also wore lots of feathers & diamonds.

Marlene Dietrich (1901-1992) I am a husky voiced German born singer, movie actress and Allied war-time entertainer. I acted with John Wayne in “Pittsburgh” 1942, but I’m probably best known for “Blue Angel”. Dress suggestions: Wear trousers & tails, white tie & a hat. Carry a long cigarette holder. Speak about yourself in the third person. Songs: “Clare de Lune”, “The Boys in the Back Room”.

Dorothy Dandridge (1922 -1965) I am a US movie actress and singer. I was the first black woman to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for my role in Carmen Jones. And I won a Golden Globe Award for my performance in Porgy and Bess. Dress suggestions: Glamorous clothes. Black wig.

The male witnesses (other famous guests)

Other famous males that may make an appearance at the party include:

Andy Warhol (1928-1987) I am a US artist, director and actor – famous for creating pop art images of Elvis, Marilyn and Campbell Soup cans. Dress suggestions: Carry a Campbell soup can and a paint brush.

Bing Crosby (1901-1977) I am a famous US singer and actor. I have starred in movies such as “Road to Zanziba”. I sometimes skip rehearsals when I sing with Fred Astaire which really annoys him. Dress suggestions: Sports jacket, tie, white shirt, striped trousers, straw boater hat. Song: “White Christmas”.

Charlie Chaplin (1889 – 1977) I am one of the world’s most famous comedians. I am also a writer, director and movie producer. I have made comedy an art-form. I am close friends with Groucho Marx. Dress suggestions: Dress as the “Little Tramp” complete with moustache, twirling cane, bowler hat, tight black jacket and dark baggy pants.

George Burns (1896-1996) I am one of America’s greatest comedians. I am also an actor, author and vaudevillian. For years, before Lucille Ball and Desi came on the scene, my wife, Gracie Allen, and myself were America’s sweethearts of comedy. Dress suggestions: Carry a cigar.

Louis Armstrong (1900-1971) I am a black US jazz musician, scat singer (a type of wordless singing), and trumpeter. I’m also known as “Satchmo”, which means satchel mouth. I like to see people smile. Dress suggestions: Wear a tight short curly black wig. Carry a trumpet. Speak with a gravely voice. Songs: “Oh When The Saints”, “Hello Dolly” and “It’s A Wonderful World”.

The authorities

Other authorities that may make an appearance at the party include:

Pamela Persimmons – I am a police officer. I love solving puzzles. That’s why I became a police officer. I’m also great at cryptic crosswords. Dress suggestions: Wear a mock police uniform. Carry some crime scene tape (make some out of paper with masking tape attached at the ends). Carry a notepad and pencil.

Dr Virgil Vinessi – I am a police forensic specialist. I love the thrill of finding needles in haystacks. I won’t give up till I find what I’m looking for. Dress suggestions: Wear a lab coat and wear white gloves. Carry some clear plastic bags to collect evidence in.

Ludmilla Lucas – I am Jerry Oilman’s lawyer. I am very conservative and very well-respected in my profession. I have been Jerry’s lawyer for many years but I’m still allergic to his bat collection. Dress suggestions: Wear a suit and look very serious.

The creatures

Some, or all, of the following creatures may also make an appearance at the party:

Selina – I am Jerry Oilman’s son Lorne’s pet black cat. Dress suggestions: Wear black tight-fitting or furry clothes. Add whiskers.

Jerry Oilman – I am the ghost of Jerry Oilman. I am very angry because I didn’t want to die and I intend to find out who killed me and make their life a howling misery. Dress suggestions: Wear a white sheet and white face powder.

Bartholomew – I am a bat. I am related to some of the bats that Jerry killed to add to his sickening collection. I am screeching with anger. Dress suggestions: Wear a Batman cape or similar.