This pamphlet, produced by the Party Entertainment Committee of the New York State C.P. around 1935, is perhaps the most unintentionally humorous piece of literature in U.S. left history. With an unironic formality entirely at odds with anyone’s idea of a party, the pamphlet offers a multitude of micro-managing suggestions for a successful Communist Party social function, beginning with the need for each event to have a coordinating chair and four separate committees (publicity, house, entertainment, and kitchen). The aim of which is to raise money for, sell the literature of, and recruit to, the organization. Everything from how to have guests enter, the kind games to play (communist spin the bottle!), setting up lit tables and mailing lists, who to invite, how to pour the beer and cut the bread, the kind of music, film, and film stars likely to lead to a discussion, and the number of ashtrays, etc. A classic of our movement.

Give a Party for the Party. Published by the Party Entertainment Committee of the New York State Communist Party, c. 1935.

Contents: Committee on Publicity, Committee on House, Committee on Entertainment, Committee on Kitchen. Idea Department [games and events], Literature, Hints. 16 pages.

PDF of pamphlet: http://fau.digital.flvc.org/islandora/object/fau%3A5405/datastream/OBJ/download/Give_a_party_for_the_party.pdf