What a bizarre reason for a party

Excellent point. Maybe Hitchcock was trying to create an unusual atmosphere with a party with such a theme; ie, something isn't right from the start.

Also, the fellows wanted David's parents there, so they had to come up with a theme which would sound appealing to David's parents. If they had said, "Everyone come over to get drunk", I doubt that the parents would have come.

That Brandon was thoughtful enough to be considerate of his friend's father's interests, that he just goes out and buys a couple dozen - presumably very valuable - first editions, and then just gives them away for nothing? I mean, who the hell does that?

What kind of rich, upper-crust, hoity-toity society is that?

If you're a party-throwing sort, any excuse can be used to have people over and serve cocktails. References to David's parties indicate he hosts parties with some regularity.

Imagine the conversation this way: "I'd like to come over and see that new painting." "You know what, Mark's in town, and I know you'd like to see him. Let's get some folks together for drinks and you can see the painting at the same time."

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Nothing to see here, move along.

As people on this thread have already noted
- Brandon needed to give David's parents an enticing reason to come
- Brandon's parties are mentioned a bit to let us know he arranges get togethers often

Also
- Back in those days people were far more social than they are now, so yes more people had these sort of parties at the drop of a hat (you would, too, if you didnt have a tv but had a maid to clean up afterwards)
- I dont suppose Brandon went out to buy these first editions. I believe he collected these before but now that he had "graduated" to acting out his theories he probably thought he could part with some of his first editions. In his warped mind I think he would have seen it as a worthwhile exchange, taking their first offspring equal to giving his first editions.


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