MovieChat Forums > Life on Mars (2006) Discussion > Are key parties a myth?

Are key parties a myth?

posted 15 years ago by jemmerling
6 replies | jump to latest

Just saw Series one, Episode 4. It brings to mind my doubts as to whether "key parties" were a significant phenomenon in that era or just an urban legend.

It seems like the sort of thing where, somebody writes an article in a popular magazine after interviewing a number of "unnamed correspondents", it becomes a meme because the general public is intrigued by the notion, and soon everybody thinks "of course, the 70s, key parties!".

Indeed there is some rationale as to how such a thing might have happened. It is generally understood that in the 60s, there was this huge "sexual revolution" and many who were married before all that came to question the philosophical basis for their marriage. But it still strikes me as rather an extreme response.

Is anybody aware, first-hand, or at worst, second-hand of an actual "key party"?

One other point: I thought the basic idea was that the participants repaired to their respective houses, i.e. the lady went home first then the gentleman used the key to let himself in. The depiction in LoM seems to violate that part of the "tradition".

[–] grendelkhan 15 years ago

It's definitely not an urban myth, as it has been documented on too many reputable fronts. However, it was not as widespread as it was made out and wasn't always done as a "key party"; but, rather, as regular swingers groups. There was plenty of sexual experimentation going on in that era, though moreso amongst people from the more affluent classes. It's a lot easier to do that kind of thing if you aren't weighed down with work, kids and other aspects of the working class/blue collar world. These same groups are also more likely to have been involved in sex clubs and similar groups than the average couple.

[–] chicago85 15 years ago

There were key parties but I think they were more talked about than actually happening. A key party is part of the story in the movie "The Ice Storm" which is set in Connecticut in 1973. That was a good movie which a large all star cast.

More common were swinger parties where couples would go. In fact down in Jamacia some of the resorts around Negril still hosting swinger conventions several years ago. Couples would come there from around the world. Maybe they are still doing it.

[–] graham_525 15 years ago

I know a couple who were at a party in the 70s where all the men put their car keys in a bowl. They didn't stay.

[–] Brennan-8 15 years ago

My grandparents - of all people! - told me about a house on their street where key parties went on. Not that they participated, mind. And this was not a hip urban area, but the most backward place in the universe that isn't in the Middle East.

[–] AltaireIII 14 years ago

Key parties happened. But I think the Swinger lifestyle was more common. When you get down to it, a key party is a pretty stupid way to pair people off. If she's not into you and you are into her then why bother?

Swinger parties are far more different. Both couples want to mess around with other couples and they reach their own pairing off deals.

I know the purpose of the key party was to make sure the homely ones did not get left out of the mix. But come on, if you are a good looking person with a dumpy spouse do you think is is fair you inflict that person on others? If you don't want to sex your dumpy looking spouse then why would anyone else?

[–] 14 years ago

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