Charity Ball: Difference between revisions

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A very common twist in fiction is for criminals to attempt to steal the proceeds; this was almost the entire use for charity balls in [[Pulp Magazine|Pulp Magazines]] and [[The Golden Age of Comic Books|Golden Age]] [[Comic Books]]. In aid of this, the Charity Ball may also be a [[Masquerade Ball]] to make it easier for the crooks to infiltrate.
A very common twist in fiction is for criminals to attempt to steal the proceeds; this was almost the entire use for charity balls in [[Pulp Magazine|Pulp Magazines]] and [[The Golden Age of Comic Books|Golden Age]] [[Comic Books]]. In aid of this, the Charity Ball may also be a [[Masquerade Ball]] to make it easier for the crooks to infiltrate.


In romance plotlines, it's a chance for the heroine to see some [[Nice to The Waiter|important personality traits]] of her prospective love interests.
In romance plotlines, it's a chance for the heroine to see some [[Nice to the Waiter|important personality traits]] of her prospective love interests.


A subtrope of [[Dances and Balls]]. Compare [[Fundraiser Carnival]].
A subtrope of [[Dances and Balls]]. Compare [[Fundraiser Carnival]].
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* [[Mark Twain]] once wrote a spoof newspaper article about the proceeds of a charity ball being diverted from wounded Union soldiers to a pro-miscegenation society. It was very poorly received.
* [[Mark Twain]] once wrote a spoof newspaper article about the proceeds of a charity ball being diverted from wounded Union soldiers to a pro-miscegenation society. It was very poorly received.
* ''[[Shallow Grave]]'': Cameron is mocked at one of these.
* ''[[Shallow Grave]]'': Cameron is mocked at one of these.
* ''[[Batman the Brave And The Bold (Animation)|Batman the Brave And The Bold]]'': [[The Phantom Stranger]] takes [[Batman]] back in time to witness Bruce Wayne's parents attending one.
* ''[[Batman: The Brave And The Bold|Batman the Brave And The Bold]]'': [[The Phantom Stranger]] takes [[Batman]] back in time to witness Bruce Wayne's parents attending one.
* ''[[Batman and Robin (Film)|Batman and Robin]]'' had one too.
* ''[[Batman and Robin (film)|Batman and Robin]]'' had one too.
* There was one of these on ''[[The Mentalist]]'' to raise funds for the CBI.
* There was one of these on ''[[The Mentalist]]'' to raise funds for the CBI.
* The Casino Night variation appeared in [[Tim Burton]]'s ''[[Batman (Film)|Batman]]''.
* The Casino Night variation appeared in [[Tim Burton]]'s ''[[Batman (film)|Batman]]''.
* ''[[The Mask (Film)|The Mask]]'' with Jim Carrey, also had Casino Night.
* ''[[The Mask (film)|The Mask]]'' with Jim Carrey, also had Casino Night.
* There was an episode of ''[[Castle]]'' where the main cast went to a charity ball in order to track down the murderer of the week.
* There was an episode of ''[[Castle]]'' where the main cast went to a charity ball in order to track down the murderer of the week.
* ''[[Gone With the Wind]]'' has Scarlett O'Hara scandalously go to one (despite being a recent widow) raising money for the Southern cause. There is where she reconnects with Rhett Butler.
* ''[[Gone with the Wind]]'' has Scarlett O'Hara scandalously go to one (despite being a recent widow) raising money for the Southern cause. There is where she reconnects with Rhett Butler.
* ''[[Frasier]]'' features them semi-regularly, usually because Niles, Maris or both are involved.
* ''[[Frasier]]'' features them semi-regularly, usually because Niles, Maris or both are involved.
* Repeatedly in the ''[[Batman]]'' comic books, since Bruce Wayne is a wealthy playboy, and the series started at the tail end of the Great Depression.
* Repeatedly in the ''[[Batman]]'' comic books, since Bruce Wayne is a wealthy playboy, and the series started at the tail end of the Great Depression.

Revision as of 23:41, 8 April 2014

A society dance held to raise funds for charity. Often an important part of the social season, as wealthy folk feel better about their wasteful extravagance if some of the money is going to the deserving impoverished or suffering people. If it's less formal, it may be combined with a Bachelor Auction, and often there will be a "theme" such as "Casino Night" (less dancing and more gambling, with all the house profits going to the charity).

A very common twist in fiction is for criminals to attempt to steal the proceeds; this was almost the entire use for charity balls in Pulp Magazines and Golden Age Comic Books. In aid of this, the Charity Ball may also be a Masquerade Ball to make it easier for the crooks to infiltrate.

In romance plotlines, it's a chance for the heroine to see some important personality traits of her prospective love interests.

A subtrope of Dances and Balls. Compare Fundraiser Carnival.

Examples in fiction:
  • Mark Twain once wrote a spoof newspaper article about the proceeds of a charity ball being diverted from wounded Union soldiers to a pro-miscegenation society. It was very poorly received.
  • Shallow Grave: Cameron is mocked at one of these.
  • Batman the Brave And The Bold: The Phantom Stranger takes Batman back in time to witness Bruce Wayne's parents attending one.
  • Batman and Robin had one too.
  • There was one of these on The Mentalist to raise funds for the CBI.
  • The Casino Night variation appeared in Tim Burton's Batman.
  • The Mask with Jim Carrey, also had Casino Night.
  • There was an episode of Castle where the main cast went to a charity ball in order to track down the murderer of the week.
  • Gone with the Wind has Scarlett O'Hara scandalously go to one (despite being a recent widow) raising money for the Southern cause. There is where she reconnects with Rhett Butler.
  • Frasier features them semi-regularly, usually because Niles, Maris or both are involved.
  • Repeatedly in the Batman comic books, since Bruce Wayne is a wealthy playboy, and the series started at the tail end of the Great Depression.
  • Futurama: "The Mutants Are Revolting" features a charity ball for a mutant scholarship program.
  • The characters on Gossip Girl frequently attend these.
  • Jedi in The Gungan Council that end up hosting the Yule or Masquerade ball usually turn the dance into this.